Manchester United will host Aston Villa in their final game of a poor season
Ruben Amorim says he will address fans before doing a lap of honour
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By CHRIS WHEELER
Published: 17:30 EDT, 24 May 2025 | Updated: 17:54 EDT, 24 May 2025
Ruben Amorim will issue a heartfelt apology to Manchester United fans on the pitch after Sunday’s final game of the season at Old Trafford.
Amorim will say sorry for United’s worst-ever Premier League campaign and the failure to qualify for Europe for only the second time in 35 years – but admits it would take too long to explain where it has all gone wrong.
‘I know that the manager addresses the public,’ said Amorim. ‘I will do that because it's the minimum. The least I can do is to talk with the fans and to say what I want to say.
‘I will decide tomorrow. I have an idea. An apology I think is clear. An explanation? You don’t have time.
‘I will be honest with the fans and I will say what is in my mind and what is in my heart.’
Amorim also confirmed that he and the players will do a lap of appreciation after the game against Aston Villa even though United could end the season one place above the relegation zone.
Ruben Amorim will issue a heartfelt apology to Manchester United fans on the pitch
Manchester United host Aston Villa just days after their Europa League final loss to Tottenham
Amorim also confirmed that he and the players will do a lap of appreciation after the game
‘We will do that,’ he added. ‘It's tradition and we have to face it. I think it will be the biggest mistake if we don't do that.
‘So we will do that because if there is a season that we need to do it, it's this one. Of course, we will be there.’
Amorim was still hurting from United’s defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham when he spoke at Carrington on Saturday.
He admitted that the problems he inherited at the club were worse than he expected, but is confident United are in a better place after a turbulent six months.
‘It is really hard, I will not try to convince you otherwise,’ he added. ‘It has been a tough season.
‘The problems, for me, were deeper than I was thinking because I can watch, I can feel it during training at Carrington, in all our organisation.
‘Then it’s not the problems, but the instability in our club. Everybody is changing, all the departments are changing. In six months we are doing everything, so everything is more difficult.
‘I suffer like any Mancunian suffer to see all the things, but I think we are making some steps to improve things. You cannot see that because results are so poor, but we are in a better place, I can guarantee you.
The Portuguese boss admitted that the problems he inherited were worse than he expected
‘I am not happier because it’s impossible to be happier, especially after Wednesday and with our results and form in the league. I am suffering like everybody, but I know what we are doing and that gives me positivity and confidence for the future.’
Far from regretting taking the job in November, Amorim believes it means there will be less ‘suffering’ next season.
‘I don’t regret. In this moment, I’m really glad that I arrived six months before we started the new season.
‘We suffered a lot but we are going to avoid a lot of mistakes that would have been in the next season. Now we can use all that suffering to change things in the summer – not just the players, there are a lot of things we need to change in our club.’
Even though a number of players will be saying goodbye to Old Trafford – including Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and possibly Alejandro Garnacho – Amorim will not pick a team on sentiment to ‘respect the competition’ with Villa fighting for a Champions League place.
He indicated that leaving immediately afterwards for a post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong is not ideal, adding: ‘Of course, it's really hard. Everything especially after the final is really hard but we have a responsibility, we have to meet our fans.’