United were 'not prepared to play in Europe and the Premier League'

RUBEN Amorim has claimed United were 'not prepared' to play in the Europa League last season.

- By SAMUEL LUCKHURST

United reached the final of the competition and were the only unbeaten team across the three Uefa tournaments until their limp defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the final.

As the Reds progressed in Europe, their domestic form worsened and they won just seven of their 27 Premier League matches after Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag as manager in November. United eventually finished 15th, their worst topflight finish since they were relegated in 1974.

The club only qualified for the Europa League through winning the 2024 FA Cup final against City, having ended the league campaign in eighth, their lowest league finish since 1990.

United aborted plans to sack Ten Hag in the summer following the cup triumph and invested more than £200m on five new signings only to dismiss the Dutchman nine league games into last season.