Why finishing sixth remains vital for Man Utd on the final day of the Premier League season

When the respective line-ups emerged for the Europa League and Europa Conference League semi-finals last month, there was a suggestion that the latter was in fact, the better quartet.

There were two former European champions in Marseille and Feyenoord, Leicester City - a side who finished fifth in each of the last two Premier League seasons, and then Jose Mourinho’s Roma who have a storied past when it comes to European competition.

Meanwhile Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig and West Ham United - who contested the Europa League semi-finals - don’t have the same pedigree as those who competed in Uefa’s third-tier tournament.

Perhaps, a few wondered, are the two tournaments much of a muchness? Does it really matter, if sides miss out on the Champions League, which competition they play in? But for Manchester United in 2022/23, it really does…

Who will finish sixth?

Firstly, let’s get the basics out of the way, a win for United on the final day of the season will ensure they finish sixth and end up in the Europa League next term.

But West Ham’s significantly better goal difference means they will move into the final Europa League spot ahead of the Red Devils should they win away to Brighton & Hove Albion and Ralf Rangnick’s side fail to win.

Given United’s form over the latter stages of the season, it is a very real possibility they slip up at Selhurst Park, and trying to end the campaign on some form of a high note is important.

With Erik ten Hag in attendance against Palace, a win under the gaze of their new manager would also be an excellent way for the players to introduce themselves.

No shame in the Europa League

A quick glance through the recent winners of the Europa League demonstrates the quality that are usually involved in this competition.

Villarreal claimed the crown in 2021 and went on to make it to the Champions League semi-finals this season.

Sevilla, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and United themselves are the four clubs who won it prior to Villarreal, while the likes of Barcelona, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund played in this year’s edition.

The point is, good teams often end up in the Europa League as one off season or bad Champions League group campaign can see sides slip into the second tier of European clubs.

But the Conference League has a very different feel to it, and this season’s group stage contained plenty of clubs the average football fan has never heard of. Do any United fans fancy an away day to Alashkert, Flora, Jablonec, Lincoln Red Imps or Kairat in the autumn?

The reality, sadly for clubs who end up in that tournament, is that the Conference League was designed for teams who struggle to compete with the powers of Europe’s top leagues, while the Europa League remains a consolation prize for sides who just miss out on the Champions League.

Upholding a proud reputation

It might feel reactionary, but in the banter era of social media, where there’s often more interest in poking fun at rivals than celebrating your own club’s triumphs, United playing in the third tier of European competition would be a nightmare.

The Red Devils are still seen as one of the world’s biggest teams along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich - imagine any of those playing in the Conference League.

The odