With Manchester United languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, their hopes of securing a Champions League spot next season are quickly slipping away.
Currently 12 points behind the top four, the Red Devils face a difficult challenge to turn around their domestic form. As the team struggles in the league, manager Ruben Amorim may have to take a page out of José Mourinho’s playbook and prioritize the Europa League, just as Mourinho did in the 2016-17 season to secure a Champions League spot.
Back in 2017, Mourinho’s decision to focus on the Europa League, rather than the Premier League, ultimately paid off. With United failing to finish in the top four, Mourinho steered his team towards winning the Europa League, clinching a spot in the following season’s Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Ajax in the final. This strategic move was crucial for United, and Amorim, whose team is struggling in the league this season, may find himself making a similar call to salvage his first season in charge.
Amorim’s squad is in a precarious position in the Premier League, with just 15 games left to turn around a disappointing campaign. The team has suffered 10 losses in 23 games, scoring only 28 goals and conceding 32. With a 12-point gap to the top four, qualifying for the Champions League through the league appears unlikely. However, their unbeaten run in the Europa League gives them a lifeline, as it presents their best chance of European football next season.
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Currently in fourth place in the Europa League group stage, United is just one match away from securing a top-eight finish that would grant them an automatic place in the knockout stages. Their next game is against FCSB in Bucharest, where a draw would be enough for Amorim’s side to advance. After a rocky start under former manager Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in October, United has won all four of their group matches under Amorim, breathing new life into their European ambitions.
Given the relatively weaker competition in this season’s Europa League, Amorim has a solid opportunity to guide United to a successful campaign. With no teams dropping from the Champions League into the Europa League this season, the path to lifting the trophy is more manageable than in years past. Winning the Europa League would not only secure a Champions League spot but also serve as a significant achievement in Amorim’s first season, especially considering the financial constraints and the need for United to compete at the highest level in Europe.
Financially, the stakes are high for United. The club is under pressure to maintain its profitability and sustainability, with cost-cutting measures already in place, including job losses and rising ticket prices. Amorim’s task is clear: secure European football for next season, whether through the Europa League or the FA Cup. With the Europa League shaping up as the most realistic avenue for silverware, Amorim faces a critical decision on how to best approach the remainder of the season, with the possibility of delivering a much-needed trophy and a spot in the Champions League.
