Manchester United takes a 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford for their Europa League semi-final second leg collision with Athletic Bilbao
Ruben Amorim admits that he does not know which version of his Manchester United team will appear on Thursday evening. But the United Boss knows whatever someone does, they will suffer in their make-or-break Europa League semi-final draw with Athletic Bilbao.
Although United has a 3-0 lead of the first stage, where they played against 10 men for an hour, Amorim knows that he cannot take a matter of course, given the whimsical form of his side. United has three times or more on Old Trafford this season
Asked if he was not sure which United Side will appear tonight, Amorim Bot was and said: “Yes, it's hard to say. Sometimes it's not what kind of team we will be tomorrow.
“If you look at our team, we can't say what will happen today. There are some teams in every competition that can understand that the game will be like that.
“Things can change a bit, but the story will be that way and we can control the story of the game. We can't do that.
“So we have to face the game as a game. I have the feeling that we have to score to go to the next round, so that is clearly the way we come across the game.
“We were close to getting the draw against Brentford, but we had a goal and had a different goal quite quickly. That can happen. That happened here four times, so we know that we have to suffer a little to go to the final, and we are ready to suffer and we have to improve the small details in this game.”
Amorim revealed that he only returned the first 30 minutes of the first stage, in which United was under pressure and came close several times to ensure that he and his players do not repeat that shaky opening tonight. “I have often viewed the first 30 minutes and I forgot the rest,” Amorim said. “You can't prepare for a game with 11 to 10, with a 2-0 lead at that time.
“So I looked back the first 30 minutes and I again had the feeling that they were really intense, but that most chances were a bit our fault, that we had lost the possession. It was difficult to find a place where they were building the defense, the midfielders, the attackers, the forward and then created the opportunities.
“So we watched it a few times and show the players the simple moments, to show why we had so many problems in the first 30 minutes.”
This is already the worst season of United of the Premier League era, in 15th place after 16 defeats. A few months ago, Amorim admitted that this could be the worst side in the history of United – even if they win the Europa League and secure Champions League football for next season.
“At that time – and if you look at the Premier League since I arrived – we are the worst team in terms of results,” said Amorim. “At the end of this season we can be the worst united team in the Premier League history – one with a European title. But that will not change.
“We know that this season was really disappointing for everyone, so nothing is going to change. This season was the worst – I don't know or in history – but certainly, in the last 50 years.”
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