Abysmal Ruben Amorim record piles on pressure as Man Utd become laughing stock again

No wonder Ruben Amorim admits he never knows which version of his side will turn up. Just 72 hours after beating Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate to reach the final, Amorim and his players were cast back in their familiar role this season as the Premier League's laughing stock.

Since taking over in November, Amorim has overseen 25 games, losing 13 and winning just six, to leave United languishing down in 16th place. This defeat was their 17th in the league this season, the most since they were relegated in 1974, with United having lost more league games at home this season than away – nine at Old Trafford compared to eight on the road.

No wonder there were great swathes of empty red seats all around the stadium, long before the final whistle. It is a truly abysmal record, one that would surely have got Amorim the sack at the end of the season, were it not for an all or nothing shot at redemption in the shape of the Europa League final.

Just as winning the last season saved Erik ten Hag, albeit only for a few months, lifting the Europa League trophy in Bilbao on May 21 is likely to prolong Amorim's tenure.

But defeat to in the San Mames Stadium, on the back of such a lamentable domestic campaign, will see legitimate questions asked about Amorim's future. Even though Amorim made six changes to the side that overcame Bilbao, there was enough talent and experience within his starting line-up to produce a more competitive performance than the limp offering that has become an all-too familiar story for United this season.

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In contrast, were ebullient from start to finish and worthy winners, taking the lead in the 26th minute, with former United full-back Aaaron Wan-Bissaka playing Mohammed Kudus in behind the home defence. Kudus feigned to cross, fooling Amad and allowing him time and space to drill a delivery into the six-yard box, where Tomas Soucek was waiting to turn the ball over the line.

It was no more than the visitors deserved, after a confident and enterprising start to the game, in contrast to the hosts, who lacked fluency in their build-up play and had no cutting edge up front. Rasmus Hojlund, with just four Premier League goals all season, continued to toil up front, his ineffective display underlining the need for United to sign a prolific and proven scorer this summer, to lead their insipid attack.

Hojlund found himself through on goal just after the half-hour mark, courtesy of a delivery from Manuel Ugarte, but the £72million forward produced a slapstick attempt at controlling the ball, which flew off his right boot and behind for a goal-kick.

James Ward-Prowse was presented with a chance to double West Ham's lead two minutes after the restart, but sent his low shot straight at United keeper Altay Bayindir. But Graham Potter's side made it 2-0 in the 57th minute, Ugarte weak in possession and giving up the ball cheaply under pressure from Wan-Bissaka, enabling Kudus to surge towards the United goal.

Kudus saw his shot blocked, the ball spun to Wan-Bissaka, who picked out at the far post, the West Ham skipper presented with the simplest of finishes from close-range. Hojlund looked certain to score with 11 minutes left, but Alphonse Areola pulled off a fine save at point-blank range to deny him, moments after sub Harry Haguire had flashed a header wide.

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