Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim explained why playing Champions League football is “more important” than the opportunity of winning his maiden trophy with the club when they battle Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
A triumph in Bilbao on May 21 will give a lifeline to the struggling Red Devils as direct qualification to the lucrative league phase of next season’s UEFA Champions League is also on the line.
United and Spurs are placed just outside the relegation spots in the Premier League, as the losing team in next Wednesday’s contest will miss out on playing in any European competition next season.
A return to Europe’s premiere competition is believed to be worth at least £70 million to United and would give Amorim more resources to rebuild his squad.
“For me, the Champions League is more important,” Amorim said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“For everything, to prepare for the next season.
“We are supposed to be in the Champions League. Europa League here is not enough, and you have to have that feeling here.
“The best way to help us to get to the top in a few years is the Champions League. It is not the title, the trophy.
“The most important thing is how this title could help us to get back to the top faster.”
A run to the final filled with drama has salvaged a worrying start to Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford.
Since taking charge in November, he has won just six of 25 Premier League games as the Portuguese coach has at times been brutal in the assessment of his team, including tagging them the worst in the club’s history.
However, he rejected claims that he could resign if United compound a woeful campaign with defeat in Spain.
“I cannot see the team having these results, especially in the Premier League, and see nothing and not take the responsibility,” Amorim added.
“It’s just that I have a clear idea of what to do. I understand the problems of the team, so I’m far from quitting.
“What I’m saying is that we need to perform. In the future, we need to perform or else they will change us.”
Amorim also confirmed reports that he will help fund travel for the families of his backroom staff to the final.
United have made swingeing cuts off the field in the year since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in the club, including 250 redundancies with up to 200 more to come.
Amorim admitted that negativity has played a part in United’s struggles this season, but the Europa League offers the chance for a needed boost.
“This season has been really tough on everybody. The results and also the changes in the staff. You can feel it in our club.
“We had so many bad results in the Premier League, so the environment is tough at the moment.
“But I guarantee you that when we are preparing a game in the Europa League, the environment is a little bit different and you can feel the excitement.”
