Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted it is hard to explain how his team are enjoying such differing seasons domestically and in European competition, following the Premier League strugglers’ 3-0 win at Athletico Bilbao on Thursday.
United’s Europa League semi-final first leg victory in the Basque Country ensured they remain the only team unbeaten in European competition this season, in contrast to the fact that they are on course for a worst-ever Premier League points haul.
“It’s hard to explain,” Amorim said. “We have improved in the last games. I don’t look just at the results. We had some games that we won that we didn’t play well, and some games that we lost, but we played well. Sometimes you just need a little bit of luck.
Europa League – Semi Final – First Leg – Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United – San Mames, Bilbao, Spain – May 1, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim REUTERS/Vincent West
“We can win this competition, and in the Premier League, we are just suffering game after game and trying to manage both things with some injuries. Sometimes it’s harder even for the players.
“I know that is hard to understand, but sometimes it’s the context, it’s the way we see things.”
Amorim was at pains to point out that United’s Europa League final spot is not secured, despite three first-half goals giving the visitors a healthy advantage going into next week’s second leg in Manchester.
After their surprisingly comprehensive success, 133 teams have won the first leg of a UEFA Cup or Europa League knockout stage tie by three or more goals away from home, and all 133 have won the tie.
“I think they have to think about the second leg,” Amorim added. “And they have to think more about the first 20 minutes than the rest of the game because the game is going to be tough.
“There is no away goals so anything can change, and that is my message to the players, and we have to think now about Brentford (at the weekend) and then the second leg.”
-Reuters
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