Now we're talking. We can even hire Hackney Marshes and arrange a game against a select Cafe XI on Tuesday/Wednesday nights.
European football next season | United - Europa League, Chelsea - Conference League, wee club in the north-east - feck all!
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
DutchSerb
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I would have loved to watch some youngsters play in the ECL. With Mainoo and Garnacho developing well I really hoped to see some more academy players getting a chance this season, especially with all the injuries.
However if Ten Hag stays on I'm glad we didn't qualify. He would 100% send out our starters against some random eastern European team who's entire yearly transfer budget consists of Rashford's weekly salary, just to tell us what an important and meaningful game it was in the post-match presser.
However if Ten Hag stays on I'm glad we didn't qualify. He would 100% send out our starters against some random eastern European team who's entire yearly transfer budget consists of Rashford's weekly salary, just to tell us what an important and meaningful game it was in the post-match presser.
Morpheus 7
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You get what you deserve, no complaints
Ace Krampus
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The defeatism and cynicism here is shocking to me. Given the choice, you guy want fewer Manchester United games? Fewer chances to see the team play and win a trophy? We're not Birmingham or Sunderland, you don't think we can find a way to compete in multiple competitions? I don't expect to beat City but if we do, I can't wait to see the whiners tear their hair out and moan about how they wish we weren't in the Europa because we'll have to play an extra 10 games. Have a word.
Bwuk
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I'd obviously rather beat City and qualify for the Europa, but it's not the end of the world.
With less games and travel, we require a smaller squad who'd be able to train and spend more time at Carrington together.
With less games and travel, we require a smaller squad who'd be able to train and spend more time at Carrington together.
Murder on Zidanes Floor
You'd better not kill Giroud
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Chelsea are an absolute shambles.This is absolute nonsense.
There's zero benefit to United not being in Europe next season.
Look at some examples from this season. Chelsea and Spurs have hardly been adverts for the benefits of not being in Europe either. All that extra time to train and they only finished 5th and 6th.
Spurs have a tiny budget compared to us.
Pushing this disjointed and bloated squad to play another 60 games because it's "Europe" is ridiculous.
Concentrate on the league.
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West Ham have higher standards than us these days.
stefan92
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The danger in this is that you start celebrating losses. That doesn't help when you want to breed a "winning culture" again. I agree that there are benefits when you don't play in Europe, but I think it's questionable if those benefits outweigh the issues it causes.Chelsea are an absolute shambles.
Spurs have a tiny budget compared to us.
Pushing this disjointed and bloated squad to play another 60 games because it's "Europe" is ridiculous.
Concentrate on the league.
Murder on Zidanes Floor
You'd better not kill Giroud
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Win a trophy? The conference league? That's how Birmingham and Sunderland think ffs.The defeatism and cynicism here is shocking to me. Given the choice, you guy want fewer Manchester United games? Fewer chances to see the team play and win a trophy? We're not Birmingham or Sunderland, you don't think we can find a way to compete in multiple competitions? I don't expect to beat City but if we do, I can't wait to see the whiners tear their hair out and moan about how they wish we weren't in the Europa because we'll have to play an extra 10 games. Have a word.
What's the point.
Lentwood
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Glad we're not in the Europa.
If we used it as a competition to blood youngsters and get minutes into fringe players then I'd be fine with it - but our previous managers have all beem so desperate for a bit of cheap success they have fielded mainly our strongest XIs and burnt the players out.
United should never be prioritising winning the Europa League. If we get into the semi finals playing fringe players then great, have a crack at winning it by all means...but playing senior players in group games is shocking.
If we used it as a competition to blood youngsters and get minutes into fringe players then I'd be fine with it - but our previous managers have all beem so desperate for a bit of cheap success they have fielded mainly our strongest XIs and burnt the players out.
United should never be prioritising winning the Europa League. If we get into the semi finals playing fringe players then great, have a crack at winning it by all means...but playing senior players in group games is shocking.
Lentwood
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Much as I don't believe Fernandez, Pellistri and Mejbri and good enough for United long term, I'd happily bring them back into the fold if it means getting rid of senior players.
We have maybe 8-10 who MUST go for various reasons...Eriksen, Varane, Martial, Williams, DvdB, Casemiro, Evans...some might include Sancho, Malacia and Greenwood.
