Ruben Amorim sends direct Man Utd warning to Tottenham as Europa League vow made

Ruben Amorim vowed to go all out for Europa League glory after Manchester United joined Tottenham in the last four of the competition.

The Red Devils were involved in an epic nine-goal thriller at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot had put the home side ahead but Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico goals in quick succession took the match to extra-time. Despite Tolisso’s sending off for two bookable offences Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette rocked United with strikes of their own.

But Amorim’s men dug deep and went on to secure a scarcely believable victory as Bruno Fernandes’ penalty was followed by Kobbie Mainoo’s excellent 120th-minute leveller and Harry Maguire’s match-winning header moments later. It means Man Utd will play Athletic club in the semi-finals, while Tottenham face Bodo/Glimt after their 1-0 victory against Frankfurt on Thursday.

“The sound of the two last goals were amazing and that is something we can keep for the future,” the United boss said after an unforgettable 7-6 aggregate triumph. “In the end you go to the semi-finals but you need to win it. If you go the semi-finals and don’t win it, it’s the same feeling. We just need to focus on the next stage and try to win the competition.

“I think that (ending is) why we like this sport so much and all the frustration that the coach has in this kind of season, the frustration, the bad moments, when you had a moment like this it’s all worth it. But then you finish, you calm down and then you start thinking we have a game on Sunday (against Wolves). Then we have to see all the players if they are fit to play because we have to focus on the Europa League.”

Asked how big this moment can be, Amorim said: “I think these kind of moments can help a lot players in this kind of season, in this kind of context. They can create some connection between the fans and the players, and we can forget for a few minutes what kind of season we are having.

“Today is a good feeling but tomorrow we need to start everything again. So we need to focus on the next game, to focus on the players, if they are fit to play. We have to take the risk in to save some players because if you look at the our season, the most important thing is clear for everybody. It’s the Europa League.”

Dominic Solanke’s spot-kick two minutes before half-time was enough for Tottenham against Frankfurt and Postecoglou can now focus on a two-legged semi-final with Bodo/Glimt in May with the club on course to win its first trophy in 17 years.

“Super proud of the lads. Going away from home, a quarter-final against a very good side, you know you’re going to have to work really hard, be really disciplined and we needed to score," the Tottenham boss said.

“We had to show the quality we had as well. To a man I just thought they were outstanding. Look, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We’re in the semi-final and will play a difficult opponent in the semi, but it’s not about my belief in the team.

“What’s more important is the belief the team has had because after a season like ours, it would be very easy for the players and staff, they could have left me in a pretty vulnerable place in terms of them splintering, but I’ve never felt that (even) with all the noise around our season.

“They’ve been so united in believing in what we’re trying to achieve here and that is what gave me heart all along that if we got our own slice of luck in terms of getting some players back, that I really believed this team could achieve. That is what keeps driving me.

“Not at any stage have I felt they lost any belief in me or what we’re doing. That is crucial when you’re having a difficult season, but there is also a season of opportunity there.”

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