Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has voiced apprehension regarding his team`s potential to falter mentally, stating they tend to “lose our minds”. This concern comes ahead of Thursday`s Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford, despite United holding a comfortable 3-0 advantage from the first leg.
Despite the significant lead, Amorim remains wary, believing the tie is far from decided. He cited recent matches against Lyon and Brentford as examples where the team struggled to maintain control and conceded goals rapidly, suggesting a potential for capitulation.
During his pre-match press conference, the manager explained, “We cannot control, we cannot say what is going to happen. There are some teams that understand the game is going to be like this… and you can control the narrative of the game. But we cannot do that.” He emphasized the need to approach the game with a winning mindset, believing they must score to advance to the final. Referencing the Brentford game, he noted how quickly goals were conceded after being in a better position, acknowledging they must be prepared to “suffer a bit” to reach the final.
When asked about the team`s unpredictable performance levels, Amorim admitted, “Sometimes during the game we are one team and something happens and then we lose our mind a little bit.” However, he also added that the team is showing signs of improvement and increased confidence in their playing style.
Addressing his previous comments from January where he labeled his side the “worst Man Utd team in history,” Amorim stood by his statement, particularly when looking at their Premier League results since his arrival. He stated, “If you look to the Premier League, since I arrive, we are the worst team in terms of results.”
He concluded that even winning a European title would not change the perception of their poor domestic campaign, stating, “In the end of this season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history but with a European title. That will change nothing.” He reiterated that the season has been “really disappointing for everybody,” and based on league performance, it is “the worst one, I don’t know if in history but, for sure, in the last 50 years.”
Marcus Bellamy