That being the case, we'll likely need those young lads + one or two more from the Academy to make up numbers.
We have maybe 8-10 who MUST go for various reasons...Eriksen, Varane, Martial, Williams, DvdB, Casemiro, Evans...some might include Sancho, Malacia and Greenwood.
That being the case, we'll likely need those young lads + one or two more from the Academy to make up numbers.
Andy_Cole
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I’m glad there’s no conference. feck starting mid August with the euros this season. Hag doesn’t play kids/ rest seniors. Need a proper season now with no excuses.
Happy with Europa mind.
Happy with Europa mind.
KeanoMagicHat
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Europa League is arguably the third biggest trophy you could win, and gives you automatic qualification for the Champions League with top seeding. Better to do well in the Europa League than get utterly outclassed in the CL which has happened a few times in recent years. Europa League is our level until we prove otherwise. Conference League is a different matter.Glad we're not in the Europa.
If we used it as a competition to blood youngsters and get minutes into fringe players then I'd be fine with it - but our previous managers have all beem so desperate for a bit of cheap success they have fielded mainly our strongest XIs and burnt the players out.
United should never be prioritising winning the Europa League. If we get into the semi finals playing fringe players then great, have a crack at winning it by all means...but playing senior players in group games is shocking.
Also playing flat out in the Europa League had no impact at all on Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Our best season in the past 5 years was when we had a Europa League campaign that got to the final. Winning breeds confidence, which often leads to more winning.
davidmichael
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Seeing as were likely to get rid of a load of the squad this summer and won’t get as many in due to our PSR situation no European football means we can work with a smaller squad and not fear burning the players out, we’d play I think a maximum of 50 games next season if we got to the final of both cups as well as our league games.
Realistically we’re looking at getting rid of AWB, Varane, Lindelof, Evans, Williams, Fernandez, Casemiro, Eriksen, VDB, Hannibal, Pellestri, Sancho, Greenwood and Martial which is half our squad and I’d be surprised if we brought in more than a right back, two centre backs, a left back, a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, a right winger and a striker and even that’s unlikely.
We have to be realistic that we’re not going to challenge for trophies next season as this summer and next season is the big Ineos club reset, Ratcliffe said himself that he’s looking at 3 years to start challenging properly for the big prizes. We should look at the positives in no European football with the main one meaning our players are fresh and we can try to integrate some of the kids into the squad.
Realistically we’re looking at getting rid of AWB, Varane, Lindelof, Evans, Williams, Fernandez, Casemiro, Eriksen, VDB, Hannibal, Pellestri, Sancho, Greenwood and Martial which is half our squad and I’d be surprised if we brought in more than a right back, two centre backs, a left back, a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder, a right winger and a striker and even that’s unlikely.
We have to be realistic that we’re not going to challenge for trophies next season as this summer and next season is the big Ineos club reset, Ratcliffe said himself that he’s looking at 3 years to start challenging properly for the big prizes. We should look at the positives in no European football with the main one meaning our players are fresh and we can try to integrate some of the kids into the squad.
Massive Spanner
The Football Grinch
I always quite enjoyed the Europa. Something about watching us play on a Thursday was always a welcome surprise.
BorisManUtd
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Yeah and quite possible that winning Europa will be easier route to CL than PL for us next season (if we qualify for it).Europa League is arguably the third biggest trophy you could win, and gives you automatic qualification for the Champions League with top seeding. Better to do well in the Europa League than get utterly outclassed in the CL which has happened a few times in recent years. Europa League is our level until we prove otherwise. Conference League is a different matter.
Also playing flat out in the Europa League had no impact at all on Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Our best season in the past 5 years was when we had a Europa League campaign that got to the final. Winning breeds confidence, which often leads to more winning.
