A Quiet Gathering Without Fanfare
Manchester United’s Surprising Decision: No Celebration for Potential Europa League Win!
Manchester United has decided not to hold a victory parade or celebration ceremony if they win the Europa League.
According to reports, Manchester United, after a disastrous Premier League season where they sit 16th in the table—their worst-ever finish—could still end Ricardo Sá Pinto’s first season in charge on a high note if they defeat Tottenham on May 21 to win the Europa League and secure a Champions League spot for next season.
Under Sá Pinto, United has only managed to defeat relegation-threatened Leicester and Ipswich in the Premier League since February, a dismal record for a club of United’s stature. However, their European campaign has been a different story, with a 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao putting them on the brink of a historic moment.
Despite this, The Times reports that even if United wins against Tottenham, their long-suffering fans will not be able to celebrate with the players. Instead of a grand parade, the club has opted for a simple, family-friendly gathering—similar to the post-Bilbao barbecue at their Carrington training ground—with players, coaching staff, and their families.
This decision is largely due to United’s packed end-of-season schedule. Sá Pinto’s team faces Aston Villa just three days after the Europa League final on May 25 to conclude their Premier League campaign. Immediately after, the squad will travel to Malaysia for a match against an ASEAN select team on May 28, followed by another game in Hong Kong two days later.
This post-season Asian tour has drawn widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, especially since United’s last major public celebration was in 2013 when Sir Alex Ferguson led them to their 20th Premier League title, drawing over 100,000 fans to the streets of Manchester.