Ruben Amorim has one shot left at silverware this season (Image: Getty)
Ruben Amorim doesn’t need to be reminded that hopes of salvaging this season rest firmly on the . Languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table and already knocked out of both domestic cups, it’s been a campaign to forget for the Red Devils.
Despite their domestic woes, continental competition has provided some welcome respite for United this season. Ahead of their last-16 clash against Real Sociedad, the three-time European champions remain unbeaten in the Europa League, having avoided defeat in each of their eight league phase outings.
With next to nothing left to play for in either of the cups or the league, Amorim can afford to put all of United’s eggs in the Europa League basket. There’s an added pressure to winning the competition as well, given the champions gain automatic qualification into the Champions League – a competition United have next to no hope of qualifying for via the league.
A guaranteed £15million is banked for just making the league phase alone, with extra millions on offer to clubs based on their results and how far into the competition they go. United – quite literally – cannot afford to miss out on football again.
But what if United winning the Europa League – and subsequently qualifying for the Champions League – ended up doing Amorim and co. more harm than good?
It’s a distinct possibility, at least based on the opening five months of his time in charge. United have regressed under the dogmatic Portuguese coach, who remains wedded to his three-at-the-back system.
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Manchester United were dumped out of the FA Cup on Sunday (Image: Getty)
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Despite calls to change the side’s set-up, Amorim has stuck by the formation, insisting he’ll find a way to make it work. However, to do just that, he’ll need time on the training ground – something that playing in the Champions League next season won’t give him.
The bottom line is that United, in their current state, simply aren’t good enough to compete at Europe’s top table. Especially with the recent format change, which means more matches in the league phase, often against higher-quality opposition. United have had enough spankings off teams in the Premier League already. Enduring a similar experience in the Champions League wouldn’t be good for morale or Amorim’s reputation in the dressing room.
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There’s an argument to be made that, as well as United’s PSR concerns, the finances on offer in the Champions League will help them attract better-quality players. But the Old Trafford outfit have spent big on ‘the next big thing’ in the past and it’s rarely worked out well. In fact, oftentimes it’s just made things worse.
One of Amorim’s strongest qualities, as displayed during his spell with Sporting, is coaching a good player into a great one. And if Amorim is to be a success at United, perhaps missing out on Europa League glory could prove more beneficial than winning the tournament altogether.