EUROPA LEAGUE AND CONFERENCE LEAGUE PHASE DRAW 2026/27

 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE V EUROPA LEAGUE: PSG FACE ASTON VILLA IN SUPER CUP

The UEFA Super Cup marks the beginning of competitive football for the 2026/27 season

It's champions v champions in the UEFA Super Cup
AFP

Dubai: Paris Saint-Germain will aim to retain their UEFA Super Cup title as they face Aston Villa on Wednesday 12 August at Stadion Salzburg in the traditional opening clash of the European season.

After beating Tottenham on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, the French champions secured their place in this year’s final by winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, beating Arsenal in the final.

Now, having gone back-to-back in Europe’s premier club competition, they find themselves facing another north London side in the Super Cup final.

PSG won the 2025 Champions League while Villa won the Europa League
AFP

Aston Villa on the other hand, are looking for a second trophy in quick succession after their 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final ended a 30-year trophy drought.

How to watch

For fans in the UAE, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa will be available live on beIN Sports, which holds the exclusive rights to UEFA’s club competitions across the MENA region through 2027.

Fans can watch via the beIN Sports TV channels or stream the match through the beIN SPORTS CONNECT service, with the exact channel listed on beIN’s TV guide.

PSG team news

Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Hernandez were handed extended time off after the World Cup, meaning they missed both of PSG’s pre-season friendlies.

The group has now returned to first-team training this week and travelled with the squad to Austria, giving Luis Enrique a full complement of players to choose from.

PSG's World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz will be available for selection
AFP-CARL RECINE

It remains to be seen whether Enrique will hand the returning players immediate starts against Aston Villa or opt to introduce them from the bench.

Captain Marquinhos is expected to feature from the outset alongside Portugal trio Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, all of whom played 30 minutes in the recent friendly against Manchester United. Fellow World Cup stars Willian Pacho and Ibrahim Mbaye are also likely to start after featuring in both of PSG’s pre-season matches.

Lucas Digne could make his second PSG debut against his former side after the French club activated the £8.5million release clause in his Villa contract.

Aston Villa team news

World Cup medal winners Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins were all given extended time off and did not feature during Villa’s pre-season campaign.

Should the trio not be ready to start against PSG, Marco Bizot will remain in goal, with Victor Lindelof partnering Pau Torres in defence and Tammy Abraham leading the attack.

Villa will definitely be without Amadou Onana, who suffered an ACL injury to his right knee while representing Belgium at the World Cup. John McGinn is also a doubt after landing awkwardly on his left knee during the pre-season win over BG Pathum United.

Amadou Onana will be out for several months after suffering an ACL injury in the World Cup
AFP-DAVID RAMOS

Record signing Johan Manzambi remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained with Switzerland at the World Cup. However, new arrivals Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes are both expected to make their competitive Villa debuts against PSG.

Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, is set to take over as Villa’s first-choice left-back following Digne’s departure, having struggled for regular starts last season.

- Robert Ilsley

PRINCE WILLIAMS GETS HANDS ON EUROPA LEAGUE TROPHY AS HE CELEBRATES ASTON VILLA'S HISTORIC WIN

Future King emotional at final whistle as he witnesses his beloved Aston Villa win their first major trophy in 30 years

An ecstatic Prince William holds onto the Europa League trophy as he celebrates Aston Villa’s historic Europa League victory.

The future King, who is a huge Villa fan, was pictured last night with his hands on the trophy alongside the club’s manager Unai Emery.

PRINCE WILLIAM AND UNAI EMERY POSED FOR PHOTOS TOGETHER WITH THE EUROPA LEAGUE TROPHY
ASTON VILLA

It comes after photos showed William looking emotional as Villa clinched claimed their first major silverware in 30 years - and a first European title since 1982.

The Prince of Wales attended the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday evening where his beloved Villa won 3-0 against German side Freiburg.

After the victory William erupted into cheers and celebrated with friends who had watched the game alongside him. He appeared to wipe away tears.

CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES

WILLIAM CELEBRATES ASTON VILLA’S VICTORY WITH HIS FRIENDS
GETTY IMAGES

It was Villa’s first major European final since the prince was born, their first silverware since the League Cup in 1996 and a first continental trophy since the European Cup in 1982.

After the match, Kensington Palace published the Prince of Wales’ message to the team: “Amazing night!!

“Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club! 44 years since the last taste of European silverware!”

The prince added: “Special shout out to Boubacar Kamara who has been out injured but is such an integral part of our team and helped lay the foundations of this success.”

Midfielder Kamara has been absent since suffering a knee injury earlier this year.

After lifting the trophy, Villa captain John McGinn said that William, who has followed the club since he was a schoolboy, met the players before kick-off.

“He is a classy guy,” McGinn told TNT.

“He was in the dressing room before the game. He is a massive Villa fan so he was never going to miss it.

“He is just a normal guy. It’s great to have his support and hopefully it continues and tonight he can have a couple of drinks with us and maybe get his credit card out at the end of the night.”

During the final, Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia each scored a goal at the end of the first half.

Morgan Rogers then added a third in the 58th minute, sparking jubilant scenes at the final whistle.

Striker Ollie Watkins revealed the secret to Villa’s triumph following the match.

A trophy parade is due to take place in Birmingham later on Thursday.

- MATT WATTS

UNAI EMERY ON WINNING FIFTH EUROPA LEAGUE | "THIS IS FOR THE FABS"

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL | POST-MATCH REACTION | "BEST MANAGER IN THE WORLD" MARTINEZ PRAISES UNAI EMERY

 

MAGNIFICENT! | ASTON VILLA THRASH NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4-0 TO REACH EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL.

 

ASTON VILLA SEAL EUROPA LEAGIE LAST 16 SPOT; NOTTINGHAM FOREST FACE PLAYOFFS IN CONFERENCE LEAGUE

Aston Villa's Jadon Sancho celebrates © X/AVFCOfficial

Aston Villa secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 1-0 win at Fenerbahce, while Nottingham Forest slid to a costly defeat away to Braga.

Aston Villa secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 1-0 win at Fenerbahce, while Nottingham Forest slid to a costly defeat away to Braga. Celtic blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Bologna and leave their qualification hopes hinging on next week's final round of games as arch-rivals Rangers bowed out despite a first win of the competition. Jadon Sancho's header midway through the first half in Istanbul earned Villa a sixth victory in seven European games, clinching a spot in the top eight and allowing Unai Emery's team to bypass the knockout phase play-offs.

Matty Cash struck the post in the second half and Villa held on as goalkeeper Marco Bizot produced a string of key saves with Fenerbahce pushing for an equaliser.

"I'm just happy to get my first goal for Aston Villa and to top it off with that, it's a win," Sancho, who joined on loan from Manchester United in September, told TNT Sports.

"Honestly, I know I can do a lot more. I'm very hard on myself in that aspect.

"It's nice to have a manager that backs you and obviously believes in you. Again, every opportunity I get I'm going to try and do 100% and hopefully I can deliver goals more."

Villa are second in the standings on 18 points and only trail Lyon on goal difference.

Lyon won 1-0 at Swiss side Young Boys with a goal from former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles to ensure their spot in the last 16.

'Minute of madness' costs Forest

Forest face the prospect of going into the play-offs after a limp display in a 1-0 loss to Braga, who climbed up to fifth.

Morgan Gibbs-White had a penalty saved early in the second half and Braga went straight down the other end and scored as Forest captain Ryan Yates bundled into his own net.

Forest's struggles were compounded when Elliot Anderson was sent off for dissent in stoppage time.

"Very frustrating. One minute of madness. A game we never looked in trouble," Forest boss Sean Dyche told TNT Sports, with Braga not even managing a single shot on target.

