There are few positives Manchester United can take following Wednesday night’s crushing Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. It’s a result that ends United’s season, given Ruben Amorim’s side can no longer qualify for European competition of any kind.
A spot in the Champions League wouldn’t have absolved all of United’s issues, with the Red Devils in need of surgery on their squad during the off-season. But without the added finances, a spot at Europe’s top table will bring, any potential work on the squad is now going to be much more difficult.
There is at least one reason for United to be thankful they didn’t triumph in Bilbao, and that’s because of a recent UEFA rule change. This season saw a revamp for UEFA competitions, with all three tournaments switching from a group stage format to a league phase.
The decision to stop teams from the Champions League dropping into the Europa League was also taken, but it’s a change to the seeding system that will have United fans breathing a sigh of relief, with Tottenham supporters left fearing the worst. In the old format, the winner of the Europa League would be placed in Pot One for the Champions League draw – something that has since changed
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