At a press conference before the friendly match between Manchester United and the Southeast Asian stars (ASEAN All-Stars), Man United coach Ruben Amorim affirmed that this is not a simple show tour, but a serious start to the new season of the "Red Devils".
"We didn't come here just to play a friendly match. I will not talk about long-term goals at this time, it is important to focus on one step at a time. The immediate goal is to win the first match, then decide to continue," said coach Amorim.
Although he did not win a ticket to the UEFA Champions League, Amorim believes this could become an advantage if the team knows how to make the right use.
According to him, Man United will have the conditions to focus on improving squad depth, reducing playing pressure and taking time to build a more solid foundation for the future.
He said that the club's leadership team has prepared 3 personnel options, one if participating in the European Cup, and one if not, in which the big priority is to develop internal resources, especially from the academy.
"I believe in young players, but development needs to go on the right track. Man United is a big club, sometimes we push young players up too early, especially in the era of social networks. That will unintentionally put unnecessary pressure and could hinder their progress," Amorim said.
In this tour list, in addition to the core force, Man United brought many young players. Coach Amorim said this is an opportunity for them to experience the top environment and understand the meaning of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
He especially mentioned Ayden Heaven as a typical example of seizing opportunities and expressing self-worth.
Although it was just a post-season friendly, Amorim stressed that Man United always played with great responsibility.
"Every match we play has millions of followers. That makes us have to show absolute respect, play with dedication no matter the match," he said.
Unable to hide his emotions at witnessing the enthusiasm of fans in Southeast Asia, the 39-year-old coach sent his sincere gratitude: "It's great to see your love for Man United, even in difficult seasons.
This connection is what makes Man United one of the greatest clubs in the world. It is an honor to be here."
The match between Man United and ASEAN All Stars takes place on May 28. After this match, Man United will travel to Hong Kong (China) to play the next friendly match on May 30.