"You might come away with a draw, but you shouldn't really lose that game.

"I don't think they hardly had a real chance, then we had a goalmouth scramble and even that can't go in."

Celtic had to settle for a point at Bologna and sit 24th in the 36-team table, occupying the final play-off berth. The Scottish champions host winless Utrecht in their final game next Thursday.

Martin O'Neill's side led through Reo Hatate's early strike in Italy, but the Japan international was sent off for a second booking on 34 minutes.

American defender Auston Trusty doubled Celtic's advantage before half-time, but Bologna fought their way back with goals from Thijs Dallings and Jonathan Rowe.

"We've given ourselves a chance - that's all, a chance - of qualifying. And from that viewpoint, I'm delighted," said O'Neill.

"My own view is that if we had stayed with 11 men, I think we would have won the game."

Rangers were eliminated despite their 1-0 victory over Ludogorets at Ibrox, where Mohamed Diomande grabbed the only goal.

Freiburg and Midtjylland are both on the cusp of a last-16 spot, with Roma well placed to join them after a 2-0 win over Stuttgart -- their fourth in a row in the Europa League.

- Agence France-Presse

ASTON VILLA V MACCABI TEL AVIV POLICE ISSUE MAJOR UPDATE AFTER NIGHT OF PROTESTS

Missiles were allegedly thrown at West Midlands Police officers near Villa Park last night where Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv, a match to which away supporters were banned

Police officers escort a woman with an Israeli flag away from Pro-Palestinian protesters outside Villa Park(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Eleven people — including a child — were arrested last night following protests around Villa Park where Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv, police confirmed.

West Midlands Constabulary said in its latest update the suspects were mostly detained for racism offences near the ground, which hosted the Europa League clash.

Around 200 protesters — including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered near Villa Park's Trinity Road Stand — before the match to demand Israel is excluded from international football. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were placed on the ground beside Trinity Road amid pro-Palestinian chants.

But eleven people were arrested amid the tensions, including a 17-year-old boy who police say was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave. A 21-year-old man tried to throw fireworks into the ground, West Midlands Constabulary added. It was also reported missiles were thrown at officers.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the stadium in Birmingham(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Hundreds of extra officers were on duty in Birmingham on Thursday night. Chief Supt Tom Joyce, Birmingham Police Commander, said: "Our officers are being supported by officers from up and down the country as part of mutual aid. This has definitely been one of the most contentious and controversial matches we've hosted for some time, but our priority, really clearly, is public safety."

Five flatbed vehicles were driven past the ground prior to kick-off carrying electronic billboards showing messages opposing antisemitism.

One of the messages, beside a Star of David, read "Ban hatred not fans" while another carried a quote from Thierry Henry saying football is not about goals but bringing people together.

Hundreds of extra police officers were on duty to cover the demonstrations(Image: Getty Images)

But while violence did not happen, confrontations occurred and police made the 11 arrests. These were;

• A 63-year-old man arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after he was heard shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near Villa Park

• A 21-year-old man arrested after refusing to remove a face covering while a Section 60 order was in place

• A 17-year-old who was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave

• A 34-year-old arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators

• A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested for possession of class B drugs

• A 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse at a police officer

• A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse towards a pro-Palestine group

• A man aged 21 arrested after trying to throw fireworks into the ground

• A man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

West Midlands Police stress it understands the right to protests but had to ensure members of the public in and around Villa Park were safe. Unai Emery's side, currently bottom half of the Premier League, laboured to a 2-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

- Bradley Jolly

ASTON VILLA VS. BOLOGNA | FULL-TIME SCENES AND REACTION | EUROPA LEAGUE

 

GIROUD BECAME THE OLDEST TO SCORE | EUROPA LEAGUE

 

COUNTRIES WITH MOST TITLES | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE / EUROPA

 

CHELSEA'S MARESCA SAYS CONFERENCE LEAGUE 'BEST COMPETITION IN THE WORLD'

Wroclaw (Poland) (AFP) – Enzo Maresca said he had to convince his Chelsea players this season that the UEFA Conference League was the "best competition in the world" as he prepares for Wednesday's final against Real Betis.

