Ruben Amorim admits his job will be easier if Man Utd DON’T beat Tottenham in the Europa League final
RUBEN AMORIM has bizarrely declared that his job would be easier if Manchester United LOST the Europa League final against Tottenham.
The Red Devils have endured their worst-ever Premier League season and face not even making 40 points in the league if they lose to Chelsea and Aston Villa in their final two games.
Despite their horrific league form, they have put together an unbeaten campaign in the Europa League to take them to the final against Spurs in Bilbao on May 21.
Winning the tournament would see Man Utd qualify for next season’s Champions League and bag at least an additional £80million in prize money.
However, Amorim believes his job would be made easier if the club were to LOSE the final because it would afford him more time to train the woefully underperforming squad.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss explained: “That is my feeling. We need more time with the team.
“We need to arrange a lot of things in Carrington that we need more time to do so we’re not thinking game by game by game.
“Then we have the squad. We proved this year that we need to be a better squad if we want to win European games and then be really competitive in the Premier League. That is going to be tough.
“It is going to be really bad [if United don’t win the final]. I don’t want to use that as an excuse.
“It is going to be really tough and the patience of the fans and you guys [the media] next year if we don’t win it is going to be on the limit.
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“We would have to be perfect to continue with everything. I know that. So it’s not going to be better in that way.”
After suffering a 17th league defeat of the season to West Ham last week, Amorim suggested he would QUIT the club if results did not improve.
However, he clarified those comments by saying: “What I am saying is that since I arrived here I am always talking about the standards and I cannot see the team having these results, especially in the Premier League, and not say anything and not take the responsibility.
“It’s just that. I have a clear idea what to do. I understand the problems of the team. I am far from quitting.
“What I am saying is we need to perform and this season and in the future we need to perform or else they will change us.
“That is a normal thing. That was my feeling [after West Ham] and is still my feeling today.”
Cost-cutting measures implemented since the arrival of minority owner’s Ineos last year have led to 450 staff being made redundant by the club.
Those cuts have also seen staff perks cut, including tickets to the Europa League final.
However, Amorim has personally offered to pay for 30 tickets so his staff can take their families to the showpiece final.
Man Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash