Ruben Amorim’s assistant coach, Carlos Fernandes, has admitted it is ‘time to reflect’ after Manchester United lost the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
Manchester United’s Europa League final showing against Tottenham Hotspur was nothing short of embarrassing, marking a bitter end to a forgettable season.
Conceding in the first half due to yet another defensive lapse felt all too familiar—it’s been a theme throughout the campaign. Even more concerning was the toothless attack. Amad showed some spark in the opening 45 minutes but faded after half-time.
Bruno Fernandes had a game to forget, and with the captain off the pace, there was no creative spark from anyone else. To go the entire match without scoring against a Spurs team known for their own defensive issues is simply inexcusable.
United’s issues were as clear as day before the game but feel even more staggering after the defeat, and changes need to be made heading into the most important summer transfer window in recent memory.
Amorim’s assistant breaks silence after Europa League defeat
While many signings and sales need to be made, Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff are far from blameless and need to make their own improvements heading into next season.
Carlos Fernandes is Amorim’s right-hand man and the assistant coach has expressed his feelings after he final on his Instagram page, taking the responsibility of the defeat.
The assistant, who is 10 years Amorim’s junior, thanked his family for sticking by hm but also claimed that he will be reflecting on how to improve over the summer.
“We failed where it hurts the most and the responsibility is ours. Thanks to the players who gave everything to make the outcome different,” Fernandes wrote. “Thank you to everyone who supported us through our most difficult times and to those who sent me messages of support throughout yesterday and today.
“If friends are the family you choose, then I’m lucky. I was chosen by amazing people and I have the best family ever. People who made an enormous effort to be by my side on one of the most important days of my life.
“Spending days on vacation, traveling straight at night out, driving 20 hours in less than two days or crossing half of Europe by plane alone with cancelled flights… My eternal and heartfelt thank yous are the highlight of my day!
“Now… It’s time to reflect, learn, improve and do everything to come back… We’re still together!”
Amorim and his staff have a lot to prove
There is a lot of conversations about the players not being good enough and that is certainly a fair comment after this disastrous campaign.
Amorim and his staff came into a difficult situation at Old Trafford and have been supported by the fans so far despite dreadful results. Defeat in Bilbao has tested the patience of many, though.
All reports indicate that the Portuguese boss will remain at the club heading into next season and the hope is that he can show major improvements with a better squad.
But Amorim and the likes of Fernandes also need to improve themselves. Several parts of the tactical plan look too easy to deal with in the Premier League.
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No one is asking him to rip up the blueprint. Amorim is clear that he will not change the way he sees the game. But that doesn’t mean that strong tweaks cannot be made.
Fernandes says that he will be reflecting, and so should Amorim, because things need to improve quickly.
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