Club celebrations in Manchester would be subdued amid poor form and ahead of packed post-season schedule
There will be no open-top bus parade if Manchester United win the Europa League later this month, with club officials reportedly opting for a low-key barbecue to mark the occasion.
United face Tottenham Hotspur in the final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on 21 May, a match that now carries huge significance for both clubs after dismal domestic campaigns. Ruben Amorim’s side sit 16th in the Premier League, just one place above Spurs, but Europa League success would not only bring silverware to hide some of the embarrassment of finishing bottom of the table, it would also guarantee Champions League qualification for 2025/26.
Despite what’s at stake, any celebrations in Manchester will be subdued, according to The Sun. Reports from the club are that club directors deem a barbecue to be sufficient.
The unusual choice of celebration may reflect the mood at the club after what has been an abysmal season. The barbecue would also seem to align with a series of cost-cutting measures at the club, including job losses at Old Trafford and the training ground, as United navigate a difficult transition period under the new leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
However, a packed post-season schedule may also be one of the main reasons for the club’s minimalist plans. United are due to play Aston Villa four days after the Europa League final before flying to Asia for post-season friendlies in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on 28 and 30 May.
