Man Utd must 'take risk' and rotate players as they target European glory: Amorim
Football
By
AFP
| May 02, 2025
Man. Utd's midfielder Bruno shoots to score during the Europa League semi final match between Athletic Bilbao. May 1, 2025. [AFP]
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United must "take a risk" by rotating players as he prioritises ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/amp/football/article/2001510214/worst-ever-man-united-turn-to-europa-as-saving-grace&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiY5KXQ7ISNAxVffKQEHfH4DqcQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw2l_Sp3fgZYDuoGiUGu0RTe">Europa League< glory over improving their woeful position in the Premier League.
United have one foot in the final after an impressive 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, with Tottenham their likely opponents if they reach the showpiece match, also in Bilbao.
Winning the Europa League guarantees a place in next season's Champions League, bringing with it a financial windfall and making it easier to attract top players.
United are unbeaten in Europe this season but are a lowly 14th in the Premier League with four games to go -- heading for their lowest league finish since they were relegated in 1974.
READ MORE
Countries lock horns over cash for nature at rebooted UN talks
Standard Sacco members accuse police of harassment
Lack of clear rules undermining collaboration on climate finance
Climate change brought extreme weather, heat in 2024: UN
Africa's opportunity in taming a warming world
World falls short of drought deal at Saudi-hosted talks
Reverent politics key to climate action
There is need to raise visibility of climate impact on health
There is need to rethink Kenya's climate financing framework
They travel to face mid-table Brentford in London on Sunday.
United manager Amorim said it was tough to balance the demands of the Europa League and Premier League but he made it clear that players at risk of getting injured would not play "no matter what".
"In this moment, it is hard," he said. "It is hard to separate. We know that we have always had a responsibility, but in this moment we have to take a risk.
"There are some positions where we don't have more players," he added. "For example, (defender) Noussair Mazraoui (who featured against Athletic) cannot play (on Sunday). He is on the limit of getting an injury."
="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/football/article/2001506486/amorim-says-he-will-take-man-united-back-to-where-club-belongs&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjnldfv7ISNAxXphv0HHQgiJSUQFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3TOiyfQajMU86mBrOX8I3o">Amorim< acknowledged that the club must be competitive in every game, regardless of its league position.
"We have to be careful because we are Manchester United and we cannot go to a game without thinking we can win this game," he said.
"So the process is going to be like that, it is going to be tough. But we passed so many things this year, this one more."
Amorim was able to bring ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/football/article/2001509787/diallos-12-minute-hat-trick-rescues-man-united-against-southampton&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjrldz87ISNAxVLKvsDHUVCIE4QFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw2wI1NfMxxAYHXOGrQpJ1pU">Amad Diallo< off the substitutes' bench in Spain for his first appearance since he suffered an ankle injury in February, admitting that the return of the forward was "massive".