Ruben Amorim says Athletic Club 'will not give up' in Europa League and warns Manchester United that Lyon tie proved 'anything can happen'
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Published 08/05/2025 at 08:52 GMT+1
Manchester United have a huge 3-0 lead to protect when they host Athletic Club in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday. However, manager Ruben Amorim explained to TNT Sports how the visitors "will not give up" and The Red Devils' quarter-final win over Lyon showed how "anything can happen" over two legs. "We need to score a goal," said the Portuguese.
Amorim: 'Nobody expected' Man Utd's big first-leg win over Athletic Club, but 'anything can happen'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ruben Amorim has warned Manchester United to heed the lessons of their dramatic win over Lyon when they face an Athletic Club side who "will not give up" in the UEFA Europa League semi-final.
United head into the second leg at Old Trafford as overwhelming favourites after a stunning 3-0 victory in Bilbao a week earlier.
That leaves Athletic, whose home ground San Mames will host the final, with a mountain to climb when they meet United -live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - on Thursday evening.
Amorim told TNT Sports that he will not be complacent about the situation despite starting with a huge advantage.
"If you look at that team and the identity of that club, you can feel that they will not give up," Amorim said.
"Like ‘we are never going to stop.’ It’s the same feeling. We are not comfortable. And we want this really bad. The first minutes of the game are going to be really important for the rest of the game."
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Highlights: Fernandes and Man Utd silence San Mames with three-goal first half blitz
Video credit: TNT Sports
Amorim’s side pulled off a heroic comeback of their own to reach this stage, fighting back from 4-2 down against Lyon in extra-time of their quarter-final second leg to score three goals in seven minutes and win 5-4.
For United’s Portuguese boss, the game serves as a reminder not to get ahead of themselves after claiming an unexpectedly big win in Spain, where all three goals went in before half-time as Dani Vivian was sent off for the hosts.
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"Nobody expected this kind of advantage," Amorim said.
"But then the game changed, we were smart in the rest of the game, and we have a good advantage.
"But like we showed against Lyon, and if you look at this season, anything can happen. A lot of things change with our team.
"We need to be focused for the next game, and I feel that we need to score a goal."
‘We need to suffer together’
Old Trafford erupted when Harry Maguire struck the sensational late winner against Lyon.
Amorim believes the home crowd can play their part once again in what will be the final European game of the season to be staged at their home ground, and called on the supporters to be active participants.
"Before we celebrate something, we need to suffer together," he said.
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Man Utd have 'one foot in the final' but tie still not over - Maguire
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Every duel, especially at the beginning. The atmosphere that they had in the first leg, we need to do the same thing. That can help a lot.
"When the game starts, singing our song before the game. The first duel, the first corner, we need to be there, everybody.
"We need the supporters; they are going to be really important. So let’s think about how we are going to suffer together and then we will celebrate if we win."
Stream the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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