Manchester United must use Europa League to prove they’re making progress

Manchester United don’t want to be in the Europa League. This is a club that imagines itself at the elite level of English and European soccer. Of course, Old Trafford hasn’t been home to a team worthy of that standard for some time and so Ruben Amorim and his players have no choice but to make the best use of their Thursday night matches.

This week, United have traveled to France to face Lyon in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. This promises to be a tricky test against an opponent currently on a run of six wins from their last seven matches in all competitions. Lyon, like Manchester United, might not be the force they were in the 2000s, but they still carry a threat.

Rayan Cherki could be the most threatening player on the pitch. The 21-year-old has been extremely prolific for Lyon this season, registering 26 goal contributions in Ligue 1 and the Europa League. Cherki has been linked with a summer move to Old Trafford and so this quarterfinal tie could be something of an audition.

United can’t take anything for granted, certainly with Amorim’s team currently struggling for form in the Premier League. The Red Devils are on course for a bottom-half finish, a harsh reality that will make the 2024/25 campaign a failure no matter what happens in the Europa League. 

Nonetheless, Manchester United must use the Europa League to prove they are heading in the right direction. There is a trophy on offer and having a piece of silverware to hold would be a symbol of Amorim’s team making progress. More than that, though, United are putting in place the building blocks for the future.

“At the moment it is really hard, every day,” said Amorim when asked about the development of Manchester United under his stewardship. “But you imagine that next season is going to be so much different. That is why I am always saying that I am in a rush, because we are suffering a lot. Everyone here is suffering a lot with all these changes and we have to show something in the next year, so right away. 

“If not, I feel that all that is happening in this moment, we are not taking advantage. I think that is an important thing. In the good days you think like that. It is important to come as soon as possible to work with the players and improve the players, to start the next season with a better idea what we want.”

In some sense, Champions League qualification would be a bad thing for Manchester United at this point of their development. It might even be beneficial for United to miss out on European qualification altogether. Amorim has been limited by having to play two games every week since his appointment. He might prefer to have only domestic matters to focus on.

Progress has been slow and painful, but it is happening. Manchester United are getting better in possession. They still have a long way to go, but United were able to play out from the back against Manchester City in Sunday’s derby. Had Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund been sharper, at least one of these attacks would have resulted in a goal.

Patrick Dorgu has made an impact since making the move to Old Trafford from Lecce in the January transfer window. The young Dane has given United some much-needed physicality down the left wing, although Dorgu’s performance against City proved he must improve his final ball and decision-making in the final third.

Amorim’s system has been an awkward fit for the players he inherited from the previous regime. It will take a number of transfer windows for Manchester United to remould its squad in the image of the Portuguese manager. It would therefore be foolish to expect United to be competitive at the elite level next season.

United have already won the Europa League in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson age. Jose Mourinho led the club to continental glory in 2016, but ultimately that triumph didn’t lead to anything meaningful in the seasons to come. Amorim doesn’t just need to win the Europa League. He needs it to signify a change in culture, playing style, mentality. Everything.