Postecoglou says Europa League win ‘probably destroys 50% of the narrative’ around club
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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League is "more important" than beating Tottenham to claim UEFA Europa League glory.
The two Premier League clubs will go toe-to-toe in Bilbao on May 21 - live on TNT Sports and [discovery+](https://get.discoveryplus.com/gb/watch-uefa-finals-on-discoveryplus?utm_campaign=UK-TNT-D1-TNT-C7-TNT-BAU-DR-W-Football-EuropaLeague-250101-NA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tntsports.co.uk&utm_content=story-content-text-subscribe&vid=fagptpscfz5fs79h&cid=0ee1b05714eadfd3193bf34fbc4e5980&c=%7B%22875074%22%3A%221089459%22%2C%221086912%22%3A%220%22%2C%221310352%22%3A%220%22%7D) - with a chance to lift silverware and salvage something from what has been a tumultuous domestic season for both sides.
But while Spurs are looking to snap a trophy drought that extends back to 2008, United have tasted the feeling of claiming major titles despite their recent struggles.
So for Amorim, this final represents a chance for his side to gain a seat at football’s top table once again and compete with the best of the best in Europe next season.
"Personally for me, Champions League is more important for everything, to prepare the next season, and we are supposed to be in the Champions League," Amorim said.
"Europa League here is not enough and you feel it here. This is the best way to help us to get to the top."
‘There are parallels’ - Postecoglou talks similarities with Amorim as both seek to save season
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United’s form in Europe has been in stark contrast to their domestic performances. While trying to implement a new style of play, Amorim has overseen one of the worst domestic runs in the modern history of the club.
But the Portuguese head coach has been able to mastermind a route to the Europa League final and admitted the "environment is different" amongst his players in this competition.
"A final is different," he added. "This season has been really difficult on everyone - the results and also the change in the staff and you can feel it in our club.
"We are addressing that during the season. We are changing the way we play during the season. We have so many bad results in the Premier League.
"The environment is different at the moment, but I guarantee you when we are preparing a game in the Europa League, the environment is a little bit different. Then you can feel the excitement."
However, as a former player himself, Amorim is well aware that United’s run to the final will count for little if it does not end in victory.
Not only that, it will have huge ramifications when it comes to playing in Europe next season, given their lowly position in the Premier League.
Asked if he would be drawing on his experience as a losing Europa League finalist with Benfica back in 2014, he continued: "No, it's just that feeling that I played the final as a player but I lost and it doesn't matter. You will never say that I was a finalist.
"You have to win the final, no matter what. The feeling is going to be - what a waste of time, and the pain will be tougher in the final. My message to the players - we need to win it or else it doesn't matter."