Following Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on May 21, 2025, manager Ruben Amorim expressed a willingness to accept his fate should the club decide to part ways with him. The loss in Bilbao marked a painful end to a tumultuous season for the Red Devils, who have struggled domestically, finishing 16th in the Premier League, their worst performance in half a century. Despite guiding United to the Europa League final, Amorim’s tenure has been marred by inconsistency, and his post-match comments have sparked intense speculation about his future at Old Trafford.
Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, has faced significant challenges in his six months at the helm. The Portuguese manager inherited a squad in disarray, with United sitting 14th in the Premier League at the time of his appointment. While he managed to steer the team to an unbeaten Europa League campaign until the final, their domestic form has been dire, with only six wins in 25 league matches under his leadership. The defeat to Tottenham, a team just one place below United in the Premier League standings, denied the club a chance to salvage the season with a trophy and a coveted Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season.
Speaking to the media after the match, Amorim was characteristically honest, acknowledging the disappointment of the loss and the broader struggles of the season. “I only have to share the pain of our fans, they deserve better. We tried everything. About the future, we will see what we are going to do,” he said. When pressed on his position at the club, he added, “If the board and the fans think I’m not the right guy, then I will go in the next day without hesitation.” His remarks reflect a manager under pressure but resolute in his commitment to transparency, a trait that has earned him both admiration and criticism during his time at United.
The Europa League final was seen as a potential turning point for Amorim’s project at Manchester United. A victory would have secured Champions League qualification and provided a positive note to an otherwise dismal campaign. However, Tottenham’s resolute performance, coupled with United’s inability to convert their chances—Amorim noted that his team was “the better team” but “could not score”—left the Red Devils empty-handed. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on Amorim, with some questioning whether he can turn around a squad that has underperformed despite significant investment in recent years.
Despite the loss, reports indicate that Manchester United’s hierarchy, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, intends to retain Amorim for the upcoming season. Sources close to the club suggest that the board believes the 40-year-old deserves a summer transfer window to reshape the squad with players better suited to his preferred 3-4-3 system. This backing comes despite Amorim’s own public doubts about his suitability for the role, having previously described United as the “worst team in the club’s history” after a defeat to Brighton in January. His willingness to shoulder blame and address systemic issues at the club has resonated with some fans, who continue to sing his name at matches, but others remain unconvinced by his results.
Amorim’s tenure has been complicated by factors beyond his control, including a lengthy injury list that saw key players like Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt, and Mason Mount miss significant time. The club’s cost-cutting measures under INEOS ownership have also added pressure, with staff and players facing reduced perks, such as limited complimentary tickets for the final. Amorim himself covered the cost for around 30 backroom staff members to bring family to Bilbao, a gesture that underscores his efforts to maintain morale amid a challenging environment.
Critics, however, argue that Amorim’s record—13 losses in 25 Premier League games and a points-per-match average of 0.96—makes his position precarious. Former United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has suggested that while Amorim will likely remain in charge at the start of the next season, he must show significant improvement in the first three months to secure his long-term future. The club’s recruitment team has reportedly drawn up transfer lists targeting players like Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, signaling a potential overhaul to align the squad with Amorim’s vision.