Amorim guarantees "I won’t quit” as United beaten in Europa League final | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester United

Ruben Amorim was defiant over his future after Manchester United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, consigning them to their worst season in over 50 years.

Defeat to Spurs in Bilbao leaves United with no European football next season and the embarrassment of a league campaign in which they are guaranteed to finish between 14th and 17th place in the Premier League.

The ‘English final’ in Spain was a tight affair, with United ending the game with a remarkable 73% possession. Yet Brennan Johnson’s scrappy winner a few minutes before the break was reflective of a showpiece in which neither side impressed observers with their quality; unsurprising given the occasion pitted England’s 16th and 17th ranked sides in an all-or-nothing clash.

Bruno Fernandes skippered United, with the Portugal midfielder struggling to impress in a deeper role. Indeed Fernandes ceded possession sloppily ahead of the only goal, typical of a poor personal performance, while Diogo Dalot emerged from a recent injury lay-off to appear on 85 minutes as United chased the game.

Inevitably, Amorim fielded some tough questions after the match, including one which described his brief tenure as “a failure” given the team’s continued slump in domestic competition. However, the former Sporting boss remained firm in his belief that he can turn around the Red Devils’ fortunes next season.

“I think it was clear we were the better team, but we managed to not score again and so it’s really hard to win football matches,” Amorim said. “The guys tried everything to win the game and [regarding] the future, we will have time to assess everything.

“I’m confident that I’m still the guy, more than [at] the beginning,” Amorim replied to a question over his future. “I know it’s going to be tough, I know we lost against an English team. I know that the patience of the fans is going to be really short in the next season, but I guarantee you that I will not quit, I will not go away. I’m really confident."

If they want to change I will leave the next day - Amorim

“Why am I more confident now? Because I know the club, I know what it means to coach this club. I understand what this team needs, so I have more tools to do my job. If they say ‘Ruben, I’s better to change,’ I will leave the next day with no compensation. I believe so much in my confidence and the way I do my job, I’m not worried about that.

“The biggest pain is to lose these games and this final, to not give something special to the fans and the players. Whatever they want, I’m really confident in myself and I’ll continue to do my job if the board wants me.”

The defeat leaves United left to contemplate a summer rebuild without being able to offer Champions League football for at least one season. Despite the financial setback, United are expected to conclude the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Brazilian international forward Matheus Cunha in the coming days.

Next up for Amorim’s side is the daunting prospect of a final-day meeting with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, where the atmosphere is likely to reflect a club reeling from an unfathomably wretched campaign on all fronts.