Rúben Amorim has explained why he thinks a lack of Champions League football could be an advantage for Manchester United this summer and next season.
Manchester United are set to play the first of two post-season fixtures as they play ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia on Wednesday afternoon, with the fixture kicking off at 13:45 BST in Kulla Lumpur.
Rúben Amorim’s men are embarking on a mini post-season tour of Southeast Asia, playing Hong Kong in Hong Kong two days after this tie before the players jet off on their respective holidays.
After finishing the Premier League season 15th in the table and losing out on the Europa League final, and therefore Champions League qualification, to Tottenham Hotspur, the club will not play any sort of European football next season.
However, with the post-season tour set to earn United over £8 million and the transfer window set to commence with the club signing Matheus Cunha this week, many hope next season will bring a brighter future.
No European football can be an advantage, says Amorim
With no European football next campaign, this reduces the maximum number of fixtures United could play from 68 to 51, with most fixtures in the first half of the campaign set to be played just once a week.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the ASEAN All-Stars tie, Amorim explained two reasons why he sees no European football next season as an advantage he will look to use next season by improving the side’s core and their performances each week.
“It could be an advantage to perform better and build the core for the future,” Amorim started. “It is something to take advantage of.”
Continuing with reference to the transfer plan without Champions League football, Amorim said: “We always prepare two plans, one with Champions League, one without Champions League.
“Without Champions League, we don’t need a big squad, we can control the squad in a better way, then we have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course. But our big plan is to improve the team that we have, is to improve our academy, that is the future, is not going to change so much because we have the FFP rules, we are not allowed to do much this summer. It’s important to stick together.
“We are going to struggle; it is not going to be everything right away, but I see the team improving, and that is the most important thing.”
Needing a smaller squad puts less pressure on the summer window
When assessing where the club needs to improve this summer, it is evident that aside from needing five or six new starting XI additions, the biggest issue the side struggles with is a lack of quality depth when competing across four competitions.
However, with United set to play in just three competitions next season, the need for extensive quality depth reduces.
Amorim will want to stay consistent with his starting team across the Premier League, likely only needing to draw on 15 or 16 players for the bulk of the competition, which leaves the chance to sell many of the first-team to raise money without having to buy as many replacements.
With several Academy players coming through the ranks, such as Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Tyler Fredricsion, Amorim also has a chance to fill the extra places in his squad with Academy talent, further reducing the need to spend money on squad-depth players.
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