Europa League news: The only hope for Manchester United’s torrid season rests on the Europa League
Manchester United are having a Premier League season to forget under incumbent Head Coach Ruben Amorim.
United’s abysmal league form is in stark contrast to their performances in Europe, in which they are now set for a final showdown against London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao for Europa League glory.
Sports News Blitz writer and beleaguered Man Utd fan Vanely Barumire is clinging onto the positives of the European campaign under Amorim and addresses whether the season can somehow be salvaged.
Giving up
As a Manchester United fan, I have given up watching domestic Red Devils games.
To think that the same club that has won 20 Premier League trophies will probably end the season only a few positions from the relegation zone is shocking.
I’ve been replaying certain moments from the season in my mind to help me remember why I still call myself a Red Devil.
A Semi-Final demolition job against Athletic Bilbao
Heading into the semi-final, Bilbao were seen as a difficult opponent for United.
But if someone had told me that United would win a game 7-1 this season on aggregate, I would have laughed, let alone against a team battling for third place in the La Liga.
Seeing Mason Mount net two goals after a lengthy injury period was a good way to spend a Thursday night.
READ MORE: Europa League news: Manchester Utd dispatch Athletic Club to set up final date with Tottenham
Mainoo and Maguire to the rescue
European football has delivered exceptionally memorable games this season, and I am proud to place Manchester United’s clash with Lyon on the list.
Manchester United taking and then losing the lead at home looked like another prototypical disastrous performance we’ve seen throughout United’s diabolical 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
But like a Batman signal in Gotham, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire emerged from the darkness and rescued the Red Devils.
Maguire has received a fair share of criticism throughout his period at United, but the England defender always seems to turn into a hero when it matters.
A new Portuguese hero
“Bruno! Bruno!”
Bruno Fernandes has clearly been the best player for Manchester United this season and has been instrumental to the team's push for European football next season.
Scoring a hat-trick in the Round of 16 against Real Sociedad (5-2 on aggregate) was only the start for the United captain, who has scored in every Europa League match since.
The Portuguese midfielder is slowly taking up the mantle of a certain other Portuguese legend at Old Trafford.
With nothing left to play for aside from pride, dignity, and an Europa League success story, the Red Devils will hopefully give it their all to break the hearts of a few North Londoners when they lock horns on Wednesday, 21 May.
READ NEXT: Premier League news: Five ways Newcastle Utd bested Chelsea in race for CL football
