Manchester United could secure a spot in next season's Champions League if they beat Tottenham in next week's Europa League final
19:35, 14 May 2025
Ruben Amorim the manager of Manchester United applauds their support after the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Semi Final
Ruben Amorim has found life tough at Manchester United so far(Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim admits he is on a hiding to nothing as Manchester United boss.
Amorim faces the biggest game of his managerial career next week when United meet Tottenham in the Europa League final. The winner-takes-all clash in Bilbao will see the triumphant side book a place in the Champions League next season.
Amorim has revealed he would rather secure qualification for the Champions League than get his hands on a big trophy. But the Portuguese also admits being in club football's biggest competition will harm his chances of developing his team. Not being in Europe at all would give Amorim more time to focus on improving United's chances of Premier League success.
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Amorim said: "Personally for me, I think Champions League is more important for everything, to prepare the next season. We are supposed to be in Champions League and the Europa League here is not enough. You get that feeling here.
"But we need more time with the team. We need to arrange a lot of things at Carrington, not thinking game by game by game.
"Then we have the squad. We've proved this year we need to be a better squad, to win European games and then be a better team in the Premier League."
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Manchester United
A host of players could leave Manchester United this summer(Image: Getty Images)
With the stakes so high in northern Spain next week, Amorim knows losing is bordering on unthinkable. He said: "It is going to be really bad (if United lose).
"I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but the patience of the fans and you guys (media) next year, if we don't win, it is going to be on the limit. For sure, if we don't win, that is clear."
Despite a catalogue of domestic disasters, Amorim insists success in Europe means there is still a positive spirit in the camp ahead of the crunch all-English showdown. And he is desperate to give long-suffering fans some significant reward for sticking with the team through thick and thin.
Manchester United players celebrate after reaching the Europa League final
Manchester United players celebrate after reaching the Europa League final(Image: AP)
He said: "I think, you feel a final is different. This season has been really tough on everyone, the results but also the change in the staff. You can feel it in our club.
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"We are addressing that. We have had so many bad results in Premier League, so the environment is tough. But when we are preparing a game in the Europa League, the environment is a bit different.
"It is hard to have a message for the fans. You can see it in every Sunday here, they are always supporting the team. We lost a lot of games at home, I think it is nine, but they are always supporting. The connection with the fans is really important. Especially in this kind of club. It can be a game-changer."
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