Ruben Amorim Ignored Positional Advice from Manchester United Player – And It Backfired in Europa League Final
The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League Final was meant to be the crowning moment of Ruben Amorim’s young and promising managerial career. Having taken over at Manchester United mid-season following the departure of Erik ten Hag, Amorim brought fresh energy and tactical discipline to Old Trafford. But under the floodlights of a tense final in Budapest, his bold decisions were put to the test — and one, in particular, cost United dearly.
According to multiple post-match reports, a key tactical decision by Amorim — made in defiance of positional advice from a senior Manchester United player — backfired spectacularly and played a significant role in United’s defeat. The player in question: Bruno Fernandes.
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A Final Defined by Tactical Missteps
Manchester United went into the final against Bayer Leverkusen riding a wave of cautious optimism. Amorim had revitalized a squad that looked lost earlier in the season, pushing them through the Europa League knockouts with an impressive mix of high pressing, aggressive wing play, and midfield fluidity.
But when the team sheets were released on the evening of the final, eyebrows were raised. Amorim had opted to start Kobbie Mainoo as the deepest midfielder in a lone pivot, pushing Bruno Fernandes into a wider attacking role — a deviation from the system that had served United well throughout the tournament.
Bruno, it’s understood, had privately expressed concern to Amorim about the change. He reportedly felt the midfield would be exposed without a more experienced anchor like Casemiro sitting deep, particularly against a technically sharp Leverkusen side. Fernandes, a player known for his leadership and understanding of tempo and space, felt United would lose their ability to transition and recover defensively without a proper shield in front of the back line.
Amorim, however, stuck with his plan — and it cost him.
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The Breakdown in Midfield
The first half of the final saw Manchester United struggle to control the center of the pitch. Leverkusen, led by the imperious Florian Wirtz and Xhaka’s veteran guidance, sliced through United’s midfield with alarming ease. Mainoo, for all his talent, looked overwhelmed in a role that demanded both defensive awareness and positional discipline. The space between midfield and defense widened, and Leverkusen took full advantage.
The German side’s opening goal came directly from this vulnerability. A turnover in midfield left Mainoo stranded, and with Fernandes pushed wide, there was no cover centrally. Wirtz surged forward and played a one-two before laying it off to Frimpong, who slotted the ball past Onana with clinical precision.
United were one goal down — and the tactical gamble had already begun to unravel.
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Bruno Fernandes: The Silenced General
Throughout the match, Fernandes appeared increasingly frustrated. Though he continued to press and create from his advanced position, he was clearly uncomfortable being forced away from his natural central role. Without his influence in the middle of the park, United’s attacks lost cohesion. They failed to link the defense and forward lines effectively, and Højlund was left isolated up front.
Post-match footage showed Fernandes in a lengthy conversation with Amorim on the touchline following the final whistle — not with anger, but with evident disappointment. He had warned that removing him from the heart of midfield would unbalance the team, and the match played out as he feared.
It’s a rare example of a player with tactical acumen trying to shape the game plan — and being ignored by the manager to the team’s detriment.
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Why Amorim Took the Risk
To understand why Amorim made such a bold move, it’s important to consider his tactical philosophy. At Sporting Lisbon, he frequently used a 3-4-3 with wide playmakers and a narrow midfield duo. He often trusted younger players in key roles and believed in systems over individual brilliance.
His intent may have been to stretch Leverkusen’s defense by deploying Fernandes in a hybrid role — part playmaker, part false winger — while giving Mainoo a chance to grow under pressure. In theory, this approach could have overwhelmed the German side on the flanks and opened space centrally.
But finals are about balance as much as boldness. Amorim’s decision to sacrifice defensive stability for positional experimentation was admirable in ambition but fatally flawed in execution.
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Fallout and Fan Reaction
The backlash was swift. Manchester United fans took to social media to question why Fernandes, the team’s most influential player, was deployed out of position in the most important match of the season. Many echoed the sentiment that Amorim’s decision cost United not only tactically but psychologically — it sent the message that Fernandes’ voice in the dressing room had been diminished.
“Bruno is our captain, our leader — why change what works?” one fan tweeted. “Mainoo is brilliant, but this isn’t the time to experiment.”
Several pundits also weighed in. Former United midfielder Paul Scholes, speaking after the match, remarked: “If you’ve got someone like Bruno Fernandes who knows how to run a game, you don’t stick him out wide and hope for the best. He’s your general. Play him where he’s most effective.”
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What This Means for Amorim Going Forward
Amorim’s first few months at Manchester United have been largely positive. He steadied a sinking ship and gave young players the confidence to flourish. But the Europa League final exposed the limits of his approach — particularly when it comes to trusting instinct over collaboration.
It’s a critical moment in his career. Ignoring a senior player’s advice might be seen as a show of authority, but in elite management, knowing when to listen is just as important as knowing when to lead. Amorim’s ability to bounce back from this mistake will determine how his tenure at Old Trafford unfolds.
He must now rebuild trust in the dressing room, especially with Fernandes, who has long been the team’s on-pitch strategist. Amorim will also face scrutiny from the United board, who invested in him not just for his tactical nous, but for his man-management.
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Conclusion: A Lesson in Listening
The 2024/25 Europa League Final will be remembered as a match of missed opportunities and lessons unheeded. Ruben Amorim made a brave tactical call, but by sidelining the insight of his most experienced midfielder, he inadvertently weakened his own team.
Bruno Fernandes had sounded the alarm. The midfield was going to be exposed. And it was.
In the high-stakes world of football finals, such decisions can define careers. For Amorim, this must be a turning point — a reminder that leadership is not only about sticking to your philosophy but also knowing when to listen to those who have bled on the pitch for the badge.
Manchester United will regroup. Bruno Fernandes will continue to lead. But Amorim now carries the burden of a final lost not
by opposition brilliance alone — but by a tactical gamble that ignored sound advice.
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