Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stressed the importance of winning the Europa League this season, describing it as “massive” for the club as he seeks to rebuild a team on course for its worst top-flight finish since 1990.
United will face Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, with the competition serving as their only remaining path to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Missing out on Europe’s premier club competition is expected to cost Manchester United at least £100 million ($127.6 million), adding significant financial pressure to a club already facing limited budget flexibility.
“It’s really important in all aspects,” Amorim told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. “The first thing is to win a title, especially a European title. In this season and context, winning something like that is massive for us, for our confidence, and for the future.
“For next season, playing in the Champions League is completely different. The environment, how we approach the summer, the budget, everything is connected to this competition, and we know the pressure.”
United remain unbeaten in the Europa League this season, having won six of their last seven matches after starting the group stage with three consecutive draws.
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo returns to the squad for the first time in two months after recovering from a muscular injury, though Amorim plans to ease the 19-year-old back into action.
“He had some games out, so we have to be careful with his fitness,” said Amorim. “We are really happy to have more options, and someone like Kobbie Mainoo, with his quality. He can play in different positions… so we are pleased to have him, but we need to be cautious. We need him fit and fresh.”
While Mainoo is available, Luke Shaw could make his first appearance since December, though Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been left out of the squad due to a foot injury.
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