Europa League thriller shows United have found exactly what they needed in Ruben Amorim – opinion

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·19 aprile 2025

Europa League thriller shows United have found exactly what they needed in Ruben Amorim – opinion

It was an ugly Mancheser United win against Lyon.

The visitors found a way to earn a two-goal advantage at Old Trafford well into extra time. This happened despite them being down a man. The ensuing comeback comes with mixed feelings, although it is fantastic that Ruben Amorim’s side went through, of course.

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How the match ended up playing out like that, where a large Fergie-time-esque effort was needed, does leave a lot of room for concern. With a 2-0 lead, United looked comfortably ahead. They were playing well and still finding ways to create chances.

Late heroics gave fans a thrilling finish

Then Lyon made some substitutions, and this proved enough for the Ligue 1 side to find another level within their play. From there, it was the French who seized control. They looked like they were going to be able to comfortably progress. The red card seemingly inspired them.

Instead, Amorim’s men then found a way to find another gear in the dying embers of the game and complete the win without needing to go to penalties. Others may have made fun of Man Utd for playing Harry Maguire up top. The new number nine did find the ability to produce the eventual game-winner. Seemingly, the exact way that the Portuguese manager would have drawn it up.

Constant tactical advantage

What the Europa League second leg did show, once again, is the boss’s ability to make positive changes that directly impact the game. A lot of times, a manager will make a sub or switch the approach, and the game more or less ends up playing out the same way.

Despite the results, it needs to be said that most times, Amorim has made the proper adjustments within the 90 minutes (in this case 90+) to give his side the advantage from when he implements the switch-ups. Ultimately, this is the sign of good coaching.

It is concerning that it took something of a special, unconventional tactic to get the result with a man advantage. For today, take the positives from the situation. Look forward to the Athletic Bilbao fixtures. Know that there is still plenty of work to do.

Although, with someone like Amorim at the helm, the club isn’t that far off. Despite what is happening at the organizational structure level of operations, it seems like the boss can make something from nothing. Even with a limited roster and the current squad, he’s finding ways to slowly but surely turn things around.

Positive Man Utd outlook

It has been frustrating. Certainly the Premier League campaign will need to be stronger in 2025-2026. For all of the issues and embarrassing performances, there is more room for optimism than not. It was a game that needed the spectacular and everything to go Man Utd’s way late on. Thursday’s result against Lyon showed that this corps is good enough to expect more out of.

More importantly, Amorim is the right person for the job. He has his own unique approach, but so far he’s earned the continued benefit of the doubt. Having someone of his ability to get the most out of a squad will be the best asset that the club has moving forward and best gives United the chance for sustainable success.