Manchester city coach sends message to Ruben Amorim after United Humiliating loss against Tottenham in the Europa league final.
Manchester United’s Europa League journey ended in disappointment as they lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the final held at San Mamés. The match was decided by a 42nd-minute own goal, when a Pape Matar Sarr cross deflected off Luke Shaw and into the net, with Brennan Johnson credited. Despite several attempts, United failed to respond with a goal, handing Spurs their first major title since 2008.
Following the defeat, a controversial statement reportedly attributed to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made waves online. According to unconfirmed reports, Guardiola criticized Ruben Amorim, calling him a “baby coach” and claiming he had warned him about a specific Spurs player—hinting that Amorim failed to listen, which allegedly contributed to United’s downfall. Whether the quote is real or fabricated, it has stirred conversation around Amorim’s approach and judgment.
Since Amorim took charge in November, United’s campaign has been rocky. They ended the Premier League season in a dismal 16th place—their worst finish in decades—amidst a flood of injuries to key players like Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo. However, their progress to the Europa League final was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult year.
Amorim’s loyalty to his preferred 3-4-3 formation, which served him well at Sporting CP, has been heavily scrutinized. Critics argue that this system doesn’t complement the current United squad and may have contributed to their inability to consistently create scoring chances. Football pundit Stephen Warnock pointed out that this rigid tactical setup made United predictable and less effective in the final third.
Speaking after the final, Amorim admitted that the team is facing many challenges, emphasizing that improvement is needed across the board. His comments, while honest, lacked the clarity or conviction many fans and analysts hoped to hear at the end of such a critical match.
The defeat has intensified the scrutiny on Amorim’s future. With murmurs of high-profile managers like Zinedine Zidane being linked to the job, the pressure on the young coach is mounting. Rumors and criticism aside, Amorim’s fate now hinges on whether he can evolve quickly, secure full backing in the transfer window, and deliver results when the new season begins. Until then, the “baby coach” tag—deserved or not—may continue to shadow his tenure at Old Trafford.
