Amorim sees silver lining in miserable season
Ruben Amorim believes missing out on Champions League football "could be an advantage" for Manchester United next season.
The Red Devils will be without continental football at Old Trafford for the first time in 11 years - and only the second time during the Premier League era.
United finished 15th in the Premier League – its lowest-ever finish in the division – while missing out on last-gasp Champions League qualification after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in last week's Europa League final.
Yet, Amorim can see the benefits of being without the distraction of European football going into his first full season in charge.
"I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage, to perform well, to perform better, to prepare better [for] the games," he said at the club's post-season tour launch in Malaysia.
"To build that core that we need for the future, so I think it's a good thing for us to take advantage of not having European games."
It is expected to be another busy close season filled with transfer activity at Old Trafford.
Captain Bruno Fernandes cast doubt over his future after that defeat by Spurs, but Amorim reiterated his support for his compatriot.
"We had some difficult moments [this season]," the United manager said. "In [those] difficult moments, you can see that Bruno is the guy that takes that responsibility.
"It should be, because he's the captain, he has that experience, so he's really important for us and really important for what we want to build with this team."
