The United manager wants his team to maintain focus and consistency ahead of crucial semi-final second leg
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has cautioned his team against complacency as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.
Despite holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg in Bilbao, United have proved themselves a rather fragile team this season. A case in point is the second leg of the quarter-final against Lyon at Old Trafford, which United were leading 2-0 but collapsed 4-2 in just over half an hour.
United would eventually turn the embarrassment into a historic night of Old Trafford magic by scoring three goals in seven minutes to sink Lyon, but their propensity for collapse cannot have gone unnoticed by Ernesto Valverde as he plots a Manchester heist.
Asked about this weakness in his team, Amorim acknowledged it and said it was important for his players to maintain focus.
“That is clear because also if you look at our season, anything is possible,” said the Portuguese. “We have to understand that one goal can change everything, the momentum of the game, one sending off, you saw it one week ago.
“So, we are prepared to fight to win the game, not thinking about the result [of the first leg].”
Amorim also stressed on the team’s inconsistency, not only between but during games.
“Sometimes during the game we are one team, something happens, and we lose our minds a little bit,” said the 40-year-old. “If you look at our team, we cannot say today what is going to happen.”
