Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has challenged his players to target winning the UEFA Europa League after securing qualification for the Round of 16.
Despite a difficult start to his Red Devils career, the former Sporting Lisbon coach led the former Premier league winners to qualification, defeating Romanian side FCSB 2-0 in their final group game of the campaign.
Kobie Mainoo was the star of the show, as the Englishman scored one and provided the assist for Diogo Dalot’s opener, to seal a convincing win for Ruben Amorim’s side who finished third on the 36-team standings.
“I don’t see a big difference in the way we play, but today we had more time to think and now you can see some movements, the idea is there because we have more time to play and understand the game”, Amorim said after the game.
I think we can go game by game and we can win it. Then you have the responsibility, no matter the context, you are in Manchester United so you must fight for winning trophies.
When you get to this stage of any competition, anything is possible and they can prove they can win against anybody.”
The win ensured the Red Devils avoided an extra qualification game and will now wait until the 21st of February, to determine their opponents for the Round of 16 of the competition, with the Portuguese coach poised to make a statement by winning the trophy.
“That is really important for us, to have time to train, create connection between everyone, the staff, everyone there in training, go to the pitch, know each other in the right environment,” Amorim added.
“Then we have one week to prepare a game, the beginning of the week you can work your idea and then have time to prepare the game and focus on the opponent. I can understand better my players.”
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