Bruno Fernandes has voiced strong support for Ruben Amorim to remain as Manchester United’s head coach despite the disappointment of losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking after the 1-0 defeat at San Mamés Stadium, Fernandes made it clear that he believes Amorim is the right man to lead the club forward, even as uncertainty surrounds the Portuguese coach’s future.
Manchester United fell short in the final after Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal in the 42nd minute secured victory for Spurs. In the aftermath, Amorim expressed his willingness to leave immediately if the club’s board or the fans lose faith in him. Despite this, Fernandes insisted that he and many of his teammates stand firmly behind their manager.
When questioned about what he would say to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s minority owner, if he was considering accepting an offer to replace Amorim, Fernandes was unequivocal. He said it was not his decision to make, but from his perspective, the current manager is the best option for the club. He acknowledged that it might be difficult for outsiders to see why Amorim deserves to stay, especially given the recent results, but he stressed the importance of continuity.
“I do think he’s the right man to lead the club,” Fernandes said. “The club is in a situation where it’s easier to bring in a different head coach because the results haven’t been there. But as my teammates have said, I repeat myself, I do think he’s the right man.”
Fernandes elaborated on why he has so much confidence in Amorim, highlighting the positive changes the coach has already made. He emphasized that, while results are a major factor in judging a manager, the players see a bigger picture. Amorim has brought renewed positivity and ambition back to the club, aiming to restore Manchester United to a place where they can compete for major trophies.
“He has done a lot of good things,” Fernandes said. “We know the manager is judged by the results, but we also see beyond that. We all agree that he’s the right man to bring back the club’s fighting spirit and push us towards winning big trophies again.”
The midfielder also addressed speculation about his own future, amid reported interest from Real Madrid. Fernandes made it clear that he remains committed to Manchester United, at least until the club decides otherwise. He spoke openly about his desire to be part of the team’s rebuild and help return the club to its former glory.
“I’ve always been honest,” he said. “I’ve said I will stay here until the club tells me it’s time to go. I want to do more, to help bring the club back to great days. But if the club decides it’s time to part ways, maybe for financial reasons or something else, that’s football. You never know what will happen.”
Fernandes was candid about the difficult season the team has endured. He and his teammates have acknowledged that their performance this year has been far from acceptable. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to push forward.
Reflecting on the final itself, Fernandes expressed the heartbreak felt by the squad. He described the defeat as very sad, especially given the team’s strong run in the competition up until that point. The players had wanted nothing more than to win the trophy and secure a place in Europa League history.
“It’s very sad,” Fernandes said. “We wanted to win more than anything in this final. We did many good things throughout the competition, but this was the day that mattered the most. It was the day we could have made history, but it wasn’t meant to be. Football can be cruel, and this time it was our turn to lose.”
In the wake of the defeat, Fernandes’s backing of Amorim sends a clear message about the player’s belief in the coach’s vision and potential to lead Manchester United back to success. The team now faces a critical off-season, with questions about leadership and squad rebuilding at the forefront as they look to bounce back stronger.
