Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is trying to explore benefits from the club’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in his bid to rebuild the team.
The Red Devils endured their worst-ever season in the Premier League with a 15th place finish in the Portuguese manager’s first season at Old Trafford.
Manchester United missed out on Champions League football after losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final last week.
Amorim believes it can serve a blessing in disguise for the team ahead of a major overhaul in the summer.
He said: “I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform better, to prepare better for games, to build that core that we need for the future.
“So I think it’s a good thing for us to take advantage not to have European games.”
Amorim is preparing the team for a friendly against a Southeast Asian XI in Malaysia on Wednesday.
The Portuguese manager said the team must begin preparations for next season early.
He said: “The target for now is to win the first game. We have a lot to do during this summer. We have to prepare the team.
“When you are in Manchester United, people are going to expect us to be at the top. But we have to understand the context.
“I don’t want the team to think about a big target, just a small target by winning the first game and then to the second game.
Amorim also hinted that the game is an opportunity for the fringe members of the team to impress.
