The Japan Times - Europa League win can change dire Man United season: Amorim

The Red Devils face Real Sociedad on Thursday in a last 16 clash at the Reale Arena, looking for respite from their poor domestic form.

Winning the Europa League would earn them a Champions League qualification spot for next season, which is virtually impossible for them to attain in the Premier League, where they sit 14th.

"I think it's not a crucial thing for the future of the club... (but it would be) a massive difference in our season, especially because we are out of the (other) cups and in a bad position in the league," Amorim told reporters.

"If we win the Europa League that could change a lot of things in the way (people) see the coach," he joked.

Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford in November after Erik ten Hag was sacked, believes top quality players will still be interested in joining United even if they failed to secure European football next season.

"Man United can (aim for) all the best players in the future even without Champions League in the future," said Amorim.

"We have to change a lot of things and we'll try to do that.

"There are more important things than winning cups in this moment, that is my view, but I understand that winning the Europa League can change everything for next season."

Amorim said Sunday after Fulham knocked his team out of the FA Cup that United's long-term goal should be winning the Premier League title.

"We have to think of the club as a project not just solve things in this moment," continued the Portuguese coach.

"(We can't think) if we win the Europa League we'll be in amazing position in the next year... I'm trying to show the big picture to our supporters."

The coach said his misfiring forwards had been unlucky in recent games, with Rasmus Hojlund not scoring in his last 18 games and Joshua Zirkzee with just one strike in his last 16.

"There are things that are hard to explain," said Amorim.

"Before the last match we had some games without opportunities, creating chances, that is impossible for them to score, it's a team thing.

"But I felt in the last games... we had opportunities to score and we didn't score, sometimes really, that's it."

- 'Big favourites' -

United will be without Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte for the first leg clash in San Sebastian after they suffered knocks during Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Fulham.

Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are among various other unavailable players amid the club's injury crisis, along with teenage striker Chido Obi, who is not registered to play in Europe.

Meanwhile Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said he was not sure if midfielder Martin Zubimendi would be fit to face United after he was taken off during the 4-0 league defeat by Barcelona on Sunday.

Alguacil considers the Red Devils as the "big favourite" to win the Europa League.

"I don't agree with those who say they are coming here in a bad moment, they have less wins in the league than they deserve for how they've played, they have a great squad and some top players," Alguacil told a news conference.

Man United won the Europa League in 2017 and have three Champions League wins in their history, while Real Sociedad have never reached a European final.

T.Maeda--JT