Despite a harrowing loss in the Europa League final to Tottenham, Manchester United are set to stand by head coach Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils' slender hopes of salvaging their soul-crushing season vanished as they fell 1-0 in Bilbao, missing out on both a trophy and Champions League football. Sitting at 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above Spurs, United conclude their season against Aston Villa on Sunday.
It is their poorest season for 51 years. Although Amorim has managed only six top-flight wins since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, he has pledged to depart with no payout if that's the club or the supporters' wish after this painful setback. But per PA, following the defeat, United's hierarchy still support Amorim, seeing him as key to a long-term rebuild.
Captain Bruno Fernandes has vocally endorsed Amorim, declaring him "the right man" for the club's future vision. Added support comes from Luke Shaw, who is convinced Amorim is "100 per cent the right person" to implement much-needed changes in "mindset" and "standards", a sentiment echoed by colleague Diogo Dalot.
"I'm 100 per cent sure that he's the right man for us because I see it every day," declared the United defender. "The standards that he has, what he demands from us, the view that he has for the club, for the players, for the coaching staff.
"A lot of changes are happening at the same time, but ultimately it's going to be what we do on the pitch. We have to take responsibility from that. Nobody apart from us is going on to the pitch and trying to get results."
The defeat in San Mames has left United facing a season without European football for the first time since 2014-15 and it will have significant financial implications.
Champions League qualification was estimated to be worth around £100million to the Red Devils, who under the guidance of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are tightening their belts and undergoing a second round of redundancies within a year.
Amorim disclosed that United had "two plans" for the upcoming transfer window post-final, and sources close to PA understand that the club's financial strategy for the summer accounted for the potential absence of European competition, though they hoped to avoid Plan A.
While the lack of midweek games next season might afford the Portuguese manager more time to mould the team, the impact of Wednesday's loss is undeniable.
The much-needed rebuild of United will require tough decisions on the current squad, with academy products Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo potentially exiting, along with standout skipper Fernandes.
Due to financial constraints, United have already scheduled a controversial post-season trip to Asia immediately after Sunday's match against Villa at Old Trafford. The reception for the underperforming team is sure to be interesting.
The Red Devils are set to head to Malaysia for a friendly in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 – just a week after the Europa League final – before playing another game in Hong Kong on May 30.
Amorim has confirmed that all of United's first-team squad will participate in what is expected to be a sombre post-season tour.