Should Manchester United take big Europa League decision?

After a shock exit from the Champions League, Manchester United now must compete in the Europa League this season. But is it worth competing in?

After a shock and unexpected exit from the Champions League, Manchester United now must compete in the Europa League this season as a result of finishing third in their group behind Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.

However, some fans hold the opinion that focusing on the Europa League is pointless, the games are on awkward days and times, the competition isn’t considered elite and it isn’t an easy trophy like many will assume.

The decision is one that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must get right, focusing on the league might just lead to him keeping his job. The Premier League is tight, only 5 points separate leaders, Tottenham Hotspur, and eighth placed Manchester United. There is plenty of opportunity for the Red Devils to capitalise on the mistakes of other teams, permitting they don’t continue to make their own.

The Champions League exit was something unacceptable, especially considering the stellar form in which they started their European campaign. They beat both Paris Saint Germain and RB Leipzig but fumbled against Istanbul Başakşehir. It truly was a mixed bag of results for the Solskjaer’s side and left a sour feeling in fans’ mouths.

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Being back in the Champions League is an objective the club want to achieve every season, in order to draw players in with the promise of high-level European football. However, this objective seems futile if the club cannot get past the group stages in it, especially when they let small errors lead to massive losses.

Focusing on the league seems to be the smart decision. Every point matters, maximum points must be taken from every game, tactics must be spot on. Our best players, those like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, must always be ready for the league.

Being in the Europa League will only hinder this, the mid-week games will throw a spanner in the schedule. From this season so far, it’s clear to see that United cannot handle the pressure, so is it worth risking another year of Champions League football, and then possibly losing out on top targets like Jadon Sancho, for the possibility of lifting the Europa League? We don’t think so.