What next for Manchester United and their manager

Some immediate reaction from Bilbao 

We'll explore the impact of the Europa League final and examine what happens next.

Author | Olivia T

In the days leading up to Manchester United’s Europa League final against Tottenham, the message from inside Old Trafford was clear and consistent: whatever the result, Ruben Amorim would remain at the helm.

The hope had been to keep that stance behind closed doors. Instead, Amorim made it public himself with a pointed remark at the end of his press conference following the 1–0 defeat in Bilbao.

Those at the top of the club believe they are aligned with the fans, many of whom are expected to voice their support for Amorim even more vocally on Sunday when United take on an Aston Villa side still in the hunt for Champions League football.

Amorim alluded to United having prepared two different plans for the summer transfer window. The more ambitious of the two can now be set aside.

There will be no £100 million boost to help soften the blow of what has been a dreadful season. For just the second time since English clubs returned to European competition in 1990, United will not be involved on the continental stage. There will be no elite European fixtures to attract top-level signings.

READ MORE | Manchester United's previous European finals

READ MORE | Live blog of the day and match from European Super Football

If Sir Jim Ratcliffe had already set his sights on tightening the purse strings, the pressure to scrutinise spending will only increase.

There is strong interest in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, whose Premier League track record at least offers some promise. At present, only Bruno Fernandes provides any consistent goal threat, and after the loss in Bilbao, the need for a reliable goalscorer has never been clearer. It was the 15th time this season (or the 11th in the last 33 games, or the third match in a row) that United failed to score.

What comes next

First up for Amorim is Sunday’s fixture against Aston Villa. After that come two post-season matches in Asia, expected to raise around £10 million in revenue, though they are unlikely to be high on the players’ wish list.

Leading fan groups had already threatened to stage protests at the Villa game, even before this latest blow to the club’s morale. Amorim now faces the challenge of presenting a united front (emotionally and visually) from a group of players who appeared isolated and defeated as Tottenham celebrated their victory.

Andre Onana remained seated in his penalty area. Harry Maguire wandered further up the pitch. Alejandro Garnacho looked distraught near the halfway line. Amorim, characteristically, was pacing along the touchline, eyes fixed on the ground.

From this disjointed group, Amorim must somehow forge a team capable of honouring the name they play under — one of football’s most storied institutions.