‘We have to face it’: Utd boss’ backflip as he prepares apology to fans ahead of mass exodus

Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United need to change “a lot of things” but he will not be one of them as the beaten Europa League finalists prepare to finish their dismal season on Sunday.

Languishing in 16th place ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa, United are set for their lowest final position in the top-flight since being relegated in 1973-74.

Amorim’s side wasted their last chance to salvage the season with silverware by losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

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United’s limp display in Bilbao leaves them without European football next term. Questions have been raised over the futures of several players as Amorim tries to revive his team for next season.

A report from the Daily Mirror suggested that every single member of the current squad is up for sale, Amorim even said in the aftermath of the loss to Tottenham that he would quit the club “without any conversation about compensation” if he was no longer wanted.

He backtracked on that statement before the Red Devils welcome Villa to Old Trafford, with reports out of the UK saying that Amorim told players he is staying put despite widespread criticism.

In a column for The Telegraph, Liverpool great and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher questioned whether Amorim is the right person for the job.

Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at the end of the Europa League final soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Source: AP

“At some point during their post-season review of a dire campaign, someone in the Manchester United boardroom will need the courage to ask the toughest question: ‘Did we appoint the wrong manager at the wrong time?’ Carragher wrote.

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe may still believe Ruben Amorim is one of the best young coaches of his generation.

“He may think that, had Amorim not joined United last November, he would have been hired by another top European club and excelled.

“He may also be sure that if United had the same funds to rebuild the team as Amorim’s predecessors had at their disposal, it would be a question of when, not if, United return to the top of the English and European game.

“But in the aftermath of a dismal Europa League final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, the dilemma around Amorim is more complicated than for any of those who have tried and failed at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.”

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Carragher added: “The much-anticipated tactical innovations, and development of younger players, have been non-existent.”

While Amorim seemingly is safe, the likes of Andre Onana, Luke Shaw, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund are set to be shown the door.

Twenty-year-old academy product and England international Kobbie Mainoo was a surprise edition to reports of the list of players to be sold, however.

Captain Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a move to the Middle East, with Al Hilal reportedly setting a deadline next week for a decision.

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes reacts after the UEFA Europa League final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mames stadium in Bilbao on May 21, 2025. (Photo by CESAR MANSO / AFP) Source: AFP

The Portuguese star is reportedly being offered a staggering £65 million (A$135m) per season on a three-year deal by the Saudi club, and he has even offered to leave United if it is in the club’s best interests.

“I have always been honest. I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go,” the 30-year-old said.

“I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days.

“In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.

“If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”

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Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho cast doubt on his own future after complaining about being left on the bench until the final 20 minutes of the final.

The 20-year-old showed his frustration after the loss in Bilbao by saying “obviously it’s hard for everyone. Our season was shit. We didn’t beat anyone in the league”.

“We lacked a lot of things. When you don’t score goals, you always need more,” he added.

“Until we reached the final, I played every round. And I played 20 minutes today – I don’t know. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.”

The Athletic has since reported that Amorim has already told Garnacho he is free to leave.

BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United walks past the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team's defeat in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Asked about those players on Saturday, Amorim told reporters: “The focus now is the last game. I don’t know what is going to happen. We have a plan, we were prepared for both situations - with Champions League and without Champions League.

“We have an idea of the type of squad we want but now we focus on the game because we still have the last game, and we have time to address all these situations.”

United defender Luke Shaw said the players needed to reflect on whether they were good enough to play for the club after the Europa let-down.

But Amorim demurred when asked how many members of his squad he believed are at the right level.

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“We are going to assess the squad. We know what to do, I will say it again, and we’ll deal with that when the season is finished,” he said.

It has been another tough week for Amorim, who has overseen just six Premier League wins since succeeding Erik ten Hag in November.

The Portuguese coach, who joined from Sporting Lisbon, had initially been reluctant to take over mid-season, but insisted he is now happy he did so as it has given him a fuller understanding of the changes required at Old Trafford.

“These six months were really hard,” he said. “We did so many changes inside our club that sometimes it takes a lot, like five years or three years to change all the personnel, and to change a lot of things.

“With all the mistakes that you guys can point to, I know how I want to play and now is the excitement, the moment we can change something.

“In this moment, I’m really glad I arrived six months before the start of a new season. I think we’re going to avoid a lot of the mistakes.

“Now is the time we can use all that suffering to change things in the summer, not just the players. A lot of things need to change in our club.”

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But Amorim will still be held accountable for the mistakes that have been made since he took over in November.

The 40-year-old will apologise to fans for the club’s poor showings after Sunday’s final game of the Premier League season as part of the traditional lap of honour to sign off a campaign.

“An apology is clear. An explanation, you don’t have time,” Amorim said of his planned speech. “I will be honest with the fans and I will say what is in my mind and what is in my heart.”

Amorim said of the lap of honour: “It’s tradition and we have to face it. It will be the biggest mistake if we don’t do that. I know that the manager addresses the public, I will do that because it’s the minimum. The least I can do is to talk with the fans and to say what I want to say. I will decide tomorrow, I have an idea, so we will do that because if there is a season that we need to do it, it’s this one, and of course we will be there.”

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