Ruben Amorim defends prioritising Europa League amid Roy Keane criticism

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United’s Premier League performances warrant criticism from the likes of Roy Keane but feels he has to play smart and take risks ahead of their make-or-break Europa League final.

The Red Devils sealed their place in the all-English showpiece against Tottenham on May 21st with Thursday’s 4-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao, wrapping up a surprise 7-1 aggregate triumph.

The Europa League offers silverware and Champions League qualification so has taken precedence towards the end of United’s worst Premier League season, leading head coach Amorim to make eight changes for last Sunday’s 4-3 loss at Brentford.

Former skipper Keane raged about focusing on European games at the expense of domestic form – something the Portuguese has to weigh up again as they face West Ham on Sunday and travel to Chelsea before the final in Bilbao.

“We are trying to do our best, but I agree we can do better,” boss Amorim said.

“I don’t have nothing to say about the criticism because we deserve it. If we cannot accept everything in this kind of season, I think we are in the wrong business. I fully acknowledge that and I agree with all the critics.

“But in this moment I think it’s really clear and we have to be smart and we have to take a risk, and we have to take the risk to get a lot of critics from everybody because the standards of Roy Keane and all of these guys are really high.

“But I have to make a choice – what is the best for the club, not what is the best for me, and I make a choice.

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“In this moment I’m going to save and try to save all the players, because it’s really important for us to win the final.”

Keane labelled United a “disgrace” on the Stick to