Ruben Amorim believes Manchester United can use Aston Villa as an example for progression after an incredibly disappointing 2024/25 season.
Manchester United host Aston Villa in the final Premier League game of the season on Sunday.
The Red Devils go into the game after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, but Ruben Amorim will hope his players can bounce back in front of their faithful fans to record a 41st Premier League win against Villa.
United’s defeat in Bilbao was their 20th loss in all competitions this season, but they’re also winless in eight league matches (D2 L6), losing the last three in a row.
Although most of the stats go against United for the game against Villa, only Arsenal (23) have won their final Premier League game of the season more often than United (22).
It will be decided on Sunday whether United will finish 16th or 17th in the Premier League table.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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They’ve consistently competed in the top six of the Premier League, while United are set to finish the season just above the relegation zone.
Villa travel to Old Trafford after securing European football for a third consecutive season. On top of that, they could still secure Champions League qualification for the second year in a row.
Amorim has advised United to use Villa as an example moving forward, identifying ‘stability’ as the key factor behind their progression in recent years.
“They have stability, they are used to fighting for the first places, so we want to do that also, but there are a lot of things that are really good with this kind of club, but when you’re in this situation, you feel it will take time,” Amorim told reporters at his press conference ahead of United’s meeting with Villa.
“But when you are in this situation, you feel it will take time, but we will improve. It’s not [how many] windows, and sometimes we don’t know. Things can change fast. I cannot say how many windows or how many years to reach that point, but we can improve; that is clear.”
Amorim excited to make changes at Manchester United
Amorim doesn’t hide away from the fact it has been a difficult six months for everyone at the club.
Since Amorim arrived at the club midway through the season, United’s position in the league table has worsened.
Amorim is convinced he knows what he wants to do and how he wants the team to play moving forward. He explains why it’s an exciting moment because changes are coming in the transfer window.
United have been linked with a double Premier League swoop involving Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap.
“These six months was hard for all the club, so many changes inside our club, sometimes it takes five years to change all the personnel and a lot of things, changed coach in middle of season and way we played,” Amorim added.
“It has been really tough. Now the part we need to enjoy, to focus on the future and be positive. We know what we want to do and how we want to play. That is clear.
“With all the mistakes, I know how I want to play. Now is the exciting moment that we can change something.”