Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes that returning to the Champions League is better than winning his first trophy when he won his Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final than winning his first trophy.

The victory in Bilbao on May 21 will hand over the lifeline to one of the struggling British giants by pushing them directly to the lucrative league stage of the Champions League next season.

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Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are just outside the Premier League relegation zone, and the losers will completely miss European games next season.

It is estimated that returning to the European Elite Championship is worth at least £70 million ($93 million) and will allow Amorim to have more resources to rebuild his team.

"For me, the Champions League is more important," Amorim said in a press conference on Wednesday.

“For everything, prepare for next season.

“We should be in the Champions League. Europa League is not enough, you have to feel here.

“The best way to help us reach the top in a few years is the Champions League. It’s not a champion, a trophy.

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“The most important thing is how this title helps us recover faster.”

The dramatic run of the final gave Amorim a huge start to his time at Old Trafford.

He has won only six of his 25 Premier League games since the November fee.

The Portuguese coach is sometimes cruel in evaluating his team, including marking them as the worst in club history.

However, he refused to quit if United worsened a painful season in Spain's defeat.

Amorim added: "I can't see the results of the team, especially in the Premier League, see nothing and take responsibility."

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“It’s just that I have a clear understanding of what to do. I understand the team’s problems, so I’m far from quitting.

"I mean we need to perform. We need to execute in the future or they will change us."

Amorim confirmed he will fund the travel for his family of the staff behind the scenes.

United stands out in the year since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in the club, including 250 redundancy, with up to 200 stocks available in the next year.

Amorim said negative emotions played a role in Manchester United’s struggle this season, but the Europa League has provided opportunities for much-needed improvement.

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“This season has been very tough for everyone. The results and the changes in the staff. You can feel that in our club.

"We have had a lot of bad results in the Premier League, so the current environment is tough. But I promise that when we prepare for the game in the Europa League, the environment is a little different and you will be excited."

KCA/BSP