Manchester United take on Chelsea in their last assignment before next week's Europa League final as he challenged his players to put their hands up for selection
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Ruben Amorim has challenged his Man Utd players to put their hands up for selection
Ruben Amorim has challenged his Man Utd players to put their hands up for selection
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim has told his Manchester United stars Friday night's clash at Chelsea is their audition for next week's Europa League final. Amorim's side go to Stamford Bridge in 16th place in the table, after United's worst season of the Premier League era, one which has seen them suffer 17 defeats.
United's entire season hinges on next Wednesday's Europa League final showdown with fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham in Bilbao. As well as lifting the trophy, the winners will also go straight into next season's Champions League, which is worth up to £100million in revenue.
With so much on the line next week, Amorim has told his squad there are still places up for grabs before he decides on his starting line-up for the final.
Asked if some players still have a chance of forcing their way into his line-up for the showpiece game against Spurs, Amorim said: "Yes, that is clear. We want to win at Chelsea and we want to perform. I know the starting eleven I am thinking of for Chelsea and then I will see.
"Even the way we play there against Chelsea, I will see it and it will be important for the next game. It's going to be a massive part of this game to go to the next one, so we need to perform and they need to perform - that's an important thing. We cannot spend eight or nine days without a game before the final. That is a bad thing for the final. So we will prepare for the game."
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Amorim is desperate to see United finish their miserable league campaign on a high and not write off the final two fixtures just because of the importance of the final. The United boss added: "The best way is to face the game like we should face the game – that is to win the game.
"We need to perform, to win points in the Premier League. That's the feeling. We talked about this after the West Ham game. We need to improve in the way we face competitions and stay focused in every moment of the game. These details matter. The only way I know how to prepare for a final is that in the normal game for our league, we must play the same way as we would do in a final.
Man Utd's stars are desperate to feature in next week's final
Man Utd's stars are desperate to feature in next week's final
"The players have to understand that if you play or don't play against Chelsea, it means nothing in terms of the final. That's important. I'm just preparing for the game at Chelsea. That's my focus. We want to win and we want to perform."
With doubts over the long-term fitness of Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, Amorim has hinted he could sign a new centre-back this summer.
Amorim said: "I was thinking about next year and the squad, if we need another guy, if it's a long injury. That's my concern. It's not just about the final. Of course I want every player to be fit. But Leny Yoro had that problem with his foot. I was so concerned about the next season, the next squad, the way we build up the squad. That was my biggest concern."
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