May 7 – Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have a chance to salvage their worst season in recent history by winning the UEFA Europa League. Should they fail to bring home the trophy, the club stands to miss out on an estimated £100m+ in revenue.
Currently sitting 14th in the Premier League, winning the Europa League represents United’s only pathway back into European competition. Victory would secure Champions League qualification for the three-time winners of the big cup.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently valued Champions League qualification between £80-£100 million. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport: “A good season in the Champions League can be worth far in excess of £100 million. By the time you combine gate receipts, sponsor bonuses and the prize money available, the numbers involved are eye-watering.”
According to Maguire, even if United lost all eight league-stage fixtures, the club would still bank £70 million in prize money, along with broadcast and matchday income.
With United’s overall debt approaching £1 billion, attracting top talent without Champions League football poses a considerable challenge.
“Champions League can change everything,” said Amorim last month. “If you look at this moment we are not ready to be really competitive in Premier League and cope with Champions League. If you are in Champions League you have a different budget to put a better team for next season.”
With a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the second leg at Old Trafford after dominating Athletic Club in Bilbao, a place in the final looks assured. United will face either Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt or fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur in the final – a tantalising opportunity to win their seventh European trophy and potentially save the club from serious financial hardship.
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