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Europe Pain Is United's Gain
The Straits Times
|May 29, 2025
Manager Amorim believes absence from Champions League will benefit Red Devils
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KUALA LUMPUR - Missing out on Champions League football could be a blessing in disguise, said Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim as he attempts to rebuild the fallen English giants.
The Portuguese coach addressed the media in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, fresh from United's worst season since 1974, having finished 15th in the Premier League.
They also missed out on a Champions League lifeline - and with it a financial windfall - by losing to fellow English Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the Europa League final last week.
"I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform better, to prepare better for games, to build that core that we need for the future," said Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag midway during the season but failed to spark a turnaround.
"So I think it's a good thing for us to take advantage not to have European games," added the 40-year-old, whose phone alarm went off during the press conference ahead of the May 28 friendly against the Asean All-Stars, sparking laughter among members of the media.
This story is from the May 29, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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