The Reds had been on top for much of the Europa League last-16 tie’s opening 70 minutes, going ahead in the second half through Joshua Zirkzee, before being pegged back when Mikel Oyarzabal levelled things back up from the spot.
La Real were awarded the opportunity to equalise from 12 yards after referee Ivan Kruzliak attended the VAR monitor to see Bruno Fernandes handle the ball inside the box, an incident that Amorim believes came at a time when United’s exhausting recent encounters were beginning to take their toll.
His side never properly recovered control of the contest and was perhaps fortunate not to go behind on aggregate after a late onslaught from the home team.