Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has insisted that the "good days are coming" at the club, with the Portuguese sending out a strong message at the conclusion of a disastrous 2024-25 campaign.
The Red Devils managed to end their dismal season on a positive note, beating Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, with Amad Diallo and the departing Christian Eriksen on the scoresheet at Old Trafford.
The result moved them into 15th spot in the Premier League table, finishing with a record of 11 wins, nine draws and 18 defeats from 38 matches.
Man United entered the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, so there will be no European football on offer at Old Trafford during the 2025-26 campaign.
However, Amorim is certain that the 20-time English champions will rise again, and he sent out a firm message following the win over Villa.
© Imago
Amorim urges Man United to "stick together and move forward"
"First of all, I want to apologise for this season. I know you are really disappointed with me and with the team," said Amorim as he addressed the Man United supporters at Old Trafford.
"I want to secondly say thank you. We are very grateful for your support during the season and I know that it's been really hard. I know it was really hard to support us in many games but now we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past because this season is in the past, it's over.
"We fight each other or we stick together and move forward. Six months ago, in my first three games in charge, with two victories and one draw, I said to you the storm is coming.
"Today, after this disastrous season, I want to tell you the good days are coming. If there is one club in the world that proves in the past that it can overcome any situation, any disaster, it's our club, it's Manchester United Football Club.
"Now I want to say sorry also to my players, sometimes I was not fair, but I always try to be honest with you. Thanks very much, see you next season."
© Iconsport
Amorim pleased to end a "hard season" with a win
Addressing BBC Sport after the match, Amorim said: "Difficult week. Tough on everybody. But it was good spirits from the players and supporters today. So we finished a terrible and hard season with a win. It's a good feeling.
"We are trying. We had momentum in other games like this. In the [Europa League] final, we were clearly the strong team. But sometimes we do not score. We had so many chances today. We are improving but we have a lot more to do next season.
"It's a special club with special people. We already know that. That's why it's so hard to disappoint them when we play badly. It was a tough season, but this club is more than this and we will try to do better next season.
"We need to acknowledge it will take time. We are going to suffer a little bit more but better days are coming. We are changing things that you can't see in the results. You can't see today but they are there. It's in the culture. It's the way we behave and do things every day."
Man United will now head off on a post-season tour of Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, tackling ASEAN All Stars and Hong Kong, China before the end of the month.
VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS' AWARDS!
Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers' Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.
Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!
Matt Law
