Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim made a damning admission following the team’s 4-3 defeat at Brentford, their 16th Premier League loss of the season, marking the club’s worst league campaign in 35 years. The result leaves United mathematically relegated to a bottom-half finish in the Premier League, but their hopes for a Champions League spot are still alive through the Europa League.
Date: Sunday, 4 May 2025
In a thrilling encounter at Brentford, Manchester United’s season took another blow, with Amorim’s side suffering their 16th Premier League defeat. This loss equaled the club’s worst performance in the league for over three decades. Despite the defeat, Amorim remains hopeful, emphasizing that winning the Europa League would secure Champions League qualification.
The game ended 4-3 in favor of Brentford, but there were some positives for United, notably the performance of young players and a late fightback that saw goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo. Despite United’s struggles, Amorim highlighted the ongoing progress in their style of play.
Ruben Amorim Admits Manchester United’s Struggles Are Far from Over
Amorim acknowledged that Manchester United is currently far from competitive in the Premier League or the Champions League. “We are not ready to be competitive, and we need to win,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports. “We need to fight to give something back to our fans and qualify for the Champions League. However, we are aware that a lot of work is needed to cope with both the Premier League and the Champions League next season.”
United’s defeat at Brentford marked their most losses in a league campaign for 35 years. Amorim’s tenure, which began on November 11, has seen only a handful of wins, with United struggling to find consistency, particularly in the Premier League. In fact, since Amorim’s arrival, only relegated teams like Ipswich and Leicester have recorded fewer Premier League victories than Manchester United.
The Europa League Dilemma
Despite the Premier League setbacks, Manchester United still has an opportunity to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. Amorim revealed that securing a European spot is crucial, but it presents a “real dilemma” for the club.
“We know we are not ready for the challenges of the Premier League and Champions League, but we must fight for this Europa League title. That is the most important game for us,” Amorim added. “After we secure that, we will have time to prepare the team for the challenges ahead.”
The team’s inconsistent form in the league has raised questions about their readiness for next season, but Amorim remains optimistic that United can bounce back with the right preparations.
Mason Mount’s Long-Awaited Goal and Youngsters Stepping Up
There were moments of brightness in the defeat. Mason Mount, who had been struggling with injuries, scored his first league goal in over a year. Amorim praised Mount’s intelligence and positioning on the field, stating that he is a valuable asset to the team. “It’s not just the finish, it’s the position that he has on the pitch. He’s like a third midfielder who can reach the box,” Amorim noted.
The match also marked the senior debut of Chido Obi, who became the youngest player in Manchester United’s history to start a Premier League game at just 17 years old. Alongside Obi, fellow academy graduates Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson were also given valuable playing time. Amorim emphasized the importance of learning from such experiences, but also made it clear that United’s standards cannot be compromised.
“This kind of season cannot happen again,” he said. “We need to understand what it means to play for Manchester United, and the young players need to learn that.”
The Road Ahead for United
Despite the ongoing struggles, Amorim is confident that United will eventually return to form. “We are playing better and understanding our style of play,” he stated. “Even in this difficult context, we must accept the losses and focus on Thursday’s Europa League match, which is the most important game for us.”
As Manchester United looks ahead to their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, the club’s fate remains uncertain, with the looming challenge of balancing European success with domestic improvement.
