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Wednesday 05 March 2025 19:41
Ruben Amorim says that the Europa League can ‘change everything’ for Manchester United next season, but that it is not crucial for the club’s future in the transfer market.
Sunday’s exit to Fulham in the Emirates FA Cup means probably our last realistic hope of qualifying for continental competition next season lies in lifting this trophy in Bilbao in May.
That would secure a spot in the Champions League, which would not only be a financial boon for the club but a boost for all around Old Trafford.
But, in his pre-match press conference ahead of the meeting with Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, Amorim said qualifying for UEFA’s top tournament is not necessary when it comes to attracting premier talent to the club…
Amorim and De Ligt’s press conference Video
Amorim and De Ligt’s press conference
PRESS CONFERENCE | Get the latest news and views from San Sebastian, after Ruben and Matthijs sat down with the media…
EUROPEAN PLACE NOT CRUCIAL
“I think it’s not the crucial thing for the future of the club. That is my view. I’m here for three months and I think that is clear, but I understand it’s a massive difference in our season, especially because we are out of the cups and in a bad position in the league. That [the Europa League] could change a lot of things, even the way they see the coach. So I know it’s a massive pressure but I will say it again: Manchester United can call all the best players, even without Champions League in the future. We have to change a lot of things and we’re trying to do that. There’s more important things than winning cups in this moment. That is my feeling, but I understand winning Europa League can change everything for us in the next season.”
Read the rest of our head coach’s quotes below…
EXPLAINING YOUNGSTERS’ ABSENCE
“It’s a different context in that moment. Rasmus and Josh was playing in the same position [as Chido Obi] so we try to manage all the things, even the expectations of the kids. So it was that. The context was completely different and we choose different players [for the Europa League].”
“He [Jack Fletcher] didn’t train with us, and he had a game before Fulham. [Harry] Amass is here today – in the last game against Fulham we wanted Amass also but because he played a full game against Arsenal he was not in our squad. We try to manage all the teams and try to imagine the substitutions and we know to bring some players [in] is a big step. We are taking care of the expectations of the kids.”
WE’RE USED TO THESE TESTS
“We have a lot of experience. Matta [Matthijs de Ligt] is a young player, but he has a lot of experience. We are ready. The good thing about playing in the Premier League is that there is a lot of experience. We are ready for everything. It’s a big challenge. We are going to face a very good team – vey intense, with a lot of experience and international players. But we are ready because we face those teams every weekend.”
NO RISKS WITH HARRY AND MANUEL
“Small things. So we are being careful with them because in this moment we cannot allow us to lose more players for a long time. We are taking care of them in Carrington and they cannot play this game because it will be a greater risk.”
A LOT TO CONSIDER WITH THE KIDS
“When I put the squad I see the players that I have that train with us and then I imagine the substitutions. That’s why I sometimes call it one or two. Then I’m trying to see if they train with us. Then I’m trying to see if they come here to play or be on the bench for you guys to be seeing a lot of youth. I’m trying to manage everything. I know it’s a big step for them. I’m trying to cope with everything. When I do my squad, I’m trying to think about every aspect, of the formation of the kid, of the squad and not if it will look really well with the fans and the media.”
WE NEED TO CREATE FOR STRIKERS
“Sometimes there are things that are hard to explain. For example, before the last match, we had some games without opportunities and chances and that is impossible for them to score, so it’s a team thing. I felt like, in the last games, sometimes it’s luck, the way we keep the ball a little bit more a metre inside. We had opportunities to score, we didn’t score. Sometimes, really that’s it. One thing is to create situations. We created in the last game but, in certain moments we need a little bit of luck and, when you score one, you take out the big pressure and you score two or three in the next games.”
STILL GOT SELF-BELIEF
“Yes. What I mean is that we have to think as a club, as a long project and not just solve things in this moment, and if we win the cup, we are in a bad position, and if we win the Europa League, we will be in an amazing position in the next year, because the problems would continue here even with the Champions League. That’s what I want to say and I know you guys make counts of my reasoning. I’m just trying to show I don’t care and I’m really confident on the big goal of this club, that’s all. I’m trying to show the big picture to our supporters, that’s all.
“I know what to do. Sometimes, this is the result, it’s a life of results and you have to win games. I know the consequences when we don’t win games but I’m really confident. Since day one, I’m a little bit more frustrated but I’m still confident.”
IT’S NOT ABOUT SYSTEMS!
“I think it’s quite simple. I think we talk about the system, I think the system, it’s not the problem. It’s the way of playing. You build up with three, with two defenders and one midfielder going down so it’s quite simple. I don’t see football like that. The problem of our team is not the system. We have a lot of problems. We are trying to work on these problems. Of course, every system needs different characteristics but I was always really clear: I have one idea and I’m still really confident because I have an idea of how to play football and I will not change that no matter what. I will not change that. I’m not talking about the system, it’s the way I see football. I will not change that. We are going to do it – or not, we will see.”
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Wednesday 05 March 2025 19:41
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