Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes the club will benefit from not playing in European competition this season.
United finished 15th in the Premier League last season and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, meaning they missed out on Europe for only the second time since English clubs returned to UEFA competitions in 1990.
“We were not prepared to play in Europe and the Premier League,” Amorim said. “We need time to develop as a team.”
As a result of missing out on Europe, United will begin their Carabao Cup campaign a round earlier than usual, facing League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs since 1948.
United’s last appearance in the second round of the competition came in 2014, when they suffered a 4-0 defeat to MK Dons.
Amorim confirmed he will rotate his squad for the Grimsby match. “We have three games this week and we have quality players, so we need rotation to try to win every game,” he said.
Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee are among the senior players expected to feature after limited involvement so far this season.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is also likely to be included, along with youngsters Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson.
Defender Noussair Mazraoui is close to returning from injury but is unlikely to play. “He is near,” Amorim said. “We are just finishing some drills with him to be sure he is not going to have another problem.”
Striker Rasmus Hojlund is not expected to play as talks continue over a loan move to Serie A champions Napoli. Meanwhile, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia remain on the club’s transfer list.
United have taken one point from their opening two Premier League matches after a loss to Arsenal and a draw with Fulham. Amorim has stressed the importance of the Carabao Cup, noting that victory in the competition secures qualification for Europe.
“We need time to build a base and then, in the future, to move forward,” Amorim said. “We will reach a moment where we need to have Europe so everybody can play games.”
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