Ruben grounded after semi-final success

Ruben grounded after semi-final success

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has given credit to Athletic Club for being tough opponents, conceding he feels the 7-1 aggregate scoreline of the Europa League semi-final flattered the Reds.

United followed up the 3-0 victory at San Mames by falling behind in the first half at Old Trafford to Mikel Jauregizar’s superb strike but came on strongly in the closing stages at Old Trafford.

Mason Mount levelled and, after further goals by Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund, our no.7 set the seal on a fine win to set up a final date with Tottenham Hotspur on 21 May with a brilliant long-range effort.

See what Ruben Amorim had to say to the official broadcasters after the final whistle…

FOR THE FANS

“It’s the least we can do for these fans, for all the support that they gave us in this tough season. But I’m stressed already because of the final, because if you don’t win it, in the end, it’s nothing. So, we are happy to be there. Let’s see.”

NERVOUS MOMENTS?

“Yes, a little bit because, in the first half, we suffered a goal. We had some transitions and the opportunity of Alejandro Garnacho to kill the momentum of the opponents. We didn’t but I will say I was not scared but I was concerned. I’m never scared. I felt there were some situations and we had some transitions where we could score. I felt, in the second half, more optimistic.”

THE SUBSTITUTIONS

“First of all is the energy. I feel that some players like Nous [Mazraoui] we can rest, but you feel that he has no energy in this moment. Then Amad give us that spark that you need to change games, and that helped us a lot, because we can change with Garna [Alejandro Garnacho]. Sometimes, we let Garna there because he’s the only one that can stretch the game. Mason Mount, I’m so happy for Mason Mount, he’s such a player. He works really hard, he has quality. I really like Kobbie Mainoo. Just 10 minutes, but everything he did was really good. So, sometimes you were on the bench and you change the game. Sometimes, the players that start the game get the other team tired. If you have good spirit in everybody, they come on the pitch and catch the opponents tired and have more time to think and more space. It’s why you need a full squad. Sometimes, you have to change some players, some characteristics and everyone has to be ready to win a game.”

CREDIT TO ATHLETIC CLUB

“It was really too much [the score], if you look at the games, the games don’t show how tough they were. We were a little bit lucky in these two semi-finals. If you look at the games, anyone can understand though, even with all the situations, we deserved to win. It was a tough game and we were expecting that. They are really good with the ball. Even without the Williams brothers, they are always a dangerous team. We struggled a little bit, especially in the first half and beginning of the second half. If you look at the result, you think it’s an easy game but it was not until our first goal. We were a little bit anxious but I think we deserve to go to the final.”

BETTER FORM IN EUROPA LEAGUE

“It’s a different competition and the opponents are different, the physicality I think is important. We are more comfortable in this kind of game. I do think the games are completely different. The physicality I’ve spoken about and we have two difficult moments at the end of the Premier League, when we’re struggling, because we’re saving all the players. When we arrived at the beginning in our club, I think it was more the physicality and the speed of the game so we were more comfortable to play in the Europa League.”

SPURS IN THE FINAL

“I think it’s going to be a really good game. A little bit emotional because both teams are struggling a lot in the Premier League and want to win something. Two teams who play in the same league and know each other. It means a lot, not just to us but also for Tottenham. It means a lot, not just for me but also for Ange [Postecoglou], after this season. It’s a massive game and I know it’s going to be tough for the people in Bilbao because they wanted to play in the final at home. For all of our squad, it’s really important to give something to our fans this season.” 

SPURS AIMING FOR FOURTH WIN AGAINST US THIS TERM

 “First of all, if you in the odds, it’s hard for a club to lose four times in a row, so we can’t think in that way. I think we have to have a full squad, that is really important. And we need to study the game quite well. And then we need to have a little bit of luck because, today, you felt we suffered a goal, but we had so many transitions to score a goal, and we didn’t score. We have to be clinical in that game.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

“In the moments, I’m just worried about the next game, to try to manage everything, not to get injuries for the final. But again, we need to win it. If we don’t win it, it’s nothing, it means nothing for us, so let’s see.”

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