Ruben Amorim's secret Monaco trip for Man Utd showdown talks after Europa League loss

Ruben Amorim was summoned to Monaco for crunch talks in the wake of in the final. season ended in disaster, with Spurs’ 1-0 win in Bilbao denying them a place in the and making a crucial summer of recruitment more difficult.

After a dreadful domestic campaign, which saw them finish 15th following on the final day, United were counting on the Europa League to offer solace. But Brennan Johnson’s scrappy goal was hugely damaging for the club’s shaky finances and , who will now have a task convincing new recruits to join in the .

United reacted by making it clear they , who have now jetted off to Malaysia for the first of . But that wasn’t the first flight for Amorim, who travelled to Monaco on Friday to attend a high-profile meeting with the club’s owners and executives.

The meeting takes place every month in INEOS’ spiritual home, but doesn’t normally involve the manager, reports. Amorim left having received backing from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the other club bigwigs, but he is under increasing pressure to deliver following a miserable start which has seen him win just 16 of his 42 games in charge.

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defeat, but before he flew to Monaco, Amorim offered to walk away without compensation. “I have nothing to show to the fans, so at this moment it's a little bit of faith,” said Amorim.

“So let’s see. I'm always open. If the board and the fans feel I'm not the right guy, I will go the next day, without any conversation about compensation. But I will not quit. I'm still really confident in my job and, as you can see, I will not change anything in the way I do things. I am always really honest.”

He sounded a different note on the Old Trafford pitch, when addressing supporters following the Villa win. “First of all, I want to apologise,” he said. “It was really disappointing with the team. Secondly, I want to say thank you.

HAVE YOUR SAY! How long will Ruben Amorim last as Manchester United manager? .

"We are very grateful for your support during the season. I know it was really hard to support us in many games. But now we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past. Because this season is in the past, it's over.

"We fight each other or we stick together and move forward. Six months ago, in my first three games in charge, with two victories and one draw, I said to you a storm is coming. Today, after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming.”

United are planning to be busy in the summer transfer window, with from the first of what the club hopes will be many signings. The club are also in the running to sign Ipswich striker Liam Delap, but Amorim knows he only has around £100m to play with and that sales are therefore key.

, Antony and Jadon Sancho are the top priorities when it comes to exits, while Alejandro Garnacho has been told he is not part of Amorim’s plans. , while there is also in captain .

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