Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that it is “not right” that Manchester United could qualify for the Champions League next season by winning the Europa League this month.
Manchester United have had a terrible season in the Premier League and have no chance of qualifying for European competition through their league position.
However, the Reds have a strong chance of getting Champions League football next term as they prepare for the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.
The winners of that competition will automatically qualify for the Champions League next term – that rule has been in place for a decade, and Jose Mourinho’s United side in 2017 benefited from it.
United’s potential opponents in the Bilbao final, Tottenham Hotspur, have had a similarly disastrous campaign in the Premier League but also have the hope of European qualification through winning silverware.
Wenger says Champions League spot for United is not right
There have been some suggestions that neither United or Spurs deserve to qualify for the Champions League due to their poor seasons, and that the rules should be changed.
Arsene Wenger, former manager of Arsenal, has supported those claims and believes that UEFA should look to review the prize for winning the Europa League.
Asked if it was “right” for the winners to qualify for the Champions League, Wenger told BeIN Sports: “No – they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League.
“Especially when you’re in the Premier League where already five teams qualify. I think it’s something (for UEFA) to think about and to review.”
However, the Frenchman would then go onto mention exactly why his suggestion is ridiculous. “On the other hand people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize,” he added.
Europa League winners have stronger case for Champions League spot than fifth place
This is perhaps one of the most ridiculous arguments, and is only relevant because United are heading towards the final.
In truth, there’s a stronger case for a club to earn a CHAMPIONS League spot by winning a European competition than by simply finishing fifth in the Premier League.
Wenger also contradicted his entire argument when mentioning the need for a prize in the Europa League. That is the entire point.
Read More: Revealed: How much Manchester United stand to earn through winning the Europa League this season
If this was Brighton and Fulham in the semi-finals of the competition, the entire story would be completely different. It is just another example of people trying to find something to hate about United, and it seems like Wenger is still bitter.
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