Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has apologised to fans inside Old Trafford after failing to win the Europa League, despite beating Aston Villa on the final day.
The 2-0 win ensured the Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League table, but with no silverware to counter their dismal domestic campaign, Amorim has vowed to change things at the club.
Speaking after the match with the microphone in his hand, he said: “First of all, I want to apologise for this season. I know you are really disappointed with me and the team.
“Secondly, I want to say thank you. We are very grateful for your support this season and I know it was really hard to support us in many games.
“But now we have to make a choice. Do we stick in the past? Because this season is in the past. It’s over. We could fight each other or we stick together and move forward.
“Six months ago, after my first three games in charge, we had two victories and one draw and I told you a storm is coming. But today, after his disastrous season, I want to tell you the good days are coming.
“If there is one club in the world that have proved in the past that they can overcome any situation and any disaster, it’s our club. It’s Manchester United Football Club.
“If there is one club in the world… that can overcome any situation, it’s our club.”
Ruben Amorim ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zhrtVsPwfu
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2025
“Now I want to say sorry also to my players. Sometimes I was not fair but I’ve tried always to be honest with you guys.
“Thank you very much and see you next season.”
Emery fumes at referees
Meanwhile, Villa boss Unai Emery could not quite believe his side missed out on Champions League football due to a refereeing error.
At 0-0, Morgan Rogers looked to get to a loose ball ahead of goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and score, only for the referee to blow his whistle for a free-kick before the ball crossed the line.
It meant VAR could not intervene and therefore the decision stood, with the Villans going on to lose.
Emery added after the match: “Good evening. We started very poorly today and we weren’t playing like we wanted to play. We were getting better and starting to get into good positions and getting into their box, and then we had the red card [for Emiliano Martinez]. And after the red, the game was completely different.
“We needed resilience. We were doing that. We needed to defend and believe that some attacking chance will come to score the goal. We had it.
Unai’s post-match thoughts. pic.twitter.com/5WGu8qxrSv
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 25, 2025
“It was a mistake, we know. And the referee as well, he knows. Of course, we have to accept mistakes of the referees. He knows. And of course, we are making mistakes as coaches and players. And the referees can make these mistakes too.
“Today we lost the opportunity to be in the Champions League, but to be in the Europe was the priority and objective. To be in the Europa League is something we have to appreciate.”
