Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has stressed on the importance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season as his side prepare to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, Afrosport reports.
Victory for the Red Devils in Bilbao next Wednesday will put them among Europe’s elite for the 2025-26 campaign after having a 2024-25 season to forget where they currently sit in 16th place, one spot ahead of Tottenham.
While some have suggested that winning the Europa League cannot erase United’s disappointing season, Amorim believes Champions League qualification is what matters most.
“For me, the Champions League is more important,” the Portuguese tactician said in a pre-final 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.”
Meanwhile, there have been suggestions that Amorim could resign if Man United fail to win the Europa League. The former Sporting Lisbon boss however dispelled those rumours.
“I cannot see the team having these results, especially in the Premier League, and see nothing and not take the responsibility,” he 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.”
One week out
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— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 14, 2025
Should Manchester United finish either 16th or 17th, it will be their worst ending in the league since 1973-74 when they got relegated from the English top flight.
