Ruben Amorim: Winning the Europa League is not important

Ruben Amorim has risked the wrath of Manchester United supporters by claiming that it is not important for the club to win the Europa League this season.

Man Utd take on Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 in Spain on Thursday.

The competition represents the last chance for Man Utd to win any silverware this season.

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United are 14th in the Premier League, while they were eliminated long ago from the League Cup.

This Sunday, United were also knocked out of the FA Cup in the fifth round by Fulham on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford after 120 minutes.

But, incredibly, despite the Europa League not only being the last chance of silverware but a route back into Europe and the Champions League next season, Amorim seemimgly doesn’t value its importance.

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What did Amorim say?

“People are looking at the Europa League as the unique competition that we can win, also the connection with qualifying for the UCL,” Amorim said in his pre-match press conference.

“But to tell you the truth, I think we have bigger things to think about.

“I know it’s strange to say that, but it’s something that we are trying to build here, that is going to be more important than winning a cup in this moment.”

Amorim’s words are unlikely to go down well with United supporters, who have been majorly disappointed by the Portuguese since he arrived at the club.

The 40-year-old replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November but the results on the pitch have been disastrous.

Amorim has a far worse record than then much-maligned Ten Hag and is closer to the relegation zone than the top of the table.

The ex-Sporting Lisbon manager reportedly risks the sack if he doesn’t improve results and performances in the coming weeks.