Ruben Amorim admits Lyon win could make things ‘completely different’ for Man Utd

Ruben Amorim has had an up-and-down first season as Manchester United’s head coach but the team still have a chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League

Ruben Amorim has admitted Manchester United’s progress under him will be even quicker if they can go all the way and win the Europa League. The Europa League represents United’s last chance of winning a trophy this season, after their worst-ever Premier League campaign, with Amorim’s side currently down in 13th place.

Winning the Europa League is worth around £100million to United. It would see them qualify for the Champions League, improve their spending power this summer and their ability to attract better quality players.

Against that backdrop, ahead of United’s quarter-final first leg tie against Lyon on Thursday, Amorim admitted their entire season hinges on winning the Europa League and what it would bring. “It’s really important in all aspects,” said Amorim. “The first one is to win a title, a European title. Winning something like that will be massive for us, for our confidence.

“Then the future, to play in the Champions League next season for our club it will be completely different – the environment, the way we are going to face the summer, the budget for the summer – everything is connected with this competition.”

While United have struggled in the Premier League this season, losing a record 13 games, they are unbeaten in the Europa League, winning six games and drawing four. Asked why United have been so much better in Europe and so poor domestically, Amorim said: “I don’t think it’s anything tactical, I truly believe it’s the pace of the game, the physicality of the game.

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“We have the best league in the world. Sometimes in the games you don’t see a lot of intensity but I can guarantee you, compared to games in the Europa League, it’s completely different.

“If you have one more second to think with the ball, it’s a different game. Until now, I felt a difference when we play in the Europa League and when we play any Premier League game, so that small space of time can give us an advantage to play better.”

United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has returned to the squad after missing the last two months with a muscular injury, with Amorim warning the England star he is not yet the finished article.

“When I see Kobbie, I see a lot of talent, but I see some things that he has to improve,” said Amorim. “In the build-up, he needs to improve. When I see Kobbie, I don’t see a full player at the moment, because he’s 19. So if I say to Kobbie ‘No, you are done, you are the finished player’ I’m not helping Kobbie.”

On the threat of Lyon, fifth in France’s Ligue 1, Amorim said: “If you look at their team, they are stronger, faster and bigger than Real Sociedad [United’s last opponents].

“They are a strong team physically, but have a type of team that is really based on possession. So it’s going to be a different game to the last one.”

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