It was Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes who stepped in to highlight the pressure Ruben Amorim is under ahead of the Europa League final—though the manager himself struggles to understand why.
Still, Amorim believes a win over Tottenham in Bilbao on Wednesday could shift perceptions of his team.
While many assume Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou could lose his job regardless of the result—even if Spurs end their 17-year trophy drought and secure a Champions League spot—faith in Amorim remains strong at Old Trafford.
That support persists despite United’s poor Premier League form, and there’s no indication that a defeat would change that stance.
However, losing would cost United roughly £100 million in revenue and leave them without European football for only the second time since English clubs re-entered UEFA competitions in 1990.
Asked about the lack of pressure on him, Amorim was about to respond when Fernandes jumped in with a grin:
“He is. Who told you he’s not?”
Amorim fired back with a laugh of his own:
“He wants my job. He’ll be a very good coach, but he has to work on his mindset—he doesn’t know how to deal with people.”
Amorim continued:
“It’s strange. Some coaches here lose a few games and are immediately sacked… it’s hard to explain.
I think people see what we’re trying to do. Sometimes I’m thinking more about the club than about myself.
The board understands we’re dealing with issues that, in context, make everything much more difficult.”
United’s league form has been dire—they’ve only beaten Fulham (among non-relegated sides) since December and have collected just two points from their last eight games, leaving them 16th.
Yet the hierarchy remains confident Amorim is driving long-term change behind the scenes.
“There’s a lot we need to change,” Amorim said.
“The way we train at Carrington, recruitment, the academy—everything. You can’t fix it all by just winning a cup.”
It was as if Amorim was answering the key question many have asked: Who does the final matter more to?
Contrary to popular belief, the answer might not be Tottenham.
For Amorim, beyond the financial boost, winning a major trophy in such a troubled season—marked by layoffs and fan unrest—would be proof that the club is moving in the right direction.
“People will view our team differently,” he said. “It can help us build a future.
“Our club can generate revenue even without the Champions League. It’s a big club, a massive club. But the feeling of winning—of succeeding—can give us the strength we need to keep pushing forward.”
