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Not Even Europa League Glory Can Save Man Utd’s Season, Says Amorim

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Ruben Amorim on Wednesday admitted that even winning the Europa League would not salvage Manchester United’s miserable season.

The fallen English giants face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, with the first leg in Spain on Thursday.

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But whatever the result at the San Mames, also the venue for May’s final, it will not disguise the fact that this has been United’s worst campaign of the Premier League era and one where bitter rivals Liverpool have equalled their record of 20 top-flight English titles.

United are currently a lowly 14th in the Premier League table, having accrued just 39 points with four matches remaining, meaning they will have to win the Europa League in order to qualify for the Champions League.

READ ALSO: EPL: Arsenal Stumble As Brentford Snatch Late Draw At The Emirates

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Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” United manager Amorim said during a pre-match press conference.

We know that nothing is going to save our season but this can be huge.

“Winning a trophy and also to get in the Champions League to have European games next year could change a lot of things in our club, even in the summer.”

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United are bidding to win the competition for the second time after their success under Jose Mourinho in 2016/17.

“As the head coach said, this is not going to save the season,” said midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

READ ALSO: EPL: Liverpool Come From Behind To Edge Southampton, Go 16 Points Clear

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But the history of United is written with titles, so that’s why we’re focused very much on tomorrow and to be able to play in the Champions League next season, so it’s very important and altogether we’re going to try and win.

Their European form has been the one saving grace for United in a difficult season where Amorim has struggled to make his presence felt domestically since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

Europa League will not change anything in our problems –- it’s going to help us to have Champions League next year, more money to spend –- but the problems are still there,” said Amorim.

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We have to change the minds of our fans with consistency, good decisions, good recruitment, good academy. This is what we need to change to take this club back to the top.

“This is more of a shortcut to go to European games. Nothing more.”

READ ALSO: EPL: Arsenal Title Bid Rocked By 0-1 West Ham Loss

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Two-time runners-up Bilbao have the added incentive of trying to reach a European final at their home ground.

They are really strong as a team, really intense, really aggressive –- even for a Spanish team they are aggressive in every duel,” Amorim said.

They have great players one v one. Nico Williams is a special player. They are the best defence in Spain in the league. We are not scoring too many goals, so it’s going to be a tough match for us.”

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United will have Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt, out since February and the start of April respectively, available.

“To start, no,” Amorim said. “But they can be in the squad for the game.”

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Former WWE Champion Hulk Hogan Is Dead

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Wrestling legend and movie star Hulk Hogan is dead.

Hulk Hogan was 71 years old.

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TMZ Sports broke the news of his passing, saying he died in his home in Clearwater, Florida, early on Thursday..

The report said several police vehicles and EMTs were parked outside his home.

Hogan’s wife, Sky had a few weeks ago denied reports that he was in a coma.

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READ ALSO: Transfer: Real Madrid Agree To Alonso’s Two Requests

She claimed that his heart was “strong” in the aftermath of recent surgeries.

Hogan was known for many professions but the most popular was wrestling.

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He also starred in movies like Rocky III, No Hold Barred and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

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Pre-season: Why I Dropped Timber, Gabriel Magalhães From Arsenal Squad vs AC Milan – Arteta

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has revealed why Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber were out of the squad for their 1-0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday night.

Bukoyo Saka’s lone strike was all the Gunners needed to beat the Italian side in Singapore on Wednesday.

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Magalhães did not take part in the game due to a niggle, while Timber is yet to return to full training.

READ ALSO:EPL: Arteta Wants FA To Overturn Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card In Arsenal Win

After the game the former Manchester City assistant coach said he did not involve the two defenders in the game to minimise risk ahead of the new season.

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The Spaniard would not want to use players who are not fully fit.

He said via Football London, “With Jurrien he is still not there. He is still not fully training yet with us. Gabby had a little niggle the other day in training.”

READ ALSO:Transfer: Arteta Gives Two Conditions To Sell Arsenal Midfielder

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He noted that Magalhães has been out so long hence the need to manage him.

Speaking about Saka, who had an injury layoff last season, Arteta said the winger is back to his best.

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Transfer: Real Madrid Agree To Alonso’s Two Requests

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Real Madrid have agreed to their manager Xabi Alonso’s two requests amid the ongoing summer transfer window.

As reported by Madrid Zone, via Cadena SER, Alonso has informed Real Madrid that he wants Dani Ceballos to stay at the club beyond this summer transfer window.

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The report added that Alonso also told Real Madrid not to sell any midfielder this summer, adding that the Los Blancos agreed to his request.

READ ALSO:Transfer: Gyokeres Set To Undergo Arsenal Medicals Ahead Of Unveiling

Recall that Ceballos has been linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

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The former Arsenal star has been linked with a move to Spanish La Liga side Real Betis this summer.

This comes after Luka Modric’s departure from the Los Blancos earlier this month.

Alonso is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the new 2025/26 LaLiga campaign after their exit at the Club World Cup at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain some days ago.

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