Ruben Amorim says “winning the Europa League can change everything” for Manchester United.
But as his struggling side travel to Real Sociedad for Thursday’s last-16 first-leg tie at the Reale Arena, he insists it is “not a crucial thing for the future of the club”.
United boss Amorim, whose side are 14th in the Premier League, said: “That is my view. I am here for three months and I think that is clear but I understand.
“It’s a massive difference in our season, especially because we are out of the cups, in the bad position in the league.
“That could change a lot of things, even the way they see the coach, so I know it is a massive pressure. But I will say it again, Manchester United can call all of the best players even without Champions League in the future.
“I think that [winning the Europa League] is not a crucial thing for the future of the club.
“We have to change a lot of things and we are trying to do that. I understand that winning the Europa League can change everything for us in the next season.”
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte will miss the match after both players were absent from training at Carrington on Wednesday morning and did not travel to Spain.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday evening, Amorim added: “They are small things, so we are being careful with them because in this moment we cannot allow us to lose more players for a long time.”
Maguire was substituted in the 90th minute when United exited the FA Cup against Fulham at the weekend while Ugarte was withdrawn with 53 minutes played. Both players sustained minor injuries.
Amorim is already without several key players for the trip to San Sebastian with Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez among those sidelined.
Striker Chido Obi, 17, has not been registered for the Europa League.
However, left-back Patrick Dorgu, who is currently serving a domestic suspension, is available, while midfielder Toby Collyer, who has missed four games with a muscle injury, has returned to training and flew with the squad to Spain.
Thursday’s match against the La Liga side kicks off at 17:45 GMT.