Manchester United in Bilbao LIVE fans arrive for Europa League final plus Amorim press conference

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim hosted his pre-match press conference at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Tuesday evening to preview the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Flanked by Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire either side of him, the United boss answered questions on a collection of topics ahead of the clash with United’s Premier League counterparts.

After United had revealed their 26-man squad earlier in the day, Amorim confirmed Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee are all in contention to play some part against the Londoners. Zirkzee was a surprise inclusion in the open training session United hosted on Tuesday morning.

However, the final has come too soon for Matthijs de Ligt, who will miss out because of a knee injury. He has, though, travelled to Spain to support his teammates.

Amorim, Fernandes and Maguire, each of whom were in excellent form at the press conference, appeared to be very relaxed and upbeat ahead of the game.

We’ve covered the lot, from shock injury returns to one of the most light-hearted press conferences you’re ever likely to see the day before a European final.

We’ll be back tomorrow to bring you all the build-up to the match. It’s nearly game day.

The countdown is on

There are now just 24 hours to go until kick-off at the San Mames Stadium and the atmosphere in Bilbao ahead of the Europa League final is building.

United supporters have continued to arrive in the city throughout the day and are continuing to enjoy themselves ahead of tomorrow’s main event.

Amorim explains why he is safe as United boss whatever happens in Europa League final
Head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted he is grateful that he is worried he does not have to worry about his future at Old Trafford ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League final.

Regardless of the outcome of the clash with Spurs, Amorim is not under threat of losing his job amid the realisation he is at the beginning of a long-term project and this summer’s transfer window will mark his first opportunity to put his own stamp on his squad.

By contrast, the outcome of the clash in Bilbao could determine Ange Postecoglou’s future as Tottenham Hotspur head coach.

Trio in good form

You would never guess United are about to play a European final. That was a very light-hearted press conference. Ruben Amorim struggled to stifle his laughter when Harry Maguire was asked whether goalscoring and dribbling was part of a new tactical system and Bruno Fernandes butting in to say Amorim was under pressure got a real laugh in the room.

“He’s after my job,” said Amorim. “He will make a very good coach.”

That’s a wrap

That’s all from Ruben Amorim, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire. They were each in very good spirits and seemed very relaxed with just over 24 hours to go until kick-off.

Amorim on why he is not thinking about extra-time
“I just think the best starting XI to start the game. It is then really important to have options on the bench to change the game. Sometimes it is really important to win a final. I am not thinking about going to extra-time. Of course, we have that possibility, but we never think about that. In the beginning of the game, I just want to win the game really fast. But as we proved against Lyon, if we have to score three goals in six minutes, we are able to do it.”

Amorim on why he thinks he is not under pressure from United fans
“I don’t know. In this kind of club, also Tottenham, it is strange that you have some coaches who lose games and get sacked. I think people see that sometimes I am thinking more about the club than myself. We have a lot of issues that in the context is really hard. I don’t know how to explain how the fans like me in this moment. I try to prove myself to the fans, to the board.”

Amorim on why winning the Europa League will be a first step

“I think it is hard to speak about that in this moment because you need to be excited and confident. We know that we need to change a lot of things in our club. The recruitment, the academy, we need to improve. That will not be solved by winning a cup. We have bigger things to deal with to put this club back to the top. Tomorrow, that winning of feeling will give us every strength to do every job that we have to do.”

Maguire on flexing his muscles out wide

“The manager has me dribbling every day in training, up and down the wing! Listen, I found myself on the wing against Bilbao and I managed to put a cross in. I have gone up front in latter minutes of games. Tomorrow night, I hope not to be going up front and chasing a league. I am more than happy playing in my favourite position.”

Fernandes on what winning the Europa League would mean

“Every game that you have a chance to win a trophy is very big. Apart from that, every game at this club is massive. This club is so big that one week you can be the hero, the next week you can be the villain. We just want to get our hands on a trophy. It won’t change the past, but what it can affect is the future. Winning a competition gives you a lot of things; in this case you get a place in the Champions League and revenue in the club.”

Maguire on forcing his way back into the team

“It is amazing to be back in the team and playing regularly. This season, I have played a lot football. I don’t take too much notice of the plaudits from the media. I try and stay as level as I can and go into every game trying to do my best, and that is all you can do.”

Maguire on United’s inconsistency

“Of course it’s a frustration. When you play for this club, you want to win every football match, and this season we have been far too inconsistent. We have not been good enough in the Premier League. It has been different in the Europa League. We have proven this season we can beat anyone. We can improve next season. But we have an important game tomorrow night. We have prepared well and we are looking forward to it.”

Amorim on if he will play a system without a striker

“Our system is a normal system that can change the characteristics. It is a system like any other. It doesn’t matter what happened in the last final because it was a different team, a different competition and a different context. I just focus on Tottenham and the way that they play.”

Amorim on naming a strong team against Chelsea

“The advantage, I don’t know. You have to see the context. I don’t know the context of Tottenham. We rested some players after Bilbao because we were afraid of some injuries. Five days before the final, I thought the best thing to prepare the final was to give the players the chance to play. It was really clear that we need to compete. I felt that against Chelsea. When we are focused and play our game, we can control any game in any place.”