Enzo Maresca faced the media ahead of the Conference League final in Wroclaw

The Premier League club are seeking to end their campaign with a flourish in Wroclaw after securing a Champions League spot for next season.

If they beat Betis in Poland, Chelsea would become the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions, having previously won the Champions League, the Europa League and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup.

Maresca, in his first season as manager at Stamford Bridge, said he had been forced to stress the importance of Europe's third-tier club competition to his players.

"Probably the most complicated thing this season about the Conference (League) has been to convince the players that for us it was the best competition in the world," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"And the reason why was because it was the competition that we were in."

Chelsea are two-time European champions but have not won silverware since lifting the Champions League in 2021 under former boss Thomas Tuchel, now in charge of England.

"We cannot play Champions League if we are in the Conference (League), or we cannot play Europa (League). We are in the Conference, so for us it was the most important competition, and we need to try to win that.

"If we are able to win, I think it's a good thing, especially because we continue to build a winning mentality."

Chelsea, favourites from the start, have reached the final in eye-catching style, scoring a competition-record 38 goals so far and winning 11 of their 12 matches.

Maresca, 45, will pit his wits against 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini, a man he describes as a football "father figure" after playing under him at Malaga and serving as assistant coach at West Ham.

The Seville-based club, playing in their first European final, finished sixth in La Liga.

'Outburst'

Maresca rounded on his critics after his youthful side secured fourth spot in the Premier League on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, even using an expletive.

The average age of Chelsea's starting XI is the youngest ever in a single Premier League campaign.

Maresca's men were within touching distance of eventual champions Liverpool in mid-December before stumbling badly, but results picked up again towards the end of the campaign.

On Tuesday he described Sunday's eruption as an "outburst" in the heat of the moment.

"From our point of view, they (critics) were not talking in the right way," he said.

"And the reason why is because, yes, we are young, yes, we are the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League, but at the same time, they are men.

"So I also used what critics had said to say, 'Guys, today (Sunday) is a chance that we can say that we are not young, we are mature enough, we can compete and we can do the right things'."

The former Leicester boss said sealing a Champions League place for next season had been a huge relief.

"We feel much better," he said. "I said a few times during the season that for me it was already a good season for different reasons.

"It can become a very good season if we finish top four, top five and if we are able to win the final tomorrow.

"The first target is there. We achieved that last Sunday and hopefully we can achieve tomorrow the second one."

- © 2025 AFP

THE PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL DAY

 

CRISTIAN ROMERO | TOTTENHAM DEFENDER | PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT | PLAYER OF THE MATCH | UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 2025 FINAL

 

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL | BILBAO 2025

 

MANCHESTER UNITED AND TOTTENHAM SET TO TRIGGER HUGE £1B N WINDFALL, IT'S NEVER HAPPENED IN PREMIER LEAGUE BEFORE

The Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United is already rich with narrative – and the finances behind the clash in Bilbao are far, far bigger than just UEFA prize money.

For Tottenham, who have the chance to end a 17-year silverware drought, it could turn a season which has been historic for all the wrong reasons into one that will be cherished by fans forever.

For Manchester United, finals are usually about glory, but this one is more about saving face.

It’s a remarkable lifeline for both clubs, who have each failed to reach the 40-point mark in the Premier League that has historically been the benchmark for avoiding relegation.

Europa League final: Champions League qualification cash is just the start for Spurs and Man United

By now, readers will be well aware of what is at stake financially in terms of Champions League qualification, which winning the Europa League delivers.

Before a ball is kicked in next season’s Champions League, whoever wins the 2024-25 Europa League final will have earned more than £50m from UEFA, with performance-related bonuses taking potential winnings north of £100m. The new 36-team format is extraordinarily lucrative.

Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Incidentally, UEFA introduced the NEW model to placate former Super League clubs, including Spurs and the Red Devils, who have consistently lobbied for more money-spinning European fixtures even if for Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou the rigours of a bloated matchday calendar are a fitness headache.

This is the reality of football finance, however. It’s the same system that allowed Tottenham and Manchester United to spend a combined £922m on their squads last season.

Winning the Europa League would carve out precious headroom under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which Sir Jim Ratcliffe needs to rebuild the club and justify his brutal programme of job cuts and price rises since INEOS became United’s largest individual shareholder last year.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

For Daniel Levy and ENIC, the final at San Mames is as much about their legacy in North London as it is about finance.

But while Spurs have no PSR issues, real-world cash is another matter.

Under their self-sufficient ownership model, the guarantee of Champions League revenue next season would be a game-changer in respect of their ability to compete in the transfer market.

Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images

And, as the latest analysis from TBR Football shows, the ripple effect from the Europa League final will be felt well beyond San Mames, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Old Trafford.

Manchester United and Tottenham set to see Premier League smash £1bn financial record

Matchday income is cool again.

For years, the narrative among fans – and indeed in some boardrooms – was that the money that clubs generated through the turnstiles was insignificant compared to TV revenue.

However, Tottenham were ahead of the curve when they built their new stadium in N17 as Premier League clubs are turning to matchday income once more to give them a competitive financial edge.

Manchester United, of course, are planning perhaps the most ambitious stadium build in football history, with a new build near the existing Old Trafford expected to accommodate 100,000 fans.

Last season, Premier League clubs generated £922m through the turnstiles.

Given that the Man United vs Tottenham Europa League final guarantees that there will be six teams in the Champions League next season and, after Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph over Man City, at least nine teams in Europe in total, that figure will rise again next season.

Both Tottenham and Man United would expect to break their single-season matchday income records of £137m and £118m respectively.

Everton meanwhile are expected to almost triple their matchday income at their new stadium, while Leeds United’s promotion means there is another big-ticket club in the Premier League.

Combined with dozens of extra matches for Premier League clubs in Europe, total matchday income across the division will surpass £1bn for the very first time.

Europa League triumph will transform summer transfer window for Spurs or Red Devils

Given that either Spurs or Man United will get £50m-plus in extra revenue next season, the winner of the Europa League final will go into the summer transfer window on much surer footing.

After woeful seasons, both clubs need funds to strengthen. Without the guaranteed UEFA money, that would likely mean far more player trading, as opposed to concentrating on incoming transfers.

Spurs are 100 per cent guaranteed to pass both the Premier League and UEFA’s PSR assessments for the current campaign.

PSR infographic. Credit: Adam Williams, GRV Media

Man United will be closer to the line but are also expected to be ultimately okay.

But with liquid cash at a premium in both N17 and M16, the security of Champions League income would change everything ahead of a crucial window.

- Adam Williams

ANGE POSTECOGLOU SNAPS AT MAN UTD QUESTION AS TOTTENHAM REACH EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL

Ange Postecoglou was left fuming in his post-match press conference (Picture: Shutterstock)

Ange Postecoglou snapped at a question about Manchester United after Tottenham reached the Europa League final on Thursday night.

Postecoglou lost his cool after Spurs defeated Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt 2-0 in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash.

The result means the north London club will face Ruben Amorim’s United in the final – a side they have already beaten three times so far this season – with both teams massively struggling in the Premier League this term.

In his post-match press conference, a journalist asked the Australian head coach: ‘United have constantly said this competition won’t save their season… The manager has said it, the players have said it… Is it different for Tottenham? Would it save your season?’

Postecoglou replied: ‘I don’t care. Why should I care what Man United think? Wy is that relevant to me? Ask the United manager why he said that.

Me, I’ve said all along that this is important. You should know better than me what a trophy would do for this club. The question answers itself.

