Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted he is struggling to explain his side’s contrasting fortunes in Europe and the Premier League, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
United, unbeaten in European competition this season, produced one of their finest performances of the campaign in the Basque country, with all three goals coming in a dominant first-half display. The result leaves them firmly in control heading into next week’s second leg at Old Trafford.
Despite their success on the continent, Amorim’s side have endured a torrid domestic campaign and are on course for their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.
“It’s hard to explain,” Amorim confessed after the match. “We’ve improved in recent games. I don’t just look at results – we’ve won games where we didn’t play well, and lost others where we performed better. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck.
“We can win this competition, but in the Premier League we’re just suffering, game after game, trying to manage everything – especially with injuries. It’s even harder for the players at times.
“I know it’s difficult to understand, but sometimes it’s about context. It’s the way we view things.”
Despite their commanding lead, Amorim was quick to downplay any suggestion that United already have one foot in the final, highlighting the unpredictable nature of knockout football.
Although history is firmly on United’s side – all 133 teams to win the first leg of a UEFA Cup or Europa League knockout tie by three or more goals away from home have gone on to progress – the Portuguese manager insisted there is no room for complacency.
“They have to focus on the second leg,” he said. “More importantly, they need to think about the first 20 minutes of tonight’s game, because the return match will be very tough.
“There are no away goals anymore, so anything can change. That’s my message to the players.”
Before they turn their attention to next Thursday’s second leg in Manchester, United must first navigate a tricky Premier League fixture against Brentford at the weekend as they continue to juggle the demands of a turbulent campaign on two fronts.