Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to meet in the Europa League final next week and Ruben Amorim might have just stumbled upon a secret weapon.
It’s a crucial fixture for Manchester United, who can secure a place in the 2025/26 Champions League with a win in Bilbao.
Lifting the Europa League trophy would also mark a third piece of silverware in as many years for the club, offering a rare highlight during one of the most turbulent periods in their recent history.
That said, the ongoing issues in the Premier League remain a serious concern and must be addressed under Ruben Amorim next season.
Fortunately for United, their final opponents are also enduring a similarly difficult campaign. In fact, Tottenham Hotspur currently sit just below them in the Premier League standings, as the only non-relegated side beneath United.
Despite both teams having endured disappointing seasons, each still has the chance to finish on a high by claiming European silverware.
Amorim stumbled upon United’s secret weapon for Europa League final
Heading towards the final, it has been clear that Amorim wanted to get minutes in the legs of players like Mason Mount and Amad after their injury problems.
They have both started United’s last two games while Alejandro Garnacho has dropped to the bench in those fixtures. The Argentine had started the previous 16 games for United.
While Amorim will certainly be looking at ways to start strongly against Spurs, he will also need to consider how his team can turn things around if they need to and using the 20-year-old winger as an impact substitute might be a secret weapon the head coach has stumbled into after starting him so often beforehand.
Garnacho’s cameos off the bench in the last week haven’t been great but he’s been able to make positive impacts in such situations before – and it could work once again against a tired Spurs backline.
The likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero would have not played for two weeks going into the final and a fresh Garnacho off the bench could end up causing problems for them.
Garnacho can make major impact off the bench
Speaking recently before the first-leg against Athletic Club, the United boss explained how some players can change the game from the bench.
“They know sometimes the coach will think about the starting eleven but thinking also, all the time, about to make a change that can win us the game. They know that,” he said.
United’s forward depth has been a problem this season and that is the main reason why players like Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund have played so much football.
But with Mount back fit, it feels like the final is the perfect chance for Garnacho to use his attributes from the bench, and he could end up being the man to win United the game.
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