Rúben Amorim has issued a blunt and honest verdict on Manchester United’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season through winning the Europa League.
Manchester United have arrived in Spain and completed their final preparations ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Club — a crucial encounter in Rúben Amorim’s pursuit of European silverware.
The Reds come into the tie off the back of a sensational quarter-final comeback against Olympique Lyonnais, where three quickfire goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire secured a dramatic 7-6 aggregate win at Old Trafford.
Domestically, it’s been a different story. United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers before needing a late equaliser from Rasmus Højlund to scrape a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth.
Now fully focused on Europe, the squad have had time to regroup and sharpen up for what promises to be a high-stakes clash at San Mamés — with momentum and a place in the final on the line.
Amorim issues brutal Champions League verdict
There has been considerable discussion surrounding the legitimacy of either United or Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur potentially qualifying for the Champions League next season by winning the Europa League, given that the two sides are so close to the domestic relegation zone.
Speaking with the press in Spain ahead of the Bilbao tie, Amorim was asked if securing Champions League qualification would be fair amid such a poor domestic season, to which he gave the brutally honest verdict that it may not be.
“I think it is the rules – it is hard to talk about that,” Amorim explained. “You could see it is not fair because the best teams, the champions, should be in the Champions League.
“But you have this competition to give it a value to it. It is like in our league where you win the [FA] Cup and you go to the Europa League.”
The rules are the rules
Ultimately, the point Amorim makes about teams needing to be rewarded for their progress in any given competition is valid.
United are only in the Europa League this season because they defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final under Erik ten Hag in May 2024. To reach that point, they had to beat other Premier League sides, including Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, to secure their spot in the final.
Regardless of their Premier League position, United are the only team across either the Champions League or Europa League that has yet to lose a game in their respective competition. Should they win the Europa League, they will, by definition, be champions.
It is true that the thought of a team who are set to finish well within the bottom half of the Premier League table being granted entry into the Champions Leagu, is, without context, farcile, but should United manage to secure the trophy, beating the other 35 sides to the feat, they deserve their reward.
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