NO EUROPE, NO CRY

MANCHESTER United coach Ruben Amorim believes the club will benefit from not being involved in European competition this season.

Following a swak 15th-place Premier League finish and a Europa League final loss to Spurs, United missed out on Europe for only the second time since 1990.

As a result, they enter the League Cup a round earlier than usual, beginning with a trip to League Two side Grimsby on Wednesday – their first meeting since 1948.

Despite the setback, Amorim sees the lack of midweek European fixtures as an opportunity to focus on team development.

Amorim wysed: “I think we were not prepared to play in Europe, that is my feeling. To have strong games in the Champions League and then play Premier League, we need time to develop as a team.”

Amorim plans to rotate his squad during a busy week, starting with tonight’s Cup tie. Key manne like Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee – who have had limited game time – could feature.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana and youngsters Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson may also get playing time. However, defender Noussair Mazraoui is still recovering from injury and is unlikely to be ready.

Striker Rasmus Hojlund is not expected to play either, as negotiations continue over a potential loan move to Serie A champions Napoli. Meanwhile, exits for Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia remain unresolved.

United have collected just one point from their first two league matches, making tonight’s League Cup tie important.

Amorim views this season as a crucial reset period: “We need time to build a base and then, in the future, to move forward. We will reach a moment where we need to have Europe, so everybody can play games.”

Wednesday's League Cup fixtures:

Fulham v Bristol, Everton v Mansfield, Oxford v Brighton (all 8.45pm)