Manchester United are looking towards the summer transfer window and hope to secure some top-quality players, with potential qualification for the Champions League a major incentive
Manchester United are into the semi finals of the Europa League after the most dramatic of victories over Lyon on Thursday night. Harry Maguire’s header in the depths of extra time ensured United came out on the right side of a nine-goal thriller at Old Trafford and kept their season alive.
United will play Athletic Bilbao in the last four of the competition and are still holding out hopes that they could win the competition and qualify for next season’s Champions League. Ruben Amorim’s side sit a lowly 14th in the Premier League, yet still have something to play for thanks to Maguire.
After taking a day to recover, they will now turn their attention to facing Wolves at home on Sunday afternoon. But Amorim has made it clear that he will prioritise the Europa League as they chase the all-important European spot for next season.
The club also have one eye on the summer transfer window, when Amorim will get the chance to reshape his squad in his own image. Here are the latest news stories involving United from Mirror Football.
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Maguire’s telling admission
Maguire has made it clear that United are short of options up front after his heroics against Lyon. Amorim was forced to throw Maguire up front to chase goals in extra time on Thursday night, with a dearth of attacking options on his bench.
“This year it’s not been good enough, but the players are giving everything,” said Maguire. “You can see we’re short on attackers. We had two attackers in the squad in Alejandro [Garnacho] and Rasmus [Hojlund] and they gave everything.
“We’re short on attackers, we lost Josh [Zirkzee], so if the manager asks me to go up front, I’m willing to go up there. I do see myself as a threat and feel like I can score a goal. I’m sure we’ll learn a lot from this game and the games to come.”
Rashford’s future clear
Marcus Rashford has been enjoying himself while out on loan with Aston Villa and Alan Shearer would be “astonished” if he returned to his boyhood club in the summer. United are short of attackers, having sent Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho out on loan, but Shearer doesn’t see a way back.
“I’d be astonished if there’s a career for him at Manchester United, not while Amorim’s there,” said Shearer on The Rest is Football podcast. “He’s made it clear he doesn’t want him. Man United are in the mire in the Premier League and yet he thinks to get him out of the club is the best answer. There’s no way he’s going back there while Amorim’s there.”
Gary Lineker added: “He will want to prove a point, not just to Manchester United, not necessarily to the fans, but also to himself, because he’s had a bit of stick. He’s had a real issue with the two most recent coaches at Manchester United. Now he’s gone off.”
Amorim outlines strategy
Manchester United will go all out to try and win the Europa League, even if it risks prolonging their misery in the Premier League. United face Athletic Bilbao in the semi finals of the Europa League next month and know that victory in the final would give them a place in next season’s Champions League.
Amorim made his approach for the rest of the season clear in his post-match press conference on Thursday. He said: “It is one type of moment that can change a lot of things. These kind of moments can change a lot in the players’ mind.
“We have to be really focused on the Europa League and we have to take a risk with the kids in the Premier League. We have to be tough on that and the fans have to understand our focus is on the Europa League.”
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