If we have no European football next season, at least we'll get rid of many players.
stefan92
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Leverkusen isn't a good example. They usually rotated heavily for the EL matches and played mostly with their second string, which also saw them having some really bad performances. Subbing on the big guns for half an hour saved them in those matches, but starting the first team only happened when they could be sure to win the league - in the quarter final against West Ham, and then they slowed down in the league, just ensuring staying unbeaten instead of going all out for the win. So at no point in this season they went flat out for all competitions, they always had clear prioritiesAlso playing flat out in the Europa League had no impact at all on Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
KeanoMagicHat
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Fair point, I stand corrected. But yeah, every year there are as many teams that do very well in the league while combining it with long European seasons, it's not really a guide. United were knocked out of Europe in December this year, but it didn't lead to any improvement in performances or results - think they got fewer points in the second half of the season as the first.Leverkusen isn't a good example. They usually rotated heavily for the EL matches and played mostly with their second string, which also saw them having some really bad performances. Subbing on the big guns for half an hour saved them in those matches, but starting the first team only happened when they could be sure to win the league - in the quarter final against West Ham, and then they slowed down in the league, just ensuring staying unbeaten instead of going all out for the win. So at no point in this season they went flat out for all competitions, they always had clear priorities
stefan92
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In general you are absolutely right. And even if you heavily rotate for Europe it's helpful. As you said, winning breeds winning, and player being subs in the league who just decided a knockout match on thursday will simply be more confident and have a better rythm than a player who just sits on the bench all the time.Fair point, I stand corrected. But yeah, every year there are as many teams that do very well in the league while combining it with long European seasons, it's not really a guide. United were knocked out of Europe in December this year, but it didn't lead to any improvement in performances or results - think they got fewer points in the second half of the season as the first.
More matches of varying difficulty simply means you can keep more players match-sharp (as long as your squad is big enough so that the amount doesn't become a burden for some players)
kouroux
45k posts to finally achieve this tagline
I'd obviously rather beat City and qualify for the Europa, but it's not the end
Spurs lost Kane, ended up being higher than last season while scoring more goals overall.This is absolute nonsense.
There's zero benefit to United not being in Europe next season.
Look at some examples from this season. Chelsea and Spurs have hardly been adverts for the benefits of not being in Europe either. All that extra time to train and they only finished 5th and 6th.
Chelsea also had a better season FWIW
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No European football would be quite embarrassing for a club like United so I hope we go to Europa by beating City in the final.
Since we were going to finish quite low on the table this season, it was the perfect chance to be the first team to win the Conference League and complete the set so I would also have preferred to be in that than not playing in Europe too but that's gone now.
Since we were going to finish quite low on the table this season, it was the perfect chance to be the first team to win the Conference League and complete the set so I would also have preferred to be in that than not playing in Europe too but that's gone now.
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MancunianAngels
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Chelsea finished 6th
Spurs finished 5th
That's "progress" for them after being so chaotic the previous season but still nowhere near good enough (especially for Chelsea).
If we finished trophyless next season and outside the top 4, nobody on here would consider that a good or decent season.
Spurs finished 5th
That's "progress" for them after being so chaotic the previous season but still nowhere near good enough (especially for Chelsea).
If we finished trophyless next season and outside the top 4, nobody on here would consider that a good or decent season.
Sky1981
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Europa league is not a walk in the park for us. We'd do well to get into QF at this rateEuropa League is arguably the third biggest trophy you could win, and gives you automatic qualification for the Champions League with top seeding. Better to do well in the Europa League than get utterly outclassed in the CL which has happened a few times in recent years. Europa League is our level until we prove otherwise. Conference League is a different matter.
Also playing flat out in the Europa League had no impact at all on Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Our best season in the past 5 years was when we had a Europa League campaign that got to the final. Winning breeds confidence, which often leads to more winning.
It could be a blessing in disguise. Erik is not a huge fan of rotation so we would probably play our strongest team in every game of even Conference League, this way players get more time to recover and we can focus on the league to hopefully deliver a strong season and improve on 23/24.
kouroux
45k posts to finally achieve this tagline
I think it would depend on the quality of football played and the squad adjustments made.Chelsea finished 6th
Spurs finished 5th
That's "progress" for them after being so chaotic the previous season but still nowhere near good enough (especially for Chelsea).
If we finished trophyless next season and outside the top 4, nobody on here would consider that a good or decent season.
I personally don't shit about trophies for the next couple of years as long as the team moves in the right direction
Yakuza_devils
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Home games tickets probably 3-4M per games and there are approximately 10 home games. Potentially 30M-40M.I wouldn't say so with the way we burn through money. I researched how much we could make from it in the Conference League thread.
Group stage participation in the Europa Conference League is awarded a base fee of €2,940,000.
