Rúben Amorim struck a defiant tone following Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on the final day of a turbulent Premier League campaign. The win did little to lift the gloom of a disappointing season that saw United finish a lowly 15th in the table, but Amorim used the occasion to address supporters directly and offer hope for the future.
Standing on the pitch at Old Trafford after the final whistle, the Portuguese head coach began with a candid apology. “First of all, I want to apologise for this season,” he told the fans. “I know you are very disappointed with me and with the team.” Despite the frustrations of a campaign marred by inconsistency and underachievement, Amorim expressed gratitude for the loyalty shown by supporters. “We are very grateful for your support during the season.”
He then looked to rally both players and fans, urging unity rather than recrimination. “Now we have to make a choice – either we stay stuck in the past because this season is in the past, or we fight each other or stick together and move forward.” Reflecting on his early days at the club, Amorim recalled the mixed results of his first three games and the warning he issued then: “The storm is coming.” Now, after enduring that storm, he sought to inspire optimism: “The good days are coming.”
Amorim emphasised Manchester United’s history of resilience, reminding supporters of the club’s proven capacity to recover from setbacks. “If there is one club that has proved in the past they can overcome any situation or any disaster, it is our club, it is Manchester United.” Addressing his players directly, he admitted to moments of harshness but maintained that his intentions were always honest. He concluded with a message of thanks and a hopeful promise: “Thank you very much. See you next season.”
In his post-match press conference, Amorim acknowledged that expectations would be high heading into his first full season in charge. He accepted that pressure is part of the job, especially given the circumstances under which he took over midway through the campaign. “That’s normal. That was a risk when I started six months ago,” he said. “If you start now, you can have a pre-season and next season will be the first season. So I have to deliver next year.”
The coach remains confident about the path ahead, while also cautioning that the road to recovery will not be smooth. “We are going to play better and get more results. It will take time. We will suffer again but we need to have better results, that’s for sure.” Eager to get started, he spoke with excitement about the chance to rebuild over the summer. “We cannot lose any time. We need to prepare in the pre-season.”
Amorim also hinted at changes in the squad, indicating that the club is already planning to reshape the team for a more competitive campaign next year. He noted the upcoming World Cup will limit opportunities during the season to make adjustments, further underscoring the importance of a productive off-season.
One significant subplot involved Alejandro Garnacho, who was left out of the squad amid controversy over his comments following United’s Europa League final defeat. Amorim, when asked about Garnacho’s future, kept his response brief: “Garnacho is one more player of United. I don’t know what will happen in the future.” With the summer ahead likely to bring changes, it remains to be seen whether the winger will be part of Amorim’s plans going forward.
