Ruben Amorim backtracks on apparent threat to quit Man Utd as Red Devils boss insists he's committed despite 'really tough' season

The manager was hugely disappointed with his side's performance in the 2-0 defeat by West Ham on Sunday, which saw United fall to 16th in the Premier League. After the game he hinted he might have to walk away from the job if things did not improve next season, saying: "It's not the players' fault. It's my fault, I'm responsible. If we cannot change that really fast, we should give our place to different persons." But he clarified his comments when speaking ahead of next week's Europa League final against Tottenham.

Amorim said: "What I am saying is that since I arrived here, I am always talking about the standards and I cannot see the team having the results in the Premier League and not take responsibility. I am far from quitting. What I am saying is we need to perform or else they will change us. That is a normal thing."

The United boss also confirmed that he is paying for his backroom staff and their families to go to Bilbao for the Europa League final and explained that the players backed the move. He explained: "We have a lot of things, people leaving, a lot of changes in the staff, sometimes it is hard [to know] when to give, when to take, to respect the people we are taking their jobs to survive and rebuild. It is complicated for the club to start giving to other members of staff so it is a really hard position. That was explained so in that moment, my reaction was to help. It is not going to change my life. Then we talked to the players and they had the same reaction, everyone does, they want the staff and their families there in the final."

Amorim explained that accessing the Champions League via winning the Europa League was more important than lifting the trophy itself. He said: "Personally for me I think Champions League is more important for everything - to prepare the next season. We are supposed to be in the Champions League. Europa League here is not enough and you have that feeling here. The best way to help us get in the top in a few years is the Champions League - it’s not the cup. So for me the Champions League is more important."

Amorim backed his side to beat Tottenham - who are below them in the Premier League table after a horrific domestic season of their own - despite the Red Devils' worst campaign since being relegated in 1974. "In the final I think you feel a final is different. This season has been really tough on everyone, the results but also the change in the staff. You can feel it in our club. We are addressing that. We have so many bad results in the Premier League so the environment is tough but when we are preparing a game in Europa League the environment is a bit different."