Manchester United remain behind head coach Ruben Amorim despite Wednesday's damaging Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, the PA news agency understands.
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16:09, 22 May 2025
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Despite the heartbreaking loss to Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final, Manchester United are believed to be firmly supportive of head coach Ruben Amorim, according to PA news agency reports.
The Red Devils' aspirations for silverware and Champions League football next season were dashed in Bilbao, as they succumbed to their first European defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Spurs at San Mames.
This defeat adds to what has already been an abysmal top-flight season for United, who sit precariously in 16th place – just a point above Spurs – before going into the last game of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Although Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag back in November and has claimed only six Premier League victories since then, offered to resign if the club or supporters demanded it post-Wednesday's loss, he reportedly continues to have the full confidence of the club's executives.
Prior to the decisive match, it was thought that Amorim had the complete support of the club regardless of the result against Tottenham, and PA understands this remains the case following the Spanish upset.
Several Manchester United players have stood by Amorim after the dismal outcome, with captain Bruno Fernandes stating Amorim is "the right man" to lead the squad which is still considered a work in progress.
Luke Shaw voiced his belief that Amorim is "100 per cent the right person" to transform the "mindset" and "standards" within the team, a sentiment echoed by fellow defender Diogo Dalot.
The United defender expressed full confidence in the management: "I'm 100 per cent sure that he's the right man for us because I see it every day.
"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."
After a loss in the San Mames final, United face a year devoid of European football for the first time since the 2014-15 season, with implications for the club's finances.
Without Champions League participation, which was thought to bring in about £100 million, the Red Devils, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's guidance, are tightening their purse strings even as they go through another round of job cuts.
Amorim acknowledged the club had prepared "two plans" for transfers after the final. Reports from PA indicate that United had braced for the possibility of missing out on European competition in their financial forecasts for the summer, aiming to veer away from Plan A where possible.
The forthcoming season's clear midweek calendar may offer Amorim valuable time to mould the team according to his vision, yet the impact of Wednesday's defeat remains a significant challenge for the club.
The cost of the much-needed rebuild means tough decisions on the current squad will be needed, with academy products Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo linked with exits along with the likes of standout skipper Fernandes.
The financial situation meant United were already booked in for a controversial post-season trip to Asia immediately after Sunday's match against Villa at Old Trafford, where the reception for the misfiring side will be fascinating.
The Red Devils head to Malaysia for a friendly in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 – a week after the Europa League final – before playing another game in Hong Kong on May 30.
Amorim has confirmed all of United's first-team squad will travel on what is sure to be a gloomy post-season tour.