A victory in the group pays €500,000 and a draw €166,000.
Also, each group winner earns €650,000 and each runner-up €325,000.
Reaching the knock-out stage triggers additional bonuses: €300,000 for the round of 32
€600,000 for the round of 16
€1,000,000 for the quarter-finals
€2,000,000 for the semi-finals
The losing finalists receive €3,000,000 and the champions receive €5,000,000.
So if we're perfect in it, we stand to make about €15/16 million, which would cover Rashford's wages for the year.
There will be sponsors incomes and probably TV revenues too.
All in all we could lose about 50-60M, I guess.
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Whos he supposed to play? Hes already into the best of the youth players.I suppose in the event ETH is still in charge it means he can't run certain players into the ground twice a week.
But FFP-wise it's bad news.
Bertie Wooster
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Focus on the league to what end, though? No ones surely suggesting winning it? So presumably it's just competing for the Top 4 'Trophy', is it? So people hope we're in less competitions that we can realistically win in the hope of qualifying for a competition that we realistically have no chance of winning.It could be a blessing in disguise. Erik is not a huge fan of rotation so we would probably play our strongest team in every game of even Conference League, this way players get more time to recover and we can focus on the league to hopefully deliver a strong season and improve on 23/24.
It's going to be a while before we can realistically challenge for the PL or CL, so as we build up to that I'd love to see us develop a winning culture by actually winning some of the other competitions. I'm not interested in becoming a Tottenham like team who win nothing and are just in and amongst the battle for the top 4 every so often. If we currently can't win the league or CL, I still want / expect us to be looking to deliver trophies of some sort.
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MancunianAngels
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Fair if that's your opinion but this place will be demanding massive changes next summer if we have a season similar to Chelsea/Spurs.I think it would depend on the quality of football played and the squad adjustments made.
I personally don't shit about trophies for the next couple of years as long as the team moves in the right direction
George The Best
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So, in the unlikely event we win the Cup Final, then we get Europa and Chelsea are demoted to the Conference - right?
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thisisnottaken1
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Yup. I’d be unhappy if next season is a trophyless one in which we finish outside the top 4.Fair if that's your opinion but this place will be demanding massive changes next summer if we have a season similar to Chelsea/Spurs.
stefan92
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ExactlySo, in the unlikely event we win the Cup Final, then we get Europa and Chelsea are demoted to the Conference - right?
George The Best
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Great - let’s do this!Exactly
As an unbiased Chelsea supporter I would advise that you lot don't try and win the FA Cup because we all know that the Europa League is a tinpot cup competition and it's beneath you. FYI my middle name is Objective.
DJ_21
Evens winner of 'Odds or Evens 2022/2023'
It’s about our standards right now though. I don’t mind the Europa now since that 3rd tier ones come in. Also gives a route into the CL which is always a bonus.As an unbiased Chelsea supporter I would advise that you lot don't try and win the FA Cup because we all know that the Europa League is a tinpot cup competition and it's beneath you. FYI my middle name is Objective.
DJ_21
Evens winner of 'Odds or Evens 2022/2023'
Agreed. If our football has improved massively and is consistent then I don’t think many people will moan if we don’t win anything. It’s like this season, we’ve managed to get to the Fa cup final by playing rubbish, imagine if we actually play decent football… we could be lifting it in a few years.I think it would depend on the quality of football played and the squad adjustments made.
I personally don't shit about trophies for the next couple of years as long as the team moves in the right direction
Ian Reus
Ended 14 years of Grand National sweepstakes
We have to throw everything at the city match and still hope for a bit of luck.
If winning the FA cup is our only route into Europe, albeit the lesser of competitions, we should be absolutely going for it.
If winning the FA cup is our only route into Europe, albeit the lesser of competitions, we should be absolutely going for it.
Rojofiam
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Not true.This is absolute nonsense.
There's zero benefit to United not being in Europe next season.
Look at some examples from this season. Chelsea and Spurs have hardly been adverts for the benefits of not being in Europe either. All that extra time to train and they only finished 5th and 6th.
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Regarding the fewer number of matches: Just because it didn't work out for Chelsea and Spurs in your eyes, that doesn't mean that's the case, or that it wouldn't benefit us, even if it didn't benefit them.