Man United Have Perfect Preparation Plan for Europa League Final – Thanks to a Manager They Sacked
Manchester United’s journey to the 2025 UEFA Europa League final has been far from straightforward. From a turbulent domestic campaign to an injury-hit season, the Red Devils have weathered criticism, inconsistency, and tactical recalibrations. Yet, as they prepare to face Athletic Bilbao in Budapest, there’s a sense of quiet confidence emanating from Carrington. Oddly enough, that confidence and composure can, in part, be traced back to a man who once occupied the Old Trafford hot seat — José Mourinho.
Though the Portuguese manager was sacked by United in December 2018 after a dismal start to the season, his legacy — specifically his meticulous approach to European competition — appears to have left a lasting imprint. And as United gear up for their biggest match in years, many inside the club are acknowledging that Mourinho’s blueprint, refined and adapted, is guiding their final preparations.
Let’s explore how Manchester United’s preparation plan for the Europa League final is, ironically, built upon the foundations laid by the man they once dismissed.
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Mourinho’s 2017 Europa League Blueprint
When Mourinho arrived at Manchester United in 2016, he inherited a squad that had underperformed since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. But in typical Mourinho fashion, he targeted silverware immediately. He won the EFL Cup and, crucially, the Europa League in his debut season — defeating Ajax 2–0 in the 2017 final.
What stood out about that campaign wasn’t just the result, but how calculated United were in navigating the tournament. Mourinho prioritized the Europa League over the Premier League once top-four hopes began to fade. He rested key players in domestic fixtures, built momentum in Europe, and instilled a siege mentality in his players — all designed to peak at the right moment.
That approach is now being mirrored in Erik ten Hag’s 2025 campaign.
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Ten Hag’s Modern Spin on Mourinho’s Methods
Ten Hag, known for his methodical planning and attention to detail, has taken notes from United’s past successes — and that includes Mourinho’s 2017 blueprint. In the buildup to the 2025 final, United have followed several key principles that echo the “Mourinho model”:
1. Squad Rotation and Prioritization
Just like Mourinho in 2017, Ten Hag began rotating heavily in the Premier League once a top-four finish became increasingly unlikely. He focused his strongest line-ups and training emphasis on Europa League fixtures, ensuring players were both mentally and physically ready for European nights.
Veterans like Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes were carefully managed, while younger players like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were given more Premier League minutes to build form and confidence — all part of the strategic build-up to the final.
2. Mental Conditioning
Mourinho famously treated every knockout game like a cup final, building a fortress mentality within his squad. Ten Hag, while more reserved publicly, has instilled a similar mindset. Insiders say the Dutchman has kept the dressing room tightly focused on “finishing strong” and seizing silverware after a disappointing league campaign.
Media blackouts during training, personalized tactical sessions, and daily video reviews have been part of the preparation — strategies reminiscent of Mourinho’s intense focus before key European ties.
3. Training Base Strategy
Here’s where Mourinho’s influence is most visible. Back in 2017, he took United to Stockholm days early to acclimate to the stadium and local conditions. Ten Hag has done the same, choosing a discreet training camp near Budapest that allows players to adjust mentally and physically to the final environment without media distractions.
The facilities, climate, and timing were all carefully chosen to mirror Mourinho’s “perfect prep” style — arriving not just to play a final, but to dominate it from the first whistle.
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Revenge of the Sacked: Mourinho’s Shadow Still Looms
While Mourinho’s tenure at United ended with frustration, his fingerprints remain across the club’s European aspirations. He was the first manager to guide them to European silverware in the post-Ferguson era and did so with a style that may have clashed with United tradition but delivered results.
Ten Hag has found a way to channel that pragmatism into a more modern football philosophy. His United side presses higher, passes with more intent, and transitions quicker — but when it comes to preparation, the roots are clear: Mourinho taught United how to prepare to win, not just to play.
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Why This Final Feels Different
Since that 2017 triumph, Manchester United have been in several semifinals and lost the 2021 Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties. In each of those failures, critics pointed to lack of leadership, mental fragility, or poor preparation.
This time, the energy around the club is different. Players are fit, focused, and fully aware of what this match represents. It’s a lifeline to the Champions League. It’s a shot at redemption. And it’s a defining moment for Ten Hag, whose position has come under scrutiny during the season.
The return to Mourinho’s philosophy of “tunnel vision” preparation might be what tips the scales.
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Key Players to Watch – Reaping the Benefits of Preparation
Bruno Fernandes – Like Pogba in 2017, Bruno is expected to dictate the midfield with freedom to roam and create. His rest over the past few weeks has been calculated to ensure he’s fresh and firing.
Kobbie Mainoo – The young midfielder has flourished in recent months and is expected to be the tactical balance between Casemiro and Bruno. His composure and ball progression have made him undroppable.
Alejandro Garnacho – Given license to attack, Garnacho could be the wildcard. With clear tactical instructions and high confidence, he’s exactly the type of X-factor Mourinho loved — and Ten Hag now trusts.
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Athletic Bilbao Won’t Be Easy
As well-prepared as United are, they face a well-drilled and spirited Athletic Bilbao side. The Basque club has reached their first European final in decades and are hungry for history. Their manager, Ernesto Valverde, knows how to frustrate top teams and has built a squad that plays with heart and cohesion.
But United’s edge may lie in their preparation — their comfort in finals, their lessons from failure, and yes, their inheritance of a Mourinho-inspired method of approaching big matches.
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Full Circle: A Legacy Beyond Tenure
In football, the impact of a manager often lasts longer than their contract. Mourinho may no longer pace the Old Trafford touchline, but his philosophy of intentional preparation, ruthless focus, and tactical sacrifice has lingered in the walls of Carrington — and now finds new life under Erik ten Hag.
If Manchester United lift the Europa League trophy in Budapest, it will be Ten Hag’s triumph. But in many ways, it will also be a subtle nod to the man once fired for “falling short” — a reminder that even in pa
rting, José Mourinho may have given United the template to succeed again on Europe’s stage.
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