Rio Ferdinand has made a brilliant point about Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United side that the club’s board must listen to this summer.
Manchester United’s second leg saw them host Olympique Lyonnais, in a tie which they came out of as dramatic 7-6 victors on aggregate.
With the tie level at 2-2 from the first leg, United started on the front foot at Old Trafford. Manuel Ugarte gave them the lead after slick play from Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, and Diogo Dalot made it 2-0 just before the break.
Lyon responded in the second half – Corentin Tolisso pulled one back, and Nicolás Tagliafico brought the aggregate score level. Tolisso was then sent off in stoppage time, giving United a man advantage heading into extra time.
Even so, Lyon went ahead through a brilliant Rayan Cherki strike, and when Alexandre Lacazette scored a late penalty, it looked all but over.
But United refused to quit. Fernandes converted from the spot, Kobbie Mainoo curled in a stunning equaliser, and Harry Maguire headed home the winner in the 121st minute to send Rúben Amorim’s side into the last four in dramatic fashion.
Ferdinand’s brilliant point about Amorim
After the chaos had come to an end, Rio Ferdinand spoke to the TNT panel about how Amorim’s side is not a reflection of him, and that United’s board need to listen to him and support him by giving him the right players.
Ferdinand said, “I think that’s all you can ask for. You want to get through, I said before the game, forget performance, just get through, get into the next round. And they’ve done that, so they’ve got a chance.
“But I think this is a team that isn’t a reflection of him. That’s his biggest disappointment. I think that’s what he wants to get nearer to, and you need time to build that.”
With United now heading to the semi-finals, they will be hoping that some of their stars, such as Amad and Matthijs De Ligt, can return to the pitch to try and help Amorim achieve silverware in his first season.
What does Amorim need?
In a troubled first season, the United manager hasn’t seen many arrivals to help him establish his side in his unique 3-4-3 formation. This has meant that his side has fallen to 14th in the Premier League.
With summer approaching, Amorim will be hoping that his Europa League campaign can improve his chances of attracting the right profiles that he desperately needs to make this team tick.
Read More: Man Utd five things noticed vs Lyon – This is the start of Rúben Amorim’s era (Europa League)
As Ferdinand alluded to, it is no secret that The Portuguese tactician is in need of some depth to his attacking arsenal, with a winger and striker looking like likely additions.
Amorim will also probably be looking at wing-backs, and perhaps a goalkeeper too, and United’s board must listen to Ferdinand’s point and secure him players who can help mould the squad into a true reflection of his ideas.
If his side can go all the way in the Europa League, it may make a difficult campaign worthwhile, as it may help to attract the quality players necessary to bring United back to where they belong.
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