Manchester United -midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has admitted that winning the Europa League will not make a success, but can offer a platform for the future.
United trip to Bilbao on Thursday for the first stage of their semi-final of the Europa League against Athletic Club.
The competition remains the only chance of the club to win silverware after a gloomy competitive campaign. United takes their worst Premier League points at the end of the season and is 14th in the top flight.
If United remains in the 14th, this will be their worst TopFlight finishing position since the club was relegated in 1974. Despite the second Europa League trophy of the club that is for the taking, the disappointment of their league displays will linger.
“The Europa League is a big chance [to rescue the season] But I would not say that it would make the season a success, “Mainoo told Sky Sports.
“It will certainly give us hope to take something positive in next season. The season has not disappeared, how we would have wanted it, but we can't just be down and fall apart, because where do we end up? We have to stay together and keep a spirit because there are still big competitions to play.”
His teammate Alejandro Garnacho repeated Mainoo's thoughts and explained the opportunity to be in the Champions League a big one for the club.
“It is very important to be in the Champions League,” Garnacho told Sky Sports.
“It is a big stage for all teams and all players, but as Kobbie said, it will not be a great season if we win the Europa League, because we are bad in the competition. But it will clearly help the club, and also for us to win a trophy and be in the Champions League. We will try to do it.”
Despite an underwhelming campaign, Garnacho is still looking at large awards, with the Europa League building on success in the past.
“Last season we won the FA Cup, the season for the Carabao Cup, now we are in the semi -final of the Europa League,” said Garnacho.
“But at the end of the day the big titles are the Premier League and the Champions League, so we want to fight for this. It will take time, but we will try it as soon as possible.
“We don't care about the position we are in, we will try to win every game. Sometimes it is more difficult, but we will always believe to the game. If the game is today, then we will have to win today.”