What’s happening right now is people are fearing that it actually might happenAnd they’re already trying to tear it down somehow or diminish it somehow by talking about the league form.

‘Maybe if we had United’s success, maybe I’d have a different view. I could be sitting here in fifth position and the commentary would be, “that’s great Ange but the club needs to win something” – that’s exactly what everyone would be saying.

‘Of course it’s massive, of course it is. United have got their own journey to go on and maybe if they go 15 years without winning anything they’ll change their perspective on things as well.’

Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League table with just three games left, while United are one spot above them in 15th.

Tottenham’s last major trophy came in 2008 when they defeated Chelsea in the final of the League Cup, currently known as the Carabao Cup.

Quizzed further about the upcoming Europa League final against United, Postecoglou added: ‘It’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it!

‘The debate’s now raging, the latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they’re just going to take a team photo because we’re not worthy.

‘I mean, who cares if we’re struggling in the league? Why is that important? If it’s so easy to get to a final, then why doesn’t everyone who finishes in the top three do it? It’s a separate thing.

- Liam Grace

MANCHESTER UNITED MAKE IT INTO THE FINAL OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE

 

ARSENE WENGER CALLS FOR MAN UNITED OR TOTTENHAM TO BE STRIPPED OF A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACE NEXT SEASON AND REQUESTS EUROPA LEAGUE RULE CHANGE

• Manchester United and Tottenham are set to meet in the Europa League final 

• The winner of that showdown will secure a spot in the Champions League 

Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United or Tottenham should not be allowed to compete in the Champions League next season even if they win the Europa League.

United and Spurs are set to meet in the final in Bilbao on May 21 after securing aggregate leads heading into this week's semi-final second leg ties.

Ruben Amorim's side thrashed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the away leg while Spurs beat Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt 3-1 to move a step closer to a first trophy since 2008. 

However, both clubs are now guaranteed to finish outside of the Premier League's European qualification spots - with United 15th and Spurs in 16th.

UEFA changed its rules in 2014 to allow the winners of the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League, but Wenger believes this is 'not right'. 

Former Arsenal boss Wenger told BeIN Sports: 'No. They should qualify automatically for the Europa League but not necessarily for the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger says Europa League winners should not qualify for the Champions League

Manchester United and Tottenham are set to face off in the final in Bilbao on May 21

Wenger believes a rule change is needed so that the winners remain in the competition again

'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.

'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 [Champions League].' 

Since the rebranding of the Europa League, UEFA's second biggest continental club competition, in 2009-10, no team lower than 12th has reached the final or won it.

Sevilla, 12th in LaLiga, lifted the trophy in 2023 while Fulham, who also finished 12th in the Premier League in the 2009-10 campaign, lost the final to Atletico Madrid in 2010.

United won the Europa League in 2018 during Jose Mourinho's first season in charge and qualified for the Champions League despite finishing in sixth place. 

Speaking after his side's 4-3 defeat by Brentford on Sunday, their 16th league loss of the season, Amorim admitted his focus is now solely on Europe. 

'I think it's stressful to lose games,' said Amorim. '[But] when we're fighting for a title it's not stressful. I have no doubts that we are playing better and we are understanding the way we play, even in this context.

Ruben Amorim placed all his eggs in one basket after United's horror Premier League campaign

Ange Postecoglou is in the same situation as he looks to secure Spurs' first trophy since 2008

United won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2016 to reach the Champions League

'So we have to take all the hits in this moment. 

'We are losing games in the Premier League, but we are fighting for the Europa League so we need to accept that and to think about Thursday now.

'This is the most important game for us.'

Wenger departed Arsenal in 2018 before being appointed FIFA's head of global football development a year later. He has proposed a raft of controversial changes, including tweaks to the offside rule and a biennial World Cup.

- DANIEL DAVIS

PRICELESS MOMENT FOR A TRUE MAN UNITED FAN | MANCHESTER UNITED 5-4 LYON | UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE