Although it is difficult for Manchester United to save a disappointing season, the Europa League final on Wednesday will go a long way in dictating the future of the team, with Champions League qualification on the line and boss Ruben Amorim in the hot chair.
The once-dominant United is getting away in the 16th classification in the Premier League rankings and winning the Europa League in Bilbao against Tottenham Hotspur is their only route back to European football.
Although a loss would be a huge blow to already running United fans, it would also have a huge impact on the Bottom Line of the team with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe who treasures the price for Champions League qualification between 80 and 100 million pounds in broadcast, matchday and commercial income.
“Champions League can change everything,” Amorim recently told reporters. “If you look at the moment, we are not ready to be really competitive in the Premier League and to deal with the Champions League. If you are in the Champions League, you have a different budget to put a better team for next season.”
The hoisting of the Europa League trophy would be a reason to celebrate during another miserable season.
The 1-0 Premier League defeat of United by Chelsea on Friday was their 18th loss of the campaign, which means that they will go the entire league season without winning two consecutive games for the first time in club history.
Their 18 defeats are the most since losing 20 in 1973-74, the last season in which they were banned from the top flight. They also gone eight consecutive league matches without a victory.
The 40-year-old Amorim pointed out United's ability to increase their play on the European stage. United is undefeated in the Europa League this campaign and trounced athletic Bilbao with 7-1 aggregated in their semi-final with two legs.
Amorim's men were about to elimination against Olympique Lyonnais in their quarterfinals for late goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire – the last to save United in the 121st minute.
“We get the last unbeaten, I think we should regard that as something very positive,” defender Diogo Dalot said the United website.
“It is always difficult to play these competitions if you play so many teams from many different countries, totally different styles than we are used to in England. To find that consistent result, I think it is something positive that we can take this season.”
The most recent matches of Manchester United against Tottenhamflash score
The victory in the final would illuminate the criticism of Amorim, as United Fa Cup victory last season did for former manager Erik ten Hag, who signed a one-year contract extension days later, but was fired on October 29, after a sad start of this season.
The lack of improvement of the team under Amorim has earned the Portuguese its part of doubters.
Despite the high bet, he feels positive.
“Of course we have to believe,” Amorim said about Wednesday's final. “I am really sure. I feel that my players are ready for this game.
“They know what it means, not just for us, but for our fans and for the club. After this season we are ready to fight for the only thing that can help us remember this season in a different way.
“We will be prepared for the final. It is a different context and a different game. The most important thing is the change in my team's mentality. They compete and that is the most important thing for me.”