How Europa League Final Offers Huge Financial Boost For Manchester United And Tottenham Hotspur

‎Manchester United and Tottenham are striving to turn around their disappointing domestic seasons in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

‎Securing a spot in next season’s Champions League is just as important as lifting the trophy itself.

‎Both clubs head to Bilbao for the final assailed by stinging criticism amid their worst seasons of the Premier League era.

‎Manchester United are sitting 16th in the league, and Tottenham are just one point worse off in 17th place, with only one game remaining.

‎The relegation struggles of Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton have largely kept United and Tottenham from a shameful fight to stay above the drop zone.

‎Without those struggling teams, both clubs might be embroiled in a tense battle to avoid relegation.

‎For the loser of the final, the hangover from this season threatens to be a long one as the lack of European football will deal a monumental blow to their budgets going forward.

‎”It really does impact, I think, the next two or three years for both clubs,” said former United captain Gary Neville.

‎”They need investment into their teams, and if they don’t get this Champions League money, then there is going to be a lot less investment, which means they might not make the Champions League next season.”

‎Manchester United have only missed out on European qualification once in the past 35 years.

‎The club’s finances are currently under pressure, as co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has enforced significant cost-cutting measures since purchasing a minority stake a little over a year ago.

‎United recently announced a further 200 redundancies were planned after 250 jobs were cut last year.

‎In defending those decisions, Ratcliffe claimed in March that the Red Devils would have “run out of money at Christmas” without that action.

‎Investment is needed at Old Trafford both on and off the pitch.

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‎Manchester United revealed earlier this year their plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium, estimated to cost around £2 billion.

‎Since taking charge as manager in November, Ruben Amorim has struggled to reverse the team’s fortunes, managing only six wins in 26 Premier League matches.

‎”For me, the Champions League is more important,” said Amorim last week on whether a place among Europe’s elite or a trophy in his first season was more vital.

‎”The best way to help us to get to the top in a few years is the Champions League. It is not the title, the trophy.

‎”The most important thing is how this title could help us to get back to the top faster.”

‎Conservative estimates indicate that winning at San Mames could be worth around £70 million for the victorious team.

‎United earned £52 million from their group-stage exit in last season’s Champions League.

‎Since then, a major overhaul of European competitions has led to more games and increased prize money from UEFA.

‎”A good season in the Champions League can be worth far more than £100 million,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire told the BBC.

‎”By the time you combine gate receipts, sponsor bonuses, and the prize money available, the numbers involved are eye-watering.”

‎What it means for Spurs

‎Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been criticized by supporters for prioritizing financial sustainability over winning trophies.

‎Despite the club’s income increasing dramatically over the last two decades, Spurs have gone 17 years without securing silverware.

‎On Wednesday, they hope to end that drought with a victory in the final.

‎A state-of-the-art new stadium has opened up fresh revenue streams from hosting concerts to world title boxing bouts.

‎Yet, Spurs have still managed to lose over £100 million in the past two seasons.

‎”We cannot spend what we do not have,” said Levy when the club’s latest accounts were revealed in March.

‎Whoever does not win on Wednesday will face a difficult journey to return to the top level of European football.