DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

Trophy Ruben's sole aim

- by SIMON MULLOCK

RUBEN AMORIM is prepared to accept the humiliation of suffering Man United's worst finish to a league season for 50 years in a bid to fast-track his Old Trafford rebuild.

Amorim has been told the war chest being prepared for a raft of summer arrivals could be boosted by £50million if he guides United to a Europa League triumph that will bring automatic qualification to next season's Champions League.

And the Portuguese coach will swallow the bitter disappointment of seeing them end the campaign towards the bottom of the Premier League table to safeguard key men from injury and fatigue.

United took a huge step towards the May 21 final by producing their best performance of the season to win 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.

If they can keep the Spaniards at bay at Old Trafford this Thursday, Amorim's men will have a shot at rescuing the season in spectacular fashion - and that will prompt him to wrap his main players in cotton wool.