It’s do or die for Manchester United in the Europa League final for more reasons than one. Ruben Amorim has endured a disastrous time of things in the Premier League since arriving from Sporting in November, with European competition having provided some much-needed respite.
Remarkably, even though they’ve lost 17 times in the league, the Red Devils remain unbeaten in the Europa League and progressed into the final by virtue of a thumping 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Club. A final against Tottenham Hotspur awaits – a side United have lost three times to this season – in Bilbao next week, with what could be a defining night for Amorim and INEOS.
Beating Spurs in northern Spain is the only route United have to next season’s Champions League, and while supporters will be excited to welcome back Europe’s elite to Old Trafford, for the club’s bigwigs, it’s all about the money. Competing clubs are guaranteed £15million for just turning up, with millions more on offer depending on a club’s performance and results in the competition.
Given it’s the Champions League or bust as far as Europe next season is concerned, the result against Tottenham will likely have huge implications on United’s summer transfer window. But the 20-time English champions could also raise money via sales, with The Independent reporting United have been speaking to clubs in Italy about offloading Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee hasn’t even been at the club for 12 months, having joined from Bologna for £36m last summer. Meanwhile, Hojlund has had one season longer, but cost over double the amount of money United paid for Zirkzee, coming in for £72m from Atalanta in 2023.
While they’re unlikely to break even on the duo should they part ways, any money raised will be immediately reinvested in transfer targets for the summer window. Chief among them is Liam Delap, who following Ipswich Town’s relegation to the Championship, now has a £30m release clause set to become active when the season finishes. United are putting in the groundwork to get a deal done.
Then there’s Premier League pair Antoine Semenyo and Matheus Cunha, who have improved for Bournemouth and Wolves respectively this season, with Amorim and co. said to be keen on snapping them up. Cunha is valued at around £60m, with the outlet suggesting a deal for the Brazil international will likely be wrapped up, regardless of the Europa League final result.
However, a move for Semenyo is expected to hinge on Champions League football, with Bournemouth also demanding a fee in the region of £60m. As such, it’s all eyes on San Mames next week. If United win, all three could be headed to Old Trafford.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk