The Red Devils had a disappointing end to last season, finishing at a record-low 15th place in the Premier League and losing at the UEFA Europa Leage final to Tottenham Hotspur by 1-0, and Amorim has now insisted Manchester United are not in a position to compete both domestically and internationally this season.

He said: “We were not prepared to play in Europe and the Premier League. We need time to develop as a team.”

Following the club’s underwhelming Premier League finish last season and their defeat in the Europa League, Manchester United will miss out on European football for only the second time since English clubs rejoined UEFA competitions in 1990 following a five-year ban.

As a result, the Red Devils began their Carabao Cup run a round earlier than usual, with Wednesday’s (27.08.25) clash against League Two side Grimsby Town marking their first encounter since 1948.

Amorim said he plans continue making changes to the team, which started after Saturday’s (24.08.25) 1-1 draw with Fulham.

He said: “We have three games this week and we have quality players, so we need rotation to try to win every game.”

Amorim had taken over Manchester United after Erik ten Hag left the club in November, and struggled to implement any meaningful changes with the little time he had.

Manchester United hasn’t had the best start to the Premier League this season, losing 1-0 to Arsenal on 17 August.

Amorim continued: “It is a normal thing that happens in other clubs. I think we were not prepared to play in Europe. That is my feeling. 

“We need time to prepare for every game. The games are really competitive. We need time to build the base and then, in the future, to move forward. 

“We will reach a moment when we need to have Europe for everybody to play games.”