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| United face Tottenham in an all English final on May 21 |
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And so it has come to pass. With the Basques of Bilbao
conquered in more-convincing-than-expected fashion, Ruben Amorim and his
unlikely lads will get their shot at season-saving redemption.
It would be some salvation – not only a third major trophy
in three seasons (quite something for the worst United side in my lifetime),
but the riches of Champions League football and the financial security it
brings.
It wouldn’t, and shouldn’t, excuse the abominable car crash that has been the wreckage of the Reds season. Lowest ever league position, points tally, fewest number of wins in the Premier League era, and most losses (with three games left). But United will be back in the ancient northern coastal city for the final on 21 May. It would allow Amorim to recruit the right player profile for his system and new signings are more likely to want to join us – and for us to be able to afford them – with the Reds dining at the top table. It would also mean we have had a better campaign than Arsenal, yet again. The worst Manchester United in my lifetime has reached a fourth major final in as many seasons, and will bid to win a third major trophy in a row.
You could argue Amorim would benefit from no European
football next term, to go without it would actually help him and us: it would
give him more time to instil his methodology and fine-tune his obligatory
three-at-the-back system. Fewer matches means Amorim will have longer to work
with the players at Carrington.
Unbeaten United's deeds of derring do
Somehow, we got here. United’s dramatic high-wire act has
been quite the ride. From the opening draw with Twente in the last knocking of
Erik ten Hag’s tenure, to the brink of European glory. United have been in ‘do
or die’ survival mode since Christmas, and have cleared every hurdle from Twente
to Bilbao via Porto, Fenerbahce, Lyon and Sociedad - the only unbeaten side left in each of the three European competitions.
But why? Why this contrast between the team’s league woes and
our other wordly deeds of derring do? None of us will know for sure, but there
are a few potential factors: The fact the players gave up on the league months
ago, the fact Europe is less physically demanding and a slower intensity, and
Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation is continental in style and seems to suit the rigours
of this marathon European voyage.
Not many people gave us a chance against Bilbao with United
the rank outsiders against Spain’s fourth-best side. With the final in their
home city, there seemed a sense of fate for the Basques to seize this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of playing in a European final on home soil. But
United, as we have done so often, tore up the script and wrote a totally new
one. United saved their two best performances of the season for a continental
semi-final. Make it make sense.
But our job is not done yet, the mission not yet completed.
We still have one more big assignment left.
The finishing line of one of United’s greatest ever acts of
escapology may be within sight, but we have not crossed it. The last couple of
miles are always the most difficult.
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| Amad Diallo will be fit for the final |
Reds to face familiar foes in Bilbao showdown
Standing in our way are struggling divisional rivals
Tottenham Hotspur in an-all Premier League dust up. It’s the worst case
scenario: A club that does not win trophies under a manager who always wins one in his second season. They are in exactly the same position as us: one of
English football’s biggest names languishing in unchartered territory in the
lower reaches of the table. Hull City got to an FA Cup final and finished 16th,
Wigan did so and were relegated so it has happened before, but certainly not in
a European final and not with both sides having completely stunk the
gaff out. It’s a funny old game.
A club without a major trophy since 2008 – one of the
longest droughts in football, and, like us, needing victory to save their
season and qualify for the Champions League. This will be torture, hell on
earth, and I’m going to hate every second of it. Gdansk level of pain x 50.
Imagine being THAT club… no, let’s not go there. I don’t want to think about it
but can’t stop doing so.
It will feel like a Premier League game and will be played like one against a
side whom have doubled us and also knocked out the Carabao Cup…. fourth time
lucky, right?
90 minutes to save our season
And so it all comes down to this. The San Mames stadium in
Bilbao in two weeks time and the chance to redeem ourselves. The jeopardy is
high, the stakes are higher. A 59-game season decided in a single blink of the
eye: 90 nervous and nail biting minutes to determine reap or ruin. A season’s
worth of blood, sweat and tears settled by a single match.
The Europa League has grown in importance as United’s season
has lurched from one catastrophe to another. It started out as a minor
inconvenience but could be the most important silverware United have won in
years.
Follow, follow, follow cause’ United are going to Bilbao.
Let the piss boiling commence.