Cash-strapped Manchester United turn to Europa League as season’s saviour

LONDON – Manchester United’s financial crisis, which was exposed by minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe this week, has heaped more pressure on Ruben Amorim’s men to deliver Europa League glory and a return to Champions League revenue next season.

The Red Devils host Real Sociedad on March 13 with their last-16 tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw in Spain last week.

United currently languish in a lowly 14th in the English Premier League, meaning their hopes of salvaging a miserable season depend on European glory.

Ahead of announcing plans for a

new 100,000-seater stadium to replace Old Trafford

, Ratcliffe on March 11 defended the ruthless cost-cutting he has implemented throughout the club during his first year in charge.

United have not yet detailed how they plan to finance the reported £2 billion (S$3.45 billion) cost of the new stadium.

In February, the club announced that up to 200 further redundancies were anticipated after 250 jobs were cut in 2024.

Ratcliffe claimed that United would have “run out of money at Christmas if we don’t do those things” in a series of media interviews.

The English giants have cumulative losses of £410 million in the last seven years after a series of expensive mistakes in the transfer market and in managerial hires.

However, the last time they missed out on lucrative European football entirely was in 2014-15.

That fate looks almost certain this season, unless United lift the Europa League in Bilbao on May 21.

“It’s massive,” said United midfielder Christian Eriksen of the Sociedad game.

“We know there’s a lot of pressure on that game, but it also comes with being at this club. You play for trophies, so we have to play well to go through.”

For the players, their jobs are just to win on the pitch but for United as a club, they will be aiming to clinch the Europa League title to qualify for the Champions League next season.

According to Uefa, “each of the 36 clubs that qualify for the league phase can expect to receive an allocation of €18.62 million (S$27.1 million)” at the very least, not including TV revenue, so that would help their financial situation.

Liverpool, despite a Champions League last-16 exit, have reportedly earned a total of more than £80 million from the league phase alone this season, in which they won seven of eight games – with each victory being rewarded with a hefty sum as well.

While United are struggling on and off the pitch, Sociedad are also dreaming of making the short trip to Bilbao for the final to salvage a disappointing campaign.

They sit 11th in La Liga and lost the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final 1-0 at home against Real Madrid.

Tottenham Hotspur, 13th in the Premier League, also desperately need Europa League glory to save their season.

Rumours suggest manager Ange Postecoglou’s job depends on turning around a 1-0 first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in London.

The Australian has been hampered by a lengthy injury list for most of the campaign, but has few excuses with Spurs finally approaching full strength.

First-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven made their return in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, while record signing Dominic Solanke played 90 minutes for the first time in nearly two months.

“We need everyone. From the supporters, players, staff, from the club, we need everybody to turn it around,” said Spurs captain Son Heung-min.

“The games always need a mentality and the performance. Hard work always matters. We need to be focused, take it seriously, respect our opponent and do everything we can to turn it around, especially at home.”

Rangers already have one foot in the last eight after a stunning 3-1 first-leg win at Fenerbahce.

“I don’t think it’s over,” said Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho. “The only thing I tell them is, don’t celebrate too much. Because there is a second match. It’s my only advice.” AFP