Manchester United have a two-week spell to prepare for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s a chance for Ruben Amorim to win his first trophy as Manchester United head coach, presenting the 40-year-old with an opportunity to win his first European Cup after winning two league titles during his time at Sporting CP.
There is no denying that Manchester United have continued to suffer domestically since Ineos sacked Erik ten Hag, but Amorim remains hopeful he can inspire the Red Devils to success, starting with the Europa League.
United beat Athletic Club 3-1 at Old Trafford to secure their place in the Europa League final against Tottenham, who eliminated Bødo/Glimt in the semi-finals, winning 4-1 on aggregate.
However, it’s been a turbulent season for both clubs, especially in the Premier League. They are both set to finish in the bottom half of the table, despite aiming to compete for the top-four at the start of the season.
United are positioned slightly higher than Tottenham in the standings, but we will be reminded of the fact Ange Postecoglou’s side did the double over the Red Devils in the league this season.
Amorim will be of the mindset that United must change that record by beating Tottenham in Bilbao.
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty ImagesMan Utd challenged with repeating Man City trend
Although United won the FA Cup last season, it was not a season to remember in terms of Premier League results, putting further pressure on then-manager Ten Hag.
United finished 8th in the league but still managed to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Many felt the result was against all odds because United had already lost twice to City in the league, but they were still able to stun Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Interestingly, United will be tasked with achieving the same feat in the Europa League, after losing twice to Tottenham in the league this season.
In their first league meeting of the season back in September, Tottenham beat United 3-0 at Old Trafford before winning the reverse fixture 1-0.
Looking to get his first win over Postecoglou, Amorim stressed that United must think in terms of odds against Tottenham because we can’t keep losing important matches against them.
“First of all, you have to think in terms of odds, it’s hard for a club to lose four times in a row so we can think that way,” Amorim said.
“We have to have a full squad, that is really important. Then we have to study the game quite well, and then we need to have a bit of luck.
“Today, you felt we suffered a goal but we had so many transitions to score a goal and we didn’t score. We have to be clinical in that game.”
Tottenham striker has track record against Man Utd
Tottenham won the second leg of their tie against Bødo/Glimt after a second half goal from striker Dominic Solanke.
The England international will be looking to build on his impressive goalscoring record against United, after scoring five goals against the Red Devils from his time at Bournemouth and now Tottenham.
Solanke, 27, has already scored against United this season in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Amorim’s side.
Dominic Solanke record against Manchester United
United’s defence will be warned not to give him too much space inside the box, but after conceding one goal in two legs against Athletic Club, our confidence should grow in defence.