Manchester United have endured an awful season this season, with veteran defender and former captain Harry Maguire pulling no punches in his assessment of their campaign
Harry Maguire admitted winning the Europa League will not make up for Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League campaign. United’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle means they will finish with their lowest points total of the Premier League era, with Ruben Amorim’s side currently down in 14th place.
But United, who take on Lyon at Old Trafford tonight for a place in the Europa League semi-finals, can secure Champions League football for next season by lifting the trophy. England defender Maguire admitted United’s domestic form has been unacceptable this season and claimed winning the Europa League would only go some way to atoning for that.
“It’s been a disappointing season, there’s no doubt about it,” said Maguire. “From the start of the season we’ve been far too inconsistent. I think the performances have picked up of late.
“However I think there are key aspects in games where us players have got to take more responsibility and change them in our favour. There have been a lot of games that have been 50-50 and we’ve ended up on the bad end of a result and that’s something we do need to work on as a team, as a group of players.
“But this game is an important night for us in the competition, a big game at Old Trafford, a European night and one we’re looking forward to. It’s so important, there is no doubt about it.
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“If we do win the Europa League, it’s still going to be a disappointing season for us players, but winning that would be a big bonus. Playing for this club demands trophies and winning the Europa League would be a special one to win, of course.
“It gives us access to the Champions League next season, something we obviously can’t gain through the Premier League, because our results haven’t been good enough. It’s important we win trophies at this club.
“Every competition we play in, we’ve got to try and win, and this is the only competition we’re left in, so of course it’s a big game for us.”
Amorim admitted United are not able to be competitive in the Premier League at the moment, but said qualifying for the Champions League would enable them to be better equipped to do so.
Winning the Europa League – and qualifying for the Champions League – would be worth around £100million to United, enabling them to attract better players to strengthen this summer.
“I think it’s more about the budget,” said Amorim. “That is important when you’re planning the next season. The Champions League can change everything. I don’t think we’re ready to cope with being competitive in the Premier League and in the Champions League.
“But if you’re in this competition, you should fight to get into the Champions League. If you have Champions League, you have a different budget, to try to put a better team together for next season.
“But this team, with new players, will need time to work, so I think it’s something we will discover next season – hopefully.”
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