Manchester United are only planning a “low key celebration” if they win next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
United have had a tough Premier League season, finishing no higher than 13th, which ties their worst record since being relegated from the top tier 51 years ago. They might even end up 17th, just above the relegation zone.
The Europa League has been a bright spot for them. United have managed to stay unbeaten, being the only team not to lose during the league phase. Ruben Amorim’s team has shown remarkable form, a stark contrast to their lackluster domestic displays and outcomes.
Following a defeat to West Ham United on Sunday, which marked their first home league loss to this team since a non-crucial match in May 2007, captain Bruno Fernandes urged his teammates not to dismiss the importance of their remaining league matches.
But, what’s at stake for United in the Europa League final is huge. Not only would it be a third major trophy in as many seasons, the kind of record most clubs could only dream of – even with all the turbulence of managerial comings and goings and increasingly poor Premier League output – but it would deliver Champions League qualification next season as a reward.
Beyond just the prestige, the riches that come with the Champions League are crucial for the club’s finances, compared to the alternative of being without revenue from any European football instead.
The Times notes that Tottenham, who have not won a major trophy in 17 years, are planning an open-top bus tour to parade the cup in front of fans starved of success, if they win.
As it stands, United will not do the same. The club has not flaunted the various trophies won since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, saving bus parades for Premier League titles. The last such trophy celebration put on for fans to see remains their last league triumph 12 years ago.
Instead, the report adds that celebration will likely take the shape of a private party and barbecue for players, team staff and their families at the club’s training ground instead.
Although Spurs hope to put on a victory parade in the days between the Europa League final and the last Premier League game of the season, timing, rather than the likelihood that it wouldn’t be well received by fans, is given as a main reason United aren’t planning their own.
With the players not returning from Bilbao until Thursday and Aston Villa visiting Old Trafford on the Sunday, a bus parade would have to be shoehorned into Friday or Saturday. Immediately after the domestic season ends, United are heading to the east Asia for post-season friendlies in Malaysia and Hong Kong, after which most of the squad will be reporting for international duty.
United’s much-talked about cost-cutting has already had an impact on the Europa League final. Staff who would ordinarily receive a complimentary ticket and travel, will not get those perks and instead are being provided a cheaper Manchester-based watch party instead.
The club has insisted it is to maximise the number of tickets available for fans instead, but general staff have continued to be hit with morale-sapping concessions.
In addition to 450 jobs being axed, including many long-serving and loyal employees, the staff canteen at Old Trafford has been rolled back and budgets across the board have been slashed. Legendary former player Eric Cantona has openly criticised the Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led regime for destroying the soul of what many viewed as a ‘family’ club with often callous measures.
