MAN UNITED’s board remain firmly behind Ruben Amorim – despite their Europa League nightmare.The Red Devils are staring at a £10million financial blackhole with no European football at Old Trafford next season following their defeat to Tottenham.Ruben Amorim suffered Europa League heartache in BilbaoCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe consoles his manager AmorimCredit: AlamyAnd Amorim said after the game in Bilbao he will walk away with no compensation if the owners have lost belief in him.The former Sporting Lisbon coach has won just six of 26 Premier League matches since taking charge back in November.The Europa League was the chance to save the season with the Champions League place on offer to the winners – but they blew that too.However SunSport understands Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers remain firmly behind the 40-year-old boss they appointed.And sources at the club say the Old Trafford board have no issues over his position as preparations for next season begin.The Ineos magnate was seen hugging his manager after the players had collected their runners-up medals in the San Mames.United return to England today to prepare for their final match on this disastrous campaign – against Aston Villa on Sunday.Straight after that, Amorim will take his players on a week long post season tour of the Far East – where they will play matches in Malaysia and Hong Kong.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn late July their pre season tour will be to the USA before the new season starts in mid-August.While his job is not under threat, Amorim admitted last week that failure to win the Europa League would turn the heat up on him.Ruben Amorim offers to quit Man Utd ‘without any conversation about compensation’ if board want him goneAsked if failing to win the trophy would increase the pressure on him, he said: “Yeah for sure if we don’t win. But I’m not concerned about that.“I don’t want to use that as an excuse, it’s going to be really tough.“The patience of the fans and you guys (media) the patience for next season will be at the limit – we will have to be perfect.”TAKING STOCKSIR JIM Ratcliffe’s uncomfortable glower as he stood alongside Daniel Levy in Bilbao might have got deeper if he had glanced at the reaction of the REAL money men to United’s Europa League debacle.Ratcliffe paid £26 per share for his 27.5 per cent stake in the club in February last year, adding up to £1.25bn, with a further £237.7m invested in shares subsequently.That investment effectively valued the club at £4.54bn. But the value of United shares on the New York Stock Exchange, which has already fallen dramatically amid financial uncertainty in the USA this year, plunged further in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle in San Mames.After market trading saw each United share fall to less than £10 before recovering slightly to £10.18 each. It left the club with a market capitalisation of just £1.87bn for the ENTIRE club – an amazing £2.67bn less than in February 2024.It means Ratcliffe’s shares have more than halved in value in 15 months. The figures are hardly an inducement for him to splash even more cash over the coming seasons, especially with those £2bn stadium plans looming. And with no Champions League next season – or any European football for that matter – there’s a £100m-size hole in the budget.The defeat to Tottenham alone sent United’s market value plunging by £125m.Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Daniel Levy’s expressions could hardly be differentCredit: AlamyLEGEND’S FRUSTRATIONNORMAN Whiteside’s wife Dee has revealed that she and her husband will not be renewing their season tickets at Man Utd.The Northern Irishman, 60, played for the Red Devils between 1982 and 1989, winning two FA Cups along the way.Whiteside has remained a huge fan of the club since hanging up his boots, but he won’t be a season ticket holder next year amid changes made under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership.The United icon’s wife Dee wrote on X: “So, I’ve waited for a while to write this.”It is with unbelievable sadness, that after more than 28 years of having season tickets at Old Trafford, @NormanWhiteside and I are not renewing next year.”Having been forcibly relocated last season, “red carded” for not attending enough games, unable to give my “paid for” seat to my children… enough is enough.”And to cap it all, we’ve seen it all, we’ve won the lot, we’re Man United and we’re never gonna stop… except for so many seasons now, my match going loyalty to my club has ended so sadly.”I’ll still be at games, I’m MUFC until I die, and I’ve seen worse times than now, but I’m not sure I’ve seen players less interested in pulling on our shirt for very many years.”Times must change.”Last year, Dee revealed that United had relocated their season tickets in order to add further corporate seating.She wrote at the time: “So, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a