EXCLUSIVE Former Man United coach insists Europa League win will NOT make up for 'disastrous' Premier League campaign - and claims European exploits have 'saved' Ruben Amorim

Daily Mail​

13-05-2025

Former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen insists winning the Europa League wouldn't make up for a Premier League campaign that has been 'an utter disaster from start to finish'.
United face Tottenham in the final in Bilbao next week hoping to end a wretched season with a trophy that would also secure Champions League qualification worth £100million.
But Meulensteen doesn't believe that would paper over the cracks in United's domestic form that could see Ruben Amorim 's side finish one place above the relegation zone.
The 61-year-old Dutch coach claims the Europa League has 'saved' Amorim, and took aim at United's stars by saying Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen aren't good enough to play for the club.
'It is very simple,' said Meulensteen, who spent six years working alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. 'The Europa League has kept everybody alive including Ruben Amorim.
'Yes, he came in at the middle of the season which was something he didn't want to do. But he took the step and you have to look at the league as an utter disaster from start to finish.
'Ruben has stuck to his guns in terms of wanting to play a 3-4-3 system which has obviously worked for him in Europe, which is a bit weird and strange, but it has worked. They are in the final so that is the silver lining. Other than that, it has totally been under par.'
Asked if victory over Spurs in Bilbao would atone for the Premier League debacle, Meulensteen told Action Network: 'Absolutely not. This is the lowest they have ever finished in the Premier League.
'Never mind that, if you look at Bruno Fernandes' contribution this year with goals and assists, and take it away, it could have been worse.
'For both teams, Manchester United and Tottenham, it is vital that they win the Europa League because it gives them a ticket into the Champions League that creates extra funds and creates the possibility to sign other players they need. So there is so much riding on that final, but it doesn't make up for the league.'
Meulensteen warned that United have to rebuild in the summer or risk writing off another season. He highlighted Hojlund as one of the current stars who is not up to scratch, and believes United should try to sign Harry Kane from Bayern Munich to lead their attack.
'If not a lot is happening on the transfer front, what would be different for next season? Just because Amorim is going to have a pre-season for six weeks to play a lot of friendly games? He has now had weeks during the international break and no midweek games where he has worked with them.
'If you talk about what needs to be done, then if they could tempt Harry Kane that would be a massive boost because he is a proven goalscorer. But the system that United plays doesn't suit Harry Kane because strikers need service. He (Amorim) wants to play with two No.10s in the pocket and you're relying on the wing-backs to constantly get into those areas and put the ball in.
'I can understand why Rasmus Hojlund gets so frustrated, although I don't think he is good enough. Harry Kane is like Ruud van Nistelrooy, you get him three chances inside the box and he will score one or two. That's the numbers game so something has to be done there.'
Eriksen is set to leave as a free agent at the end of next month, along with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, but Meulensteen believes there are other players whose time at Old Trafford should be up this summer.
'In midfield, I can't see Casemiro and Christian Eriksen being there. If they are, they are definitely going in the wrong direction,' he added.
'In the back line, starting with the goalkeeper, lacking stability and can't keep clean sheets. Every team that plays United, they know they definitely have chances to score goals.
'They can open them up. If you see older combinations at the back, there's so much vulnerability and lack of stability. Whether it's Maguire, (Luke) Shaw, (Matthijs) De Ligt. There are too many players for too long that don't have the calibre to play for United.
'Should Man United build their team around Harry Maguire and Casemiro? I would say absolutely not.
'I think on their best days, they both bring something to the game. But in my opinion, neither are good enough to play for Manchester United now.
'The Premier League has run away from Casemiro, Yes, he can still find a pass and every ball tends to land on his head when he's in the box.
'But equally, I can be really critical and say the amount of missed passes, the amount of times he is reckless in tackles and the amount of players running off him (can cost the team).
Meulensteen said he can understand Rasmus Hojlund's frustrations but insisted the 22-year-old is not good enough to play for the club
'With Harry Maguire, I am not a big fan of him. It hasn't changed and I highlight the goal conceded over the weekend and how easy (Mohammed) Kudas walks past him.
'I think he lacks certain aspects of the game with speed and agility to be a really good central defender. On the ball he is okay – tidy but a little slow at times – but if they keep going with him, you will get the same results you've seen this year.
'If you did a survey with Man United fans to write down the top five central defenders, you have Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Rio Ferdinand, (Nemanja) Vidic, Jaap Stam … Maguire wouldn't even get a mention.
'That's what I mean when I talk about the standards Man United has had and where they are now.'