Ruben Amorim has witnessed too much madness at Manchester United since he became head coach six months ago to take a place in the Europa League final as a matter of course.
United has an impressive 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao from the first stage in Spain, but it was only three weeks ago that Lyon scored four goals in Old Trafford in a chaotic quarterfinals.
No wonder that Amorim was worried today about a team with the tendency to 'lose our thoughts' because he admitted that he does not know which United will appear.
History is heavy in their favor. Of the 133 teams in the history of the Europa League – or, before, the UEFA Cup – who have won the first stage of a knockout stage draw from home with three or more goals, they are all claimed.
The chance that Bilbao is turning around are 25/1, and the Basks flew today in Manchester without wounded Dangermen Nico and Inaki Williams who have joined the top scorer Oihan Sancet on the sidelines.
Dani Vivian is also suspended after he was sent away in the penalty incident that waved the draw in favor of United last week.
However, nothing of all this will make Amorim more robust. He believes that a team is leaving 15th in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat in Brentford on Sunday need the insurance of a fourth goal.
“If you look at our season, anything is possible,” he said. 'We must understand that one goal can change everything: the momentum of the game, a shipment. You saw it a week ago. Then we are in Brentford near a draw and we suffer a goal and another.
'Some teams control the story. We can't do that. I feel that we have to score to go to the next round. We will have to suffer a little to go to the final, and we are ready to suffer.
'If you look at our team, we can't say what will happen today. Sometimes we are one team during the game and then we lose our mind a bit.
'Since I arrived, we have been one of the worst teams in the Premier League in terms of results. At the season we can be the worst team in the Premier League history with a European title. '
Bilbao has certainly not given up hope and in Ernesto Valverde they have a coach with first -hand experience with collapses of second leg.
Valverde was manager of Barcelona when in 2018 and 2019 they went from the last phases of the Champions League after building three goals against Roma and Liverpool. The 61-year-old hopes to be on the other side of the comparison tomorrow night.
“We don't give anything, even though we know that we have a very unfavorable result,” Valverde said.
Since last week scored twice on the San Mames, United Captain Bruno Fernandes has been associated with a move to Al-Hilal after it turned out that the Saudi Pro League Club offered him a three-year deal worth £ 200 million after discussions with his representatives.
'It is normal that many clubs want a player like Bruno. He is a leader, he is the captain, so he is really important, “said Amorim.
'But we want to keep the best players, and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world, so our idea has not changed. We want Bruno here. '
Alejandro Garnacho, in addition to Amorim's press conference, was also asked about his future in the midst of relocating a relocation of £ 70 million to Chelsea or Napoli this summer.
“I have a contract here until 2028, so I'm happy here,” said Garnacho, who has overcome a shaky start under Amorim to be one of the most consistent artists in United.
“November and December were very difficult for me, but my mentality is to keep working, to keep trying and showing it to the manager and the staff that I have to play.”