loyal supporter, doesn’t matter if you played for your club, @ManUtd can just dump you from your seat when they feel like it, so they can expand exec seating! Absolute disgrace!”Norman Whiteside has been married to wife Dee for decadesCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdWhiteside played for Man Utd with distinction between 1982 and 1989Credit: Getty – ContributorHE’S A KEEPERMANCHESTER United should not give up on Andre Onana, according to a man who knows all about the pressures of playing in goal for them.Champions League winner Tomasz Kuszczak, who spent six years at Old Trafford, believes Onana’s team-mates should take a lot of the blame for his dismal performances this season.Speaking before the Europa League final, where the Cameroonian hardly covered himself in glory, Kuszczak said: “It’s not about a goalkeeper in this case. The whole team needs to take responsibility.”There’s fantastic players, but they need to perform better, simple as that.”So if the rest of the team was playing better, then it would be OK.”The Pole, 43, who also won three league titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, added: “I’ve been playing in teams like United for example, we’ve been in very good form and everyone is looking good, including the goalkeeper.”If the team doesn’t perform the right way, and the goalkeeper is tested every game, it’s difficult for him as well.”The more saves you do, the more chance you’ll make some small mistakes, and this is very normal in football.”I think Onana is doing well, he doesn’t make so many errors.”As I say, it’s all about the team. They all need to play better next season.”Tomasz Kuszczak played for Man Utd between 2006 and 2012Credit: PA:Press AssociationNAN THE WISERAFTER the less than celebrated managerial careers of Gary Neville, Roy Keane and – so far – Ruud van Nistelrooy, one ex-United player who won’t be rushing into the dugout is Nani.The 112-cap Portugal icon, who hung up his boots at the age of 38 in December, is happy to have a break and to stay away from top level football for now.Speaking after starring in a game of legends in Bilbao before the Europa League final, Nani said: “I’m enjoying retirement. I’m taking some time to learn a little bit more about it, how we have to behave.”Lucky I have my own academy (in Portugal).”I’m doing it with my kids, train them, so sometimes I travel with them, with the legends games.”So I’m enjoying it so far.”Pressed on his long-term dreams, the former winger, who won four titles and the Champions League with United, added: “I’m doing a lot of things, so the most important thing is I’m enjoying it, and the future we will know.Nani retired from professional football last DecemberCredit: GettyNani starred for Man Utd alongside Cristiano RonaldoCredit: GettyNO WAY BACKDESPITE the feeble end to United’s season there will be no way back for three big name stars who have spent the last few months away from the club.Marcus Rashford and Antony were both sent out on loan in January with the blessing of Ruben Amorim.Both have got themselves back on track at Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively – but have no future at Old Trafford.The same goes for Jadon Sancho who is unlikely to win a permanent move to Chelsea despite a fee being agreed when he moved to Stamford Bridge on loan in the summer.Finding a new home for those three – ideally permanent ones – will be the top priority for Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada this summer.THE DIE IS CASTMAN United staff and their families gathered for a special screening of the Europa League final at Diecast – a converted warehouse in Ancoats on Wednesday night. The mood around the club has been low in recent months but even so around 1000 people attended the event.The result and a lack of European football next season will have done nothing to raise spirits among the rank and file who have seen so many of their colleagues lose their jobs over the last 16 months. Not surprisingly the mood was described as sombre as people made their way out soon after the final whistle.OLD BOYS CLUBPLENTY of United old boys were spotted in Bilbao carrying out various media and ambassadorial duties around the final.Among them were Rio Ferdinand, Denis Irwin, Wes Brown, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel, Wayne Rooney, Nani, Andy Cole and Dimitar Berbatov.Plenty of medals there then. How the fans – and Ruben Amorim – must have wished they had some of those to call on during a miserable night for their team.SHAW THINGLUKE Shaw has been at United for 11 years now – although he has spent most of the last few seasons on the treatment table.Odd then that he referred to the club as ‘Manchester’ in various television interviews. Probably not the best way to win back the supporters.The England defender also admitted he is not sure if he is good enough for United anymore – there are plenty who believe he isn’t. More
