Ruben Amorim has revealed a tactical tweak he has made to his Manchester United team ahead of the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United are closing in on one of the biggest games of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era as they prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
After beating the likes of Real Sociedad, Lyon and Athletic Club on their way to the final, Ruben Amorim’s men are now 90 minutes away from securing European silverware.
It has been a dreadful domestic campaign at United this season but this presents the opportunity for a third trophy in as many years and the chance to play Champions League football next term.
Amorim has gone bold with his team selection, leaving Manuel Ugarte out of the side and placing Bruno Fernandes next to Casemiro in the midfield pivot.
Leny Yoro has also returned to the starting team while Mason Mount was chosen ahead of Alejandro Garnacho in the frontline, alongside Amad and Rasmus Højlund.
Amorim explains United tactical tweak in Europa League final
Speaking ahead of kick-off, Amorim has explained the main reason why he has kept Mount in the side ahead of Garnacho, and it is mostly to try and win the midfield battle.
With Spurs lining up with a three-man midfield against United’s two-man pivot, Amorim wants to make sure that one of those number 10s can drop into those spaces like Mount can to avoid an overload in the middle.
“I feel like Mason Mount in this moment gives us a different balance,” the 40-year-old explained on TNT Sports.
“Because he’s really good attacking but also the way he compacts the team and he’s one extra midfielder, and you know that Tottenham put all the the fullbacks and the midfielders inside with a lot of people overloading that that space.
“So my thinking was that to have possession to have a right foot in that position is really important.”
Importantly, as well, Amorim is also thinking about the potential impact Garnacho can have coming off the bench in the second half of the game.
He added: “And to have also speed in the on the bench because we have Amad in the other side, we need to have legs to to change the game.”
Mount and Garnacho will be crucial for United
There is no way to know whether it is the right decision or not to start Mount ahead of Garnacho but it is certainly a big moment for the 26-year-old.
His time at Old Trafford has been so difficult and the semi-final brace against Athletic Club felt like his first big moment in United colours. If he gets another in Bilbao, fan opinion will only continue to turn.
But for Garnacho, this game could still be decided by him and Amorim will certainly be letting him know that.
The Argentine can be an absolute menace off the bench and this Spurs backline are not match-fit. The centre-backs have not played a game in two weeks.
Garnacho can provide a threat off the bench when needed in the second half. Both players, alongside all the others, will be crucial if United want to lift the trophy at the end of the night.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.