Ruben Amorim believes building for the future is 'more important' to Manchester United right now than winning the Europa League.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League and have been knocked out of the FA Cup, meaning the continent's second tier competition offers their only hope of silverware - and realistically European qualification.
United's fifth round shoot-out defeat to Fulham on Sunday heightened the importance of the Europa League and the round of 16 first leg at Real Sociedad this Thursday.
'Of course we lost last week in the cup, so people are looking at this Europa League as the unique competition that we can win,' head coach Amorim told Sky Sports.
'Also, the connection with winning the Europa League with Champions League (qualification following).
'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.
'I know the responsibility that we have to fight for every trophy, but in this moment we are trying to build something that is going to last more than any trophy this season.'
Erik Ten Hag won trophies in both of his full seasons in charge, with a poor campaign ending on a high with victory over Manchester City in May's FA Cup final, following Carabao Cup glory in 2023.
United's ultimate goal is to win the Premier League by their 150th anniversary in 2028, which Amorim highlighted directly after the defeat to Fulham - and was called 'naive' by Wayne Rooney.
The Portuguese immediately hit back at that and reiterated ahead of the trip to Spain that there are grand plans at a club making difficult cost-cutting decisions, including laying off a further 200 staff.
'I understand what people are saying because if you look how our team is playing and the results, it's hard to imagine big things in this moment for our club,' United boss Amorim said.
'But in the darkest moment we have to have like a light in the path, and that is clear here.
'I'm sure...I don't know if I'm going to be here, but the way we are thinking things we are going to return and we are going to win in the future.
'But then it's the risk. We are doing a lot of things, we are not winning games, and when you don't win games sometimes you have to change people, and we know that.
'But as a club, I think we are doing a lot of things that are hard to do. A lot of people in the staff are paying that price, but we are doing the things that we should do to win in the future.'
Febbdemp
0
is this man a coach or pundit?
handkmnrt
1
totally right my coach
ArchangelRaphael
0
you know football man
Ur blessed
Jecaeknou
1
I strongly believe United should have been better with Van Niestaloy
you know football man
ArchangelRaphael
1
I strongly believe United should have been better with Van Niestaloy
Tunlmpstuy
1
Even if all the best coaches gather, united won't still go nowhere with the current team... 4get it... Amorim is right
Tunlmpstuy
0
Amorim is right here, United won't win a trophy this season with this shit team guys...... United need a proper build up to really be the United we boast of...........
snapsv
1
What does Amorim mean by building instead of winning? what's wrong with him ππ why can't he just find himself resigning that bringing in those negative beliefs in the club? under Ten hag the team struggled but not to the level of Amorim struggles but he won Carabao and FA cup. but Amorim is continuously fooling us everyday First his system failed to work but he insists
You clearly donβt understand anything lol
DenoJose
2
We need to build, those big teams up there built...stop the mentality of we want a trophy no matter what, it won't work like that. so now which coach will they bring in; pochetino built Tottenham for 3 years...those are mentality for real madrid, we are not Real Madrid that means we have to build.
DenoJose
1
Man united players. even though Pep comes, can not win a little trophy with that squad we have at the moment......you have to blame glazers who left players who were underperforming upto to now. we have players who have spent 8 years at the club doing nothing...and yet are pocketing money.....
DenoJose
0
How long has Slot taken to prove himself a good coach with the players his predecessor klopp left behind. You come in 2024/25 season to be telling us of 2028. The job is above you. We shall only avoid relegations because the teams behind us have no energy and the EPL would not wish to accept the offer that Man United of all teams be relegated in the EPL. If not, you don't have a strategy for the present and future.
stop thinking without your head, slot found better player at liverpool.....even the one he bought is not near those he found at the club....even klopp built liverpool, arteta built arsenal,...Mancini built man city....stop bluffing around talking nonsense
DenoJose
1
What does Amorim mean by building instead of winning? what's wrong with him ππ why can't he just find himself resigning that bringing in those negative beliefs in the club? under Ten hag the team struggled but not to the level of Amorim struggles but he won Carabao and FA cup. but Amorim is continuously fooling us everyday First his system failed to work but he insists
why was ten haag sacked then if he was doing good....?
Laacenuy
0
that's the statistics of failure, then what's the essence of hiring manager if you can win. this man Manchester United is like Arsenal that play for no trophy and keeps the fans heartbreaking story, that of it wasn't bcuz of Saka and Kai injury we would have won the trophy with same story every year.
MukisaGerald
0
What does Amorim mean by building instead of winning? what's wrong with him ππ why can't he just find himself resigning that bringing in those negative beliefs in the club? under Ten hag the team struggled but not to the level of Amorim struggles but he won Carabao and FA cup. but Amorim is continuously fooling us everyday First his system failed to work but he insists
lezadilny
1
How long has Slot taken to prove himself a good coach with the players his predecessor klopp left behind. You come in 2024/25 season to be telling us of 2028. The job is above you. We shall only avoid relegations because the teams behind us have no energy and the EPL would not wish to accept the offer that Man United of all teams be relegated in the EPL. If not, you don't have a strategy for the present and future.
lukikmnrsz
1
Amorim's Man Utd will lose to Sociedad and Arsenal.
pepcipuyz
0
The only good thing remaining from this coach is his speach
Wupcdelouz
0
this guy mmm you talk of the future as if he signed a5year deal ,man if you don't have tactics just say it and they pay you for what brought you to the club for coz that's what you are after money not so
Godsp683
0
His mentality and even physicality too is too weak... He is not fitting to carry United. Fucker, please do walk away from glory Trafford. Every feels down I clouding players when we meet with you
I believe u are a perfect man to coach man united, u should apply
MukisaGerald
0
No really we need to get rid of Amorim because of his negativity all the time
jhkr
0
we are now going to lose again but this coach
Hukcklmpyz
1
His mentality and even physicality too is too weak... He is not fitting to carry United. Fucker, please do walk away from glory Trafford. Every feels down I clouding players when we meet with you
wahbceils
1
wow that's great news coach it's high time they should know keep on fighting your work is absolutely fine and your men are improving little by little your formation is quite good they just have to know it cause it's simple.
Hukcklmpyz
0
Players should walk protest to such aimless and clueless manager
Hukcklmpyz
0
Coward man I hate you
Hukcklmpyz
0
Defeating before than match... Useless manager
Lovebug2
1
He is just an OWL π¦ Manchester United thought he had horns like a π but alas what a waste
Lovebug2
2
2001 excuses by Jurgen Klopp. He read the manual now he is Mr Excuse. Which future, when you don't have any present sign that you are improving. He will sign 25 new players before giving up
wimlmpru
1
if you are not in Europe, more staff will be sack.. what are you talking about?? if the staff are sack, you blame it on the players again. you need to save their jobs by winning.. not just sticking to your own formations..
NaamDevPun
0
United players all must be out n buy new players n your goalkeeper must worst he cannot fitted in your team
misklopuy
3
This guy is trying to help man u so people should stop talking bad things about him and give him a chance prove him united forever
Yusdilostu
1
This guy talks too much and he is not even a coach. In fact he is carpenter
Niucikmpru
2
Demotivated
denadintuz
1
That's means he will not win Europa Cup..and he knew he can't...
Doobilmtuy
1
amorin is the biggest mistake in manu