Europa League Victory Will Not Resolve Manchester United's Deep-Seated Issues, According To Ruben Amorim

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Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that winning the Europa League will not resolve Manchester United's issues this season. The team is preparing to face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final's first leg on Thursday. Despite their unbeaten run in the Europa League, United is experiencing a challenging Premier League season, sitting 14th with just 39 points.

In the Europa League, United remains unbeaten with seven wins and five draws. This marks their longest undefeated streak in major European competitions since a 15-game run between November 2016 and October 2017. However, historically, they have struggled against Athletic Bilbao, losing three out of four encounters.

Amorim emphasised that even lifting the Europa League trophy won't solve United's deeper problems. "Nothing is going to save our season," he stated. He believes that fundamental changes are needed within the club to address these issues effectively.

United has faced difficulties scoring goals domestically, netting only 12 times in their last 12 Premier League matches. In contrast, they scored the same number of goals in just four knockout games in Europe. Amorim expressed uncertainty about this disparity, noting that despite creating chances, goals have been elusive.

The team secured their semi-final spot after a dramatic comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals. They won 5-4 in the second leg, advancing with a 7-6 aggregate score. Throughout this Europa League campaign, United has scored 28 goals and leads in shots (222) and touches inside the opposition box (458).

Squad Updates and Future Prospects

Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt have returned to training after injuries but are not yet fit to start. They will be part of the squad for Thursday's match against Athletic Bilbao. Amorim highlighted that while these players' returns are positive, more time is needed to address underlying issues at the club.

Amorim stressed that consistent performance and strategic decisions are crucial for restoring United's former glory. He mentioned that success in the Europa League might secure Champions League qualification and financial benefits but won't fix existing problems.

The focus remains on long-term improvements through better recruitment and academy development. Amorim believes these changes are essential for bringing Manchester United back to its peak performance levels.