Manchester United’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham could have more significant implications for the beleaguered club than merely missing out on another trophy. The defeat to Marco Silva’s team means that the only remaining silverware up for grabs this season is the Europa League, with the victors securing a spot in next season’s Champions League.
If United fail to clinch the Europa League title, they risk being without any European football next season – a situation that has only occurred once in the past 30 years. Given their current form, it seems highly likely that United will not win the Europa League, making it difficult to attract top talent in the summer.
With financial woes amounting to losses of £300million over the last three years, United will need to be more strategic with their recruitment than in recent times. Amid these financial constraints, which have already led to the layoff of 250 staff and potentially 200 more, United must be prudent and astute with their summer dealings.
However, even taking into account the need to offload players before purchasing, United may struggle to lure high-quality players if they cannot offer European football.
United legend Wayne Rooney has delivered a damning verdict on the club’s current state, suggesting that top players may now be hesitant to join the Red Devils. “If I’m a top player playing in a different country and Manchester United came to sign me now, I’d be thinking ‘I’m not sure’,” Rooney confessed.
He pointed out the lack of stability and consistent vision at Old Trafford as key issues, noting: “United have spent a lot of money over the last 10 years.
“The structure hasn’t been there because a certain manager hasn’t had a long enough period of time. Every time they’re starting to move forward a bit, it gets ripped up again because they’ve got a different style.”
Rooney’s comments come as a stark reminder of the challenges facing United, who have missed out on prime targets like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, with both players achieving Champions League glory elsewhere – a feat United currently cannot match.
With the Europa League victory being pivotal for United’s resurgence, failure to secure European football next season could see them lose out on stars such as Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, or Matheus Cunha, further complicating their path back to the top.
This article first appeared on The Mirror.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk