A Devastating Blow in Bilbao
Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United reached a low point with a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on May 21, 2025, at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium, as reported by The Independent on May 22, 2025. The loss, marking United’s fourth defeat to Spurs this season, cost them a £100m Champions League spot and left the club trophyless, finishing 16th in the Premier League with a record-low 39 points. Amorim’s post-match comments, offering to leave without compensation if the board and fans deem him unfit, have fueled speculation about his future, with some interpreting it as a plea for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to sack him.
Amorim’s Tenure: A Statistical Nightmare
Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, Amorim has managed 41 matches, winning only 15 (36.59% win rate), with 18 losses, including 13 in the Premier League, per BBC Sport. United’s 17 league defeats match their worst since 1973-74, and their nine home losses equal a club record from 1930-31, per Opta. Scoring just 30 goals in 25 league games (8.7% conversion rate), they’ve been outscored by all but five teams. Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3, criticized for not suiting the squad, failed in Bilbao, where starting Mason Mount over Alejandro Garnacho proved costly, per Sky Sports. On X, @modiezar79 highlighted United’s 62 goals conceded in 41 games under Amorim, labeling his record “shameful.”
Sack or Support? Ratcliffe’s Dilemma
Despite the defeat, sources indicate United’s board, led by Ratcliffe, plans to retain Amorim for the 2025-26 season, viewing his mid-season appointment and inherited squad issues as mitigating factors, per The Times. Ratcliffe’s public support in March 2025, calling Amorim “outstanding,” and a long-term plan to back him with transfers, like Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£62.5m) and Ipswich’s Liam Delap (£30m), suggest patience, per The Guardian. However, Amorim’s admission of cultural issues—“we’re losing the feeling of a massive club”—and his refusal to adapt tactics have sparked debate. Luke Shaw’s “rock bottom” comment post-final reflects squad morale, per Sky Sports. X posts, like @unitedviewtv, show fan sympathy but predict an “inevitable exit.”
Hellish Prospects Ahead
Amorim faces a daunting post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong, aimed at boosting finances strained by missing Champions League revenue, per The Independent. The tour, with a demoralized squad, risks further disconnect, as players like Marcus Rashford (on loan at Aston Villa) and potentially Alejandro Garnacho (£70m valuation) eye exits, per The Guardian. Staff redundancies and cost-cutting, including Amorim funding tickets for the final, have fueled tensions, per ESPN. On X, @SkySportsPL cited Amorim’s readiness to leave if unwanted, while @talkSPORT noted his frank admission of failure.
Rebuilding or Reckoning?
Amorim argues a season without European football could aid rebuilding, citing Liverpool’s 2015-16 reset, per The Athletic. He seeks to overhaul recruitment, targeting players suited to his 3-4-3, but his inflexibility—sticking to three center-backs despite Tottenham’s defensive setup—draws criticism, per Sky Sports. Ratcliffe’s unpredictable nature, shown in Ten Hag’s sacking, keeps the axe looming, per The Athletic. United’s final match against Crystal Palace on May 25 offers a chance to avoid 17th, but Amorim’s “hellish prospect” is a summer of scrutiny. Fans on X, like @AmosMurphy_, highlight his six wins in 25 league games, questioning his fit. The board’s faith may hold, but Amorim must deliver results to survive.
