Friday 18 April 2025 00:51
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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says his side have a new moment to savour for life.
The Reds completed another of the most dramatic comeback victories in our history, after Harry Maguire powered home a match-winning header to send us through to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Speaking at his press conference after the game, Ruben was overcome with emotion as he dissected an occasion that will live long in the memory for most inside Old Trafford.
Questions also arose on Noussair Mazaroui and Victor Lindelof during the briefing, with both Nous and Victor having to leave Old Trafford at half-time to address urgent family issues.
As hearts began to settle once more, read on to learn exactly what Ruben was asked during his latest question-and-answer session with journalists…
Hi Ruben, is that just about the best win you’ve ever had managing in football? “It is hard to say. In here and the sound of the last two goals were amazing, that is something we can keep for future, it was a good feeling but, in the end of the game, [if] you go to semi-finals, you need to win it. If you go to the semi-finals and you don’t win it, it is the same feeling. We need to focus on next stage and try to win competition.”
At 4-2 down, as it was difficult to keep score at that stage, did you genuinely have the feeling you could win or did you feel deep down it was over?
“You think it is hard, but you try to make some changes or try to push the players or yourself to give the energy to the players. In the stadium, in this club, you always have a feeling that anything can happen. Today was another day like that.”
Ruben is it possible to detach yourself from that kind of chaos that is going on? How are you feeling in those moments? What does that feel like as a football manager? “I think that is why we like this sport so much, all the frustration that a coach has in this season, the bad moments. When you have moments like this, it is all worth it. But then you finish the game, you calm down, and you realise we have a game on Sunday. Then we have to see how the players are and if they are fit to play because we have to focus a lot on the Europa League.”
Hi Ruben, congrats on the win. I am sure you would have liked a simple 2-0 win, I am sure most of us filing would have. How much can that ending fuel you? The Premier League is important, but not as important as the Europa League can be, but what can this moment do?
“These kind of moments can help a lot of players in this kind of season and this kind of context. These moments can create a connection between fans and players and we can forget for a few minutes the kind of season we are having. But again, today is a good feeling, but tomorrow we need to start everything again and focus on players and if they are fit to play. We have to take risks and save it with some players and if we look at our season. The most important for everybody is the Europa League.”
What did you say at half-time in extra-time? How do you lift them? “At half-time in extra-time we had to change the positions, to try to be really clear about the position of Harry Maguire. Try to put Casemiro near the goal, Kobbie Mainoo near the goal, Mason Mount to cross balls and try to explain that we need to score one goal and anything can change, so it is pushing on with the team. Of course, it is a difficult moment and then we have to be really lucky to change the game and this was the case today.”
Will Harry Maguire play in this position again with the squad being how it is?
“To play a normal game, no. In these moments, it is something that is really important. When I see Harry Maguire and I put him as a striker, I just see one guy that inside the box. Is he not good inside the box? In the opposite box he is striker, he is not a defender, he knows how to behave in that space and it is just to put those different characteristics in a different moment.”
You will play Athletic Club Bilbao in the semi-final. What do you know about them?
“I played against them in pre-season with Sporting. I know a little bit. Of course, it is a different moment and we know they are really technical. They have two wingers who are really good. We will have time to assess all the characteristics of the opponent and we need to focus a lot on what we need to do until that game because we need to. Especially if you look at the team in the moments at the end of the second half, the team was really tired and you can feel it with some players. Bruno Fernandes today was a little bit tired, so I need to be careful, even with Bruno. In the game and also in-between the next two games in the Europa League, I will try to do that, but I will not promise.”
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Friday 18 April 2025 00:51
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