It says everything about the current state of Manchester United that the storyline around their undefeated Europa League campaign is not about finals, trophies and glory, but more the estimated £100m+ cost of not winning the competition.
United travel to Bilbao on Thursday for their semi-final first leg. On the line is the prospect of only their second season without any European football in 35 years.
Because of their league form - United currently sit 14th and will record their lowest ever Premier League points tally - winning the Europa League is their only route back into Europe.
Supporters - and players - have got used to a lack of Champions League football in recent times, and 2025-26 could be their sixth campaign from the past 13 without a place in Europe's top club competition.
United's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently put an estimated price on Champions League qualification of between £80-£100m, while he said Europa League qualification was worth £40m.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport: "A good season in the Champions League can be worth far in excess of £100m. By the time you combine gate receipts, sponsor bonuses and the prize money available, the numbers involved are eye-watering."
BBC Sport breaks down what a Champions League-shaped hole in United's finances would look like.
What is the cost if Man Utd miss out on Champions League qualification? - BBC Sport
Shalom
Of course what we have now is the prospect of a guaranteed six English teams in the Champions League next year.
Oh, and one more Premier League managerial sacking.
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So, the mighty Manchester United demolish Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on their own patch in the semi finals of the UEFA Cup - where they had been unbeaten at home for 10 games - and the ABUs of TD cannot even bring themselves to utter a single congratulatory comment.
Has Hal really got under your skin that much? Or was it Fergie? Or Cantona? Or Ronaldo? Or Fernandes?
Anyway, it's not over yet.
Plenty of teams have come back from 3 down at HT.
And I'd take a 1 goal loss on Thursday now even if it meant being beaten in Europe for THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.
We know it won't be straightforward cos it's United.
And United is drama, excitement and unparalleled highs and lows (as well as trophies).
Which is why we are the greatest club in the world.
Isn't it, ladies?
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Ruh Roh he's talking to himself again.
Brentford vs Manchester United live team news as Chido Obi makes full debut, Fernandes on bench - Manchester Evening News
XI | Bayindir, Fredricson, Shaw, De Ligt, Amass, Dorgu, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho, Obi, Mount.
Subs | Heaton, Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro, Casemiro, Eriksen, Amad, Fernandes, Hojlund
Arsenal's academy star gets to fulfll his dream of starting for the mighty Manchester United.
All eyes on Thursday for the only unbeaten team in Europe.
Nice goal by Luke Shaw.
Breaking up is never easy.
Chido Obi Martin confirms Man United transfer from Arsenal - ESPN
Especially when they are the best player since the last one we took off you.
This photo will never stop being ouch, h, will it?
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Last edited by hallelujah; Today at 03:54 AM.
All me mates are booking for the final.
We're not there yet.
And it's over 500 Euros from here.
I'm going away with my wonderful, ever-suffering wife a month later and that's where the money needs to go.
No, hal. no. Thursday was your United drug.
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Amo will be given the summer, which he will spend buying players to fit his shitbox rigid failure of a system. Then when he gets sacked at the tail end of next season, the next guy is stuck with players bought to fit a system that can't be played in the premier League.
They better get used to 15th.![]()
Quite possible.
I was going with they'll keep him until they're knocked out of Europe and the FA Cup, their PL position could of course be so bad that he gets the heave-ho before they even begin.
Then in comes the next lad with recently purchased players bought to fit a system that no PL manager in their right mind would use. Will there be like a 33 yr old Czech league manager on a win streak of 5 with FC Ptsyzch Lybzh or some shiz interested.![]()
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