Ruben Amorim says Champions League absence could benefit Man United
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim speaks to the home fans after their last match of the Premier League season against Aston Villa on May 25.
PHOTO: AFP
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KUALA LUMPUR – Missing out on Champions League football could be a blessing in disguise, said Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim as he attempts to rebuild the fallen English giants.
The Portuguese coach addressed the media in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, fresh from United’s worst season since 1974, having finished 15th in the Premier League.
They also missed out on a Champions League lifeline – and with it a financial windfall – by losing to fellow English Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the Europa League final last week.
“I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform better, to prepare better for games, to build that core that we need for the future,” said Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag midway during the season but failed to spark a turnaround.
“So I think it’s a good thing for us to take advantage not to have European games,” added the 40-year-old, whose phone alarm went off during the press conference ahead of the May 28 friendly against the Asean All-Stars, sparking laughter among members of the media.
Fielding a mix of young and senior players, the Red Devils lost 1-0 to the Asean All-Stars in front of 72,550 fans at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, where Myanmar’s Maung Maung Lwin bagged the only goal in the 70th minute, off a through-ball from Australian winger Adrian Segecic.
The Red Devils, who will also play Hong Kong on May 30, have travelled with a 32-man squad featuring the majority of the first team, including Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho and captain Bruno Fernandes.
“We always prepare two plans. With and without the Champions League. Without the Champions League, we also don’t need a big squad,” Amorim said.
“We can control the squad in a better way. Then we have a plan, that is to bring in some new players, but our big plan is to improve the team we have, to improve the academy.”
With money tight to get the right players in over the summer for his favoured formation, the United boss faces a stiff task to get his team back among the elite next season.
“The target for now is to win the first game. We have a lot to do during this summer. We have to prepare the team,” he said. “When you are Manchester United, people are going to expect us to be at the top.
“But I don’t want the team to think about a big target, just a small target by winning the first game and then to the second game.”
United hope friendlies in Malaysia and Hong Kong will bring in some much-needed revenue, with the BBC reporting that the trip will generate about £7.8 million (S$13.6 million) for the club.
Along with the funds that could come from player sales, that will help Amorim bring in players to beef up the squad, with the British media reporting that United have triggered the £62.5 million release clause in the contract of Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha.
But Amorim was tight-lipped when asked about Cunha after the May 28 friendly.
With a smile, he said: “No, no, no. Let’s finish the season and then we’ll see.”
Midfielder Mason Mount insisted he was delighted to arrive in Malaysia despite jetting off just hours after the 2-0 win over Aston Villa on May 25.
Fans gathered at Kuala Lumpur’s airport to welcome the team on May 26 evening.
“We got off the plane, there were hundreds of people waiting for us to take pictures and welcome us to the country. We’re excited to be over here and obviously looking forward to the game,” he said.
One player who will be leaving Old Trafford is midfielder Christian Eriksen.
The 33-year-old Dane believes better days are ahead for United, with Amorim set to create “a very different team next season”.
“I think you’ve seen progress – of course the results haven’t really shown that,” he told the PA news agency. “One hundred per cent the results haven’t shown that.
“I think the football we came from (Erik) ten Hag to this is obviously going to take time to adapt, and obviously it’s been far below the standard of the club and the players here.
“But I think the players individually are very, very good players, and they should never be where we are in the table. It’s up to them to turn around but, yeah, I’m confident they’ll be a very different team next season, I’m sure.” REUTERS, AFP
