Ruben Amorim puts Man Utd on red alert as club risk repeating Erik ten Hag disaster
Ruben Amorim has sent Man Utd a clear message, with the club at risk of repeating their nightmare under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United have put all their eggs in the Europa League basket, as proven by Ruben Amorim's eight changes in Sunday's Premier League defeat at Brentford. However, the Red Devils boss has worryingly admitted that his current squad isn't ready to be competitive domestically if they are also in European competition.
United confirmed a bottom-half finish by going down 4-3 at the Gtech Community Stadium, at one point trailing 4-1 despite taking the lead. Amorim's side are rotting in 15th with three games remaining, having lost 16 times throughout a miserable Premier League campaign. But the Europa League final is calling after a shock 3-0 victory against Athletic Club in the first leg of their semi-final.
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United's triumph in Bilbao has sparked preparations for a return to the Basque Country on May 21, where Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt will await.
Victory in the Europa League final wouldn't only incredibly secure a third major trophy in three years, but it would also book the Old Trafford giants' place in next season's Champions League.
Amorim has continued the honest streak he has upheld since arriving in November, though, by claiming his current squad isn't built for Europe's premier competition.
United's decision to write off the Premier League to focus on their European exploits this term says that much.
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"We are not ready to play in the Premier League, be competitive, and be in the Champions League," Amorim told Sky Sports after Sunday's defeat at Brentford.
"We know that, but we need to win, and we need to fight to win this competition [Europa League], to give something to our fans, and to go to the Champions League.
"Then we will have time to prepare the team to cope with those two competitions. So, it is a dilemma, but we want to win, of course."
Amorim's comments strongly imply that he would expect strong financial backing to reshape his ranks if he guides United into the Champions League.
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The club can't afford to repeat their previous Champions League campaign under Erik ten Hag, in which they won just one of their six group games.
United finished rock bottom of Group A with just four points in 2023/24 - behind Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray - after squandering leads in three of their matches.
Champions League football would boost Amorim's budget and help the Portuguese coach fast-track his mammoth rebuild in the summer.
But a season without a European adventure would prove more beneficial than another nightmare campaign. Europa League glory should spark United into action in the transfer market.
