Ruben Amorim used his final-day speech on the Old Trafford pitch to apologise to Manchester United fans and players. The Red Devils defeated Aston Villa to round off the campaign on a positive note but Amorim is determined to immediately draw a line under a torrid 2024/25 season.

With the scores now settled, United have ended up 15th in the table with only 11 victories and 44 goals scored from their 38 matches. They also missed out on an unlikely Champions League spot on Wednesday with defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.

Aston Villa felt their pain on Sunday, with their 2-0 loss at Old Trafford shutting them out of the top five in a devastating blow to manager Unai Emery. But Amorim's speech was all about the hurt United have endured this term, and he personally said sorry to both supporters and his squad.

"I apologise for this season," he said, pacing around with a microphone in-hand. "I'm really disappointed with the team. I know it was really hard to support us in many games. But now we have to make a choice. We stay stuck in the past, because this season is in the past, it’s over, and we fight each other, or we stick together and move forward."

An applause rippled around Old Trafford as Amorim continued: "Now I want to say sorry to my players. Sometimes I was not fair, but I always try to be honest with you guys."

The Portuguese also addressed comments he made earlier in the season and predicted that, with a vital summer transfer window up ahead and time to drill his coaching methods into the players, the horizon looks bright.

"Six months ago, in my first three games in charge, with two victories and one draw, I said to you the storm is coming," Amorim proclaimed. "Today, after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming. If there is one club in the world that proved in the past that it can overcome any situation, any disaster, it is our club, it is Manchester United Football Club."

Amorim gave his speech in the pouring rain, and after such a turbulent season, the manager and his squad risked being bombarded by the thousands piled into Old Trafford. The former Sporting manager's speech ended up being well received, but he has now piled pressure on himself to turn United's fortunes around next campaign.