Peter Schmeichel has admitted that he does “like” what he has seen from one key figure at Manchester United and he “comes across” well in two important areas.
Ruben Amorim’s men are preparing ahead for their crucial Europa League semi-final encounter against Athletic Club at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
The Red Devils punched their ticket to the semi-finals after Manchester United dumped Lyon out of the Europa League quarter-finals earlier this month.
United have travelled to Spain for the first leg of their semi-final tie on Thursday ahead of hosting Athletic Club for the return leg at Old Trafford on 8th May.
The Europa League has now become an important part of United’s 2024-25 campaign and the Red Devils cannot afford any slip-ups in the tournament.
Ruben Amorim could still lift his first piece of major silverware as United manager before the season is out if the Red Devils capture the Europa League trophy in May.
United could also secure European football for the 2025-26 campaign if their Europa League run is successful and a route back to Champions League football as well.
Athletic Club and the Red Devils’ Europa League semi-final clash at the San Mames Stadium in Spain is slated for a UK kick-off time of 8pm on Thursday.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesPeter Schmeichel speaks out on Ruben Amorim’s project at Old Trafford after Man Utd manager’s arrival in 2024
Ruben Amorim left Sporting CP last November and replaced former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout in the 2024-25 season.
Erik ten Hag’s reign as United manager came to an end last October after a poor start to the Premier League season and the Red Devils have struggled since then.
Amorim will begin the first major overhaul of the United first-team squad that he inherited from ex-Ajax and United boss Ten Hag in the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Radio Times, Peter Schmeichel insisted that Amorim has shown he is a “strong” communicator and has a “strong” personality since his arrival at United.
“I think I’ve seen glimpses of what can be and how it’s going to look when he gets his own team built,” he said.
“I like him. I think he comes across as a strong communicator, a strong personality. He’s someone who doesn’t duck out of anything.
“It is really important for a Man Utd manager to show that kind of mental strength, that he’s on top of things, he knows how difficult this is, but you’re not going to wear him down by asking hard questions and he’s going to face everybody.
Peter Schmeichel on the importance of the Europa League for Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford ahead of the summer transfer window
Schmeichel has claimed that United lifting the Europa League trophy this season would have an impact for Amorim when the Red Devils try to sign players in the summer.
“He’s got his ideas,” he continued.
“Are they going to be the right ones for Man Utd? I think we need to wait until he’s got his own team going.
“You know, winning just changes everybody’s opinion, so he needs to start winning.
“Of course, not expecting that to be now, but very, very soon. If we win the Europa League, obviously, it’s all going to look a bit different in the summer.”
The Red Devils were last in Premier League action under Amorim last Sunday and United clinched a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.