Man Utd face Europa League defeat to Spurs if Ruben Amorim sticks with two players

faces one of the biggest matches of his young managerial career to date on Wednesday. Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Athletic Club's San Mames Stadium - a venue in which his side have already triumphed this season.

There is much more at stake than a third trophy in as many years for United. Champions League qualification could boost Amorim's summer transfer budget from peanuts to paradise. The Portuguese tactician's torrid fortunes in the first six months of his reign at Old Trafford have highlighted how urgent a rebuild is.

United are also playing for whatever slither of pride they have left after a second successive record-low Premier League finish.

Erik ten Hag and Amorim's team of the 2024/25 season is already considered one of the worst in the club's history.

They sit 16th with one league game remaining, having failed to win back-to-back games since last term.

But the mere prospect of losing a European final to a club of Tottenham Hotspur's continental stature would further damage this team's reputation.

And being the side that allows Spurs to end their 17-year trophy drought would be the nadir of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Amorim is as under pressure as Ange Postecoglou - yet. While his record as United boss is abhorrent, there is an acceptance that he needs a summer to revamp his ranks.

But questions will continue to emerge if he names two players in his starting lineup that could easily cost the Red Devils in Bilbao.

"It helped me a lot to choose the starting XI for the final," Amorim said after Friday's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

During United's 18th league loss of the campaign, Victor Lindelof was partly culpable in a lack of marking for Marc Cucurella's winner.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund produced one of his worst performances since his ill-fated £72million arrival from Atalanta in 2023.

Both players have proven time and time again that they can't make a difference against Premier League opposition.

Lindelof will be released in the summer once his contract expires for a reason. A half-fit Leny Yoro or Matthijs de Ligt would be less of a liability. Ayden Heaven returned to the pitch against Chelsea.

Hojlund has scored four goals in 31 league games this season. The Dane's goal record in Europe since joining United is respectable, but he can't make an impact against English teams.

Amorim needs to find a plan B, whether that's reintroducing Alejandro Garnacho as a makeshift striker or using Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount or Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine.

If the Chelsea match helped him pick his Europa League final team and Lindelof and Hojlund are involved, he will deserve all the scrutiny he receives if Spurs are victorious.