As Manchester United prepare for a high-stakes Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, manager Rúben Amorim has delivered a sobering truth: even continental silverware won’t salvage what has been one of the club’s most underwhelming seasons.
A place in the Bilbao final and a coveted Champions League spot are on the line when United travel to Spain. But for Amorim, the prize is more about damage limitation than redemption. “We know nothing is going to save our season,” he said. “But this can be huge.”
Since taking over in November, Amorim has managed just 6 wins in 23 Premier League outings, with United languishing far from the Champions League places. He sees the Europa League as a shortcut, an opportunity to reset financially and tactically, even if it doesn’t mask the campaign’s failures.
United’s scoring woes remain a pressing concern. Only four Premier League teams have found the net fewer times this season. Rasmus Højlund’s strike in the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth was just his second goal of 2025, symptomatic of a blunt attack.
They now face an Athletic side that’s conceded just 10 goals at home all season the best defensive home record across Europe’s top five leagues. Amorim knows what awaits: “They are really strong, really intense, especially in the first 20 to 30 minutes. They use the crowd to take the game to a different level.”
Though reinforcements like Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt may return to the bench, Amorim insists the solution lies beyond tactics or personnel. “We have to change the minds of our fans with consistency, good decisions, good recruitment,” he said. “This is a shortcut to Europe but the real problems require time and clarity.”
