Manchester United have an impressive record in English domestic competitions this season, but they are still the only unbeaten team in European competition and have a chance to achieve their twin goals of "cup glory and return to the Champions League" by winning the Europa League. Interestingly, the Reds have been involved in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Europa League, all three major European cup competitions.
In the Europa League, United themselves will face Ligue 1 side Lyon in the quarter-finals next month, and if they go one step further, they could face La Liga side and final hosts Athletic Bilbao. In the other half, there are not weak opponents such as Lazio and Tottenham, and it will definitely not be easy to win the cup in the end.
On his next opponent, Leon, United manager Ruben Amorim said: "The opponent is important and I think it will be a different game. The match against Lyon will be a different game as the physical confrontation between the two sides will be more intense. They play in the same league as our Premier League, which is very physical. Although the strength is comparable, the physical confrontation is fierce. So, that's going to be a different game. We have to find different ways to win games and the team is ready for it. However, the focus is on Leicester City for now, so let's focus on the league."
Sources told Football Insider that United's current league position (14th) will only bring in £24.8 million for the club, around £27.9 million less than expected for the season. Therefore, Amorim is also shouldering the heavy responsibility of improving the ranking and making more money. According to the distribution rules, for each move up the ranking, there is about two to three million pounds more.
But the Champions League place is still the most valuable, if the Europa League wins, Manchester United can directly qualify for the Champions League group stage, with an expected income of more than 100 million euros! So, if one is to lean towards one over the other in the Premier League and Europa League, Amorim will undoubtedly follow the example of his teacher Jose Mourinho in 2017 and decisively abandon the league to try to win the European title.
In Europe's three major cups, there are also a number of Manchester United loanees who have a chance to win the title. The UEFA Cup, in particular, may eventually become a playground for the Red Devils! In the quarter-finals, Real Betis, played by Mr. Antony of 100 million euros, will play in the top half, and the green and white team of La Liga will face the little-known Jagiellon, a Polish side. If they qualify, they could meet Serie A Fiorentina with Manchester United veteran David De Gea, who will need to beat Slovenian Celje first.
Chelsea are the favourites to win the tournament in the bottom half of the Europa League, with Manchester United's Jadon Sancho on loan and a £25million transfer deal set to complete in the summer window. Chelsea face Legia Warsaw, Poland, while potential semi-final opponents include Jürgarden and Rapid Vienna. Chelsea could have no problem progressing to the final, with Jadon Sancho likely to play in a European final for the second year in a row against old team-mates Antony or David De Gea.
In the Champions League, Marcus Rashford, who Manchester United loaned to Aston Villa, reached the quarter-finals with the team, with Paris Saint-Germain next up against them. The 27-year-old has scored many times in the Champions League, including the classic stoppage time penalty to defeat the opponent to achieve a reversal promotion!
Manchester United's loan deal with Villa has been agreed upon with an option of £40 million in the summer window, which would greatly increase the chances of Rashford completing the transfer if he can help the team go far in the Champions League. Of course, it will be too difficult for Unai Emery's side to lift the Big Ears Cup, and it will be a huge upset and a miracle if it happens.
If United win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League, and Antony (ideal €40 million), Marcus Rashford (ideal €50 million) and Jadon Sancho (€30 million buy-out clause) also perform well in Europe to make transfers, which could bring in a total of €200 million, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be sure to cheer on these Red Devils players in the coming European competitions.