The Sun: Wilcox told MU players that the goal this season is UCL qualification

  /  nebronhames

MANCHESTER UNITED stars have been told qualifying for the Champions League is the target for the season. 

The club’s director of football Jason Wilcox addressed the players following Ruben Amorim’s sacking on Monday and told them that the season had been “disappointing” so far. 

But he tried to rally the troops by encouraging them that a Champions League spot was within their grasp if they could focus for the rest of the season. 

United are joint sixth on 32 points, with fifth likely to grab a spot in Europe’s premier competition. . 

A source said: “Wilcox has spoken with the players in the wake of Amorim’s departure.

“He’s explained that the season has had some disappointments so far, but urged the players to come together and try and sustain some good form in the second half of the season. 

“Qualifying for the Champions League is the target and it’s attainable. That was the message.” 

The first-team squad believe they can find success in the wake of Amorim’s departure, which they believed was on the cards ever since United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on December 15. 

A source said: “Amorim seemed to be affected by that result and the atmosphere changed on the training ground.

“He had a different outlook which some of the players noticed. It felt like the beginning of the end.” 

Meanwhile one player looking for assurances from United is midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who was sidelined for most of the season by Amorim. 

The source said: “Kobbie was frustrated under Amorim because he felt like he broke into the first team and gained a lot of success playing one way.

“Then suddenly Amorim started telling him he needed to play in a completely different way, which wasn’t to his strengths.”

Mainoo was keen to leave United on loan but now wants talks to discuss his long-term future. 

He currently earns around £25,000-a-week but new contract negotiations stalled at an early stage and the club and the player remain at odds. 

The source said: “Amorim leaving definitely increases the chances of Kobbie staying at United. But it’s not a given.

“He wants assurances from officials about how they see him fitting into the squad and the first team.”

SunSport also recently revealed Man Utd stars fear Bruno Fernandes has had enough of the Old Trafford shambles and will move this summer.

Related: Manchester United Jason Wilcox Bruno Fernandes Mainoo
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