Manchester United have qualified for the Europa League final by dismantling Athletic Club 7-1 on aggregate in their two-legged semi-final clash.
A final at the iconic San Mames awaits the Red Devils against Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and as Ruben Amorim said on Friday, he will try and save his players for the season-defining clash.
There are a couple of injury concerns with Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven still out, while Lisandro Martinez is not expected back before the end of the year.
Diogo Dalot, who was expected to be out for the season could be back in time for the May 21 contest as could Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee could be back
The United forward suffered a hamstring injury during the league game against Newcastle and tests confirmed he would miss the rest of the season.
“He is not going to play anymore this season. We must prepare him for next season,” Amorim had confirmed after the game.
👀 Joshua Zirkzee tells Alphonso Davies on stream that a return for the Europa League final is “difficult, but not impossible.” #MUFC
— 𝔇𝔦𝔳 (@UTD_Div) May 10, 2025
But now, while in conversation with Alphonso Davies during his live Twitch stream, the Dutchman revealed that he is trying his best to return for the final.
The ex-Bologna ace made it clear that it is difficult but not impossible, raising hopes that the 23-year-old could even make it to the bench.
Difficult, not impossible
When the Bayern defender told his former teammate that he hopes to see him in the final, Zirkzee said, “I’m trying to be back for the final. It is not impossible, but it is going to be difficult.”
The Netherlands international had a dream start to his life as a United player with a winning goal in the opening game of the season.
But his form dipped and there were even talks of an early January exit. But Ruben Amorim subsequently found the best use for him as an attacking midfielder and he flourished soon after.
He has seven goals and three assists in his debut season and there could be a chance to add to this tally as Zirkzee’s own comments suggest.
Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
