Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes cracked a joke about his manager, Ruben Amorim, being under pressure ahead of the Europa League final on Wednesday night. The Red Devils are set to face Tottenham in Bilbao, with the chance for one side to bow out of their respectively poor campaigns on a positive note.

Spurs’ disappointing campaign has prompted Ange Postecoglou to come under increased pressure in north London, with suggestions that the Aussie boss could be sacked regardless of whether Tottenham end their trophy drought – with the club sitting in 17th place in the table and just 13 points above the relegation zone.

Speaking on Tuesday, Amorim was asked about how he feels that his opposite number is under fire despite United being equally as poor. The reporter said: “Ange Postecoglou has just been in here answering questions about whether he might still be in his job whatever the result tomorrow.

“Are you surprised, grateful that you don’t seem to be under the same kind of pressure despite the fact that your team has a similar record?”

But before Amorim even had a chance to respond, Fernandes then interjected to quip that his manager is under pressure in the Old Trafford dugout, saying: “He is. Who told you he's not? He is.”

Fernandes, Amorim and Harry Maguire – also at the conference – all laughed at the remark. The United manager then replied to joke that his skipper was positioning for his position if he was sacked, saying: “He wants my job. He’ll be a very, very good coach but he has to work on his mindset, he doesn’t know how to deal with people.”

After the trio recomposed themselves, Amorim then answered the question truthfully, admitting he wasn’t sure why fans were not putting him under pressure. He explained: “I don't know. In this kind of club, also Tottenham, it is strange that you have some coaches who lose games and get sacked.

“I think people see that sometimes I am thinking more about the club than myself. We have a lot of issues that in the context is really hard. I don't know how to explain how the fans like me in this moment. I try to prove myself to the fans, to the board."