Rio Ferdinand says UEFA Europa League triumph would 'paper over cracks' for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United
Published 30/04/2025 at 20:39 GMT+1
Manchester United face Athletic Club in the UEFA Europa League semi-final, with both legs live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Former United defender and TNT Sports expert Rio Ferdinand has given his pre-game thoughts, admitting a Europa League title would only "paper over the cracks" for Ruben Amorim's side. United lost to Wolves and drew with Bournemouth following their dramatic win over Lyon.
Williams says ‘every kid wants to play at Old Trafford’ as Athletic Club prepare for Man Utd
Video credit: SNTV
Rio Ferdinand has claimed a UEFA Europa League win would only "paper over some of the cracks" for Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim's side face La Liga side Athletic Club in their semi-final first leg on Thursday night - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
And Ferdinand, while highlighting the potential significance of a European trophy, suggested there are still causes for concern at Old Trafford.
"[It would be] a huge success, given the disappointments there have been in the Premier League this year," he told TNT Sports.
"To end the season with a trophy and then qualification for the Champions League, I don't think they could've dreamed of that. It'd paper over some of the cracks.
"Physically, the teams they've played against [in the Europa League] they've been able to overpower. In the Premier League, United are possibly one of the weakest teams physically.
"If they don't get beat tactically or by individual brilliance, then physically they get overpowered or overrun, and in Europe they've managed to do that to opposing teams."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/18/4119690-83531448-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Maguire the hero as Man Utd beat Lyon in all-time classic
Video credit: TNT Sports
United's passage to the semi-finals was dramatic, with two goals late in extra-time at Old Trafford sealing a remarkable 7-6 aggregate win over Lyon in the quarter-final.
"I hope it provides a bit of confidence, although the league results since haven't been improved," added Ferdinand.
"I like to think in this competition they feel something. That's what happens, you get into a groove in a competition and it's almost like it's meant to be. Hopefully it's starting to feel like that for the players."
United will face an Athletic side playing for a place in a final that will be hosted at their home stadium, Bilbao's San Mames.
"That's an added caveat that works against Man United," Ferdinand said. "The only positive for United in that sense is that the first game is away, because if it was a tight game and they had to come here [Bilbao], I wouldn't be backing United in that sense.
"Man United need to be at least within a goal [after the first leg]. Worst case scenario, one goal behind, I'd still give us a good chance at home given what we saw in the last round."
- Postecoglou admits Spurs treat Europa and Premier League as 'separate courses'
- An 'electric' dribbler inspired by Neymar - 'Ambitious' Williams relishing 'dream' Man Utd clash
A Europa League title would mean United have won a trophy in each of the last three seasons - after Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes - despite their Premier League woes. But Ferdinand emphasised the work that still needs to be done.
"I don't think anybody in the building wasn't aware that there were issues still," he said. "I don't think anybody was fooled by the trophies that we'd won.
"Huge amounts [of work to do], pre-season will be a big plus, which the manager hasn't had. The recruitment's going to be vital."
Asked where Amorim would stand if United were to miss out on Europa League glory, Ferdinand said: "It would be a start that was unimaginable from his point of view.
"I hope they give him time in pre-season and then start of the season to put his stamp on the team."
Related Topics
Thoughts?