Manchester United coach believes winning the Europa League would not save his side from being one of the worst teams in the Premier League
Manager Ruben Amorim has doubled down on a bold and brutally honest assessment of his squad’s domestic campaign, calling his team potentially the “worst Premier League side to win a European trophy”.
Amorim has made honesty a hallmark of his leadership so far at the Old Trafford club, and believes that the knowledge his team aren’t good enough should be more of a challenge than a condemnation.
“For me, in that moment and you look at Premier League, we are the worst team since I arrived in terms of results. That is my idea,” Amorim told reporters in a pre-match press conference ahead of United’s tie against Athletic Club.
“In the end of the season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history with a European title. So we will not change anything. We know that this season was disappointing.
“I still feel that this season was the worst in the last 50 years.”
Amorim’s claims are not inaccurate, as United have stumbled through a chaotic league campaign riddled with inconsistency, injuries and tactical misfires. The club are 15th in the table and suffering their worst campaign in Premier League history.
Yet, despite the domestic gloom, they remain just 90 minutes away from a European final, with one foot already planted thanks to a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg at Bilbao.
The Europa League final, set for 21 May and in Bilbao as well, offers United a pathway back into the Champions League next season and potentially increased revenue for a squad rebuild.
Alejandro Garnacho, who accompanied his manager to the press conference, took the comments in stride. Rather than reject the criticism, he seemed to embrace accountability.
“We know we are not doing a great job in the Premier League,” said Garnacho. “We follow the rules and tomorrow we will face the game like it is 0-0.
“If we win the Europa League, we will be in the Champions League and we can face the next season with a better mentality.”
