Nothing but Europa League victory will do for Manchester United: Ruben Amorim

MANCHESTER – Anything less than winning the Europa League title on May 21 will not be enough for Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, who said finishing second will amount to nothing and their fans deserve better.

United substitute Mason Mount struck twice as United trounced Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the second leg of their semi-final on May 8 for a 7-1 aggregate victory and a place in an all-English final against Tottenham Hotspur.

A victory in the final would mean not just a place in the Champions League next season – and the sizable financial injection that comes with it – but a much-needed belief after a dreadful English Premier League season.

“The money is not the most important, even the title, to win a title as a coach,” Amorim said.

“It’s that feeling that we can do good things, the feeling to give something to our fans, especially in this kind of season.

“So, it’s not just playing Champions League next year. Is that feeling too that we can change things. I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t do it, it means nothing.”

While the final in the Spanish city of Bilbao will be Amorim's biggest task yet as United boss, he has won several Portuguese trophies.

Said the 40-year-old: “Both teams are going to play like all or nothing, the position of the coach(es) is quite similar, we are struggling both of us.”

The visitors broke the deadlock at Old Trafford in sensational style after half an hour to give themselves hope, Mikel Jauregizar picked his spot from outside the box and curled past Andre Onana after sloppy play by Harry Maguire.

But a flurry of second-half substitutions – including the entrance of Mount and Amad Diallo – changed the complexion of the game completely and led to a United onslaught.

Mount, a peripheral figure since his move from Chelsea two years ago, produced an excellent turn and shot into the far corner to bring much-needed relief in the 72nd minute.

Casemiro headed home from a Bruno Fernandes cross seven minutes later, before Rasmus Hojlund converted from close range.

And there was still time for Mount to score a breathtaking second from near the halfway line in stoppage time, with goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala well out of position.

“Not just me,” Amorim said. “If you look at the bench, that is the best feeling as a coach.

“When you look at the other guys on the bench and they are so happy for Mason Mount, because everybody in that dressing room sees Mason Mount doing everything he can to be available. His teammates were so happy for him.”

Mount added: “It was too long (waiting for a night like that). I carried on going, working hard in training every day and tried to stay positive and when I had an opportunity to try to make an impact. Today it paid off.”

Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde said his team made it too easy for United in the final minutes.

“Games last 90 minutes. You have to be on it for 90 minutes, especially against teams that won’t let you off,” he said.

“It was almost like walk in the park for them at the end. Take away those last few minutes, it was much more even.” REUTERS, AFP