SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain: Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim said Wednesday winning the Europa League could make a “massive difference” to his team’s disappointing season, but was not vital in the big picture of the club’s future.
The Red Devils face Real Sociedad on Thursday in a last 16 clash at the Reale Arena, looking for respite from their poor domestic form.
Winning the Europa League would earn them a Champions League qualification spot for next season, which is virtually impossible for them to attain in the Premier League, where they sit 14th.
“I think it’s not a crucial thing for the future of the club... (but it would be) a massive difference in our season, especially because we are out of the (other) cups and in a bad position in the league,” Amorim told reporters.
“If we win the Europa League that could change a lot of things in the way (people) see the coach,” he joked.
Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford in November after Erik ten Hag was sacked, believes top quality players will still be interested in joining United even if they failed to secure European football next season.
“Man United can (aim for) all the best players in the future even without Champions League in the future,” said Amorim.
“We have to change a lot of things and we’ll try to do that.
“There are more important things than winning cups in this moment, that is my view, but I understand that winning the Europa League can change everything for next season.”
Amorim said Sunday after Fulham knocked his team out of the FA Cup that United’s long-term goal should be winning the Premier League title.
“We have to think of the club as a project not just solve things in this moment,” continued the Portuguese coach.
“(We can’t think) if we win the Europa League we’ll be in amazing position in the next year... I’m trying to show the big picture to our supporters.”
The coach said his misfiring forward had been unlucky in recent games, with Rasmus Hojlund not scoring in his last 18 games and Joshua Zirkzee with just one strike in his last 16.
“There are things that are hard to explain,” said Amorim.
“Before the last match we had some games without opportunities, creating chances, that is impossible for them to score, it’s a team thing.
“But I felt in the last games... we had opportunities to score and we didn’t score, sometimes really, that’s it.”
United will be without Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte for the first leg clash in San Sebastian after they suffered knocks during Sunday’s FA Cup defeat by Fulham.
Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are among various other unavailable players amid the club’s injury crisis, along with teenage striker Chido Obi, who is not registered to play in Europe.
Meanwhile Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said he was not sure if midfielder Martin Zubimendi would be fit to face United after he was taken off during the 4-0 league defeat by Barcelona on Sunday.
Alguacil considers the Red Devils as the “big favorite” to win the Europa League.
“I don’t agree with those who say they are coming here in a bad moment, they have less wins in the league than they deserve for how they’ve played, they have a great squad and some top players,” Alguacil told a news conference.
Man United won the Europa League in 2017 and have three Champions League wins in their history, while Real Sociedad have never reached a European final.
Europa League win can change dire Man United season: Amorim
https://arab.news/2mb57
Europa League win can change dire Man United season: Amorim
- “I think it’s not a crucial thing for the future of the club... (but it would be) a massive difference in our season,” Amorim told reporters
- “If we win the Europa League that could change a lot of things in the way (people) see the coach”
San Antonio Spurs extend domination of NBA-best Thunder
- After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs
- Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96
- At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124
NEW YORK: Reigning champion Oklahoma City have the NBA’s best record, but they cannot beat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench Thursday to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points while Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and guard Stephon Castle added 19 points for the Spurs, who stretched their win streak to eight games.
“My first Christmas game,” Fox said. “It feels great getting another victory.”
After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs.
“When you play a team of this caliber, the details are much more magnified,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We did a phenomenal job as the game progressed adhering to those nuances.”
Wembanyama wouldn’t call it a statement win for the season but he says the Spurs have learned from beating the Thunder.
“I’m not really sure it’s smart to think so far into the future,” said Wembanyama.
“This is like a playoff series. We played them three times in 10 days so we learned a lot on the technical side.”
Oklahoma City lost for the first time in 15 home games this season despite 22 points by reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder sank their first seven shots to take an 18-12 lead but the Spurs closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run for a 41-36 edge and never looked back.
“The guys were working their butts off,” Johnson said.
The Spurs improved to 23-7, second in the Western Conference behind the Thunder at 26-5.
Fox made 12-of-19 shots from the floor, 3-of-4 from three-point range.
“He was carrying us a little bit,” Wembanyama said. “He’s a guy who can make things happen.”
The Spurs have not reached the playoffs since 2019 and have not won a playoff series since 2017.
In other games, Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96.
Kevin Durant added 25 points and Alperen Sengun had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Houston.
“We wanted to come out here and play with a sense of urgency for 48 minutes,” Durant said. “The basketball world is watching you tonight.”
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points while four-time NBA MVP LeBron James added 18 points.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, played in his 20th NBA Christmas contest, his holiday record falling to 11-9.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had 12 points in 15 minutes before leaving with left calf soreness.
Knicks outlast Cavs
At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 34 points, grabbed a 103-86 lead with 10:25 remaining but New York closed on a 40-21 run to seize the victory.
Benson, who hit 6-of-12 from three-point range, lifted the Knicks ahead for good at 121-119 on a three-pointer with 65 seconds remaining.
It was Benson’s 90th 30-point game as a Knick, a total eclipsed only by Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony.
Jordan Clarkson added 25 points off the New York bench.
At San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 23 points despite shooting 6-of-18 overall and 2-of-10 from three-point range to lead Golden State over Dallas 126-116.
“Didn’t shoot it well but we got a great win,” Curry said. “Just focused on the details of what this team can do to win.”
Seven Warriors scored in double figures with Jimmy Butler contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Mavericks’ 19-year-old forward Cooper Flagg, the second-youngest NBA Christmas starter after 18-year-old James in 2003, scored a game-high 27 points.
Dallas star Anthony Davis exited after playing only 11 minutes with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Dallas guard Klay Thompson scored seven points in a return to the Bay Area, where he helped Golden State capture four NBA titles.
