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Manchester United fans continue their rollercoaster season as the 2024/25 campaign enters its final weeks.
The Red Devils are on course for their worst-ever Premier League finish as the 13-times winners face the prospect of finishing inside the bottom half for the first time in EPL history.
Ruben Amorim's start to life in Manchester has yielded mixed results with the deeper issues at Old Trafford laid bare in a catastrophic league campaign.
The final chance for Amorim and his players to resurrect something from 2024/25 lies in the UEFA Europa League as they head to Athletic Bilbao for a semifinal first leg on May 1.
Despite their domestic struggles, United have battled on in Europe, including a wild quarterfinal win from the death against Lyon, at the quarterfinal stage.
A clash against the La Liga giants will pose a fresh test for Amorim, with Bilbao hosting the 2025 final, and his team need to be at their very best to reach the final.
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If United can pull off the incredible - and win the Europa League - that will seal automatic qualification for next season's Champions League, despite finishing some distance away from the UCL spots in the Premier League.
Midfield star Manuel Ugarte admitted the Europa League will be the defining factor of the season and the Uruguayan hinted at the reduced physicality of the competition aiding the team.
"A main difference [for the team] has been the physical part. I think that we've felt better in Europe, in the Europa League. That was a main difference," as per quotes from the Manchester Evening News.
Ugarte's remarks will not come as a surprise to many United fans, who have watched their team struggle with the intensity of league games this season, but the data tells a different story.
As per Fbref.com, United top the EPL for tackles [736] and tackles won [442] plus a league-leading 340 interceptions.
If United can get into the final, they will face either fellow EPL strugglers Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt, in the final at the Estadio San Mames on May 21.
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