Manchester United's only hope of saving their miserable season is European glory.
But boss Ruben Amorim believes that building for the future is "more important" than a Europa League triumph.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League and have been knocked out of the FA Cup. It leaves their hopes of ending the season on a high note completely dependant on success in Europe's second tier competition - not to mention European qualification for next term.
Yet while supporters may well believe that the FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham has heightened the importance of Thursday's Europa League last 16 meeting with Real Sociedad, Amorim sees things differently.
"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."
It is a stark contrast to predecessor Erik ten Hag, who won trophies in both of his full seasons in charge, and ended last season's poor campaign - granted nowhere near as poor as this one - with FA Cup success against Manchester City at Wembley in May.
The new United hierarchy however are targeting a Premier League triumph in the year of their 150th Anniversary in 2028 - as Amorim highlighted after the loss to Fulham, comments which the club's all-time record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, labelled "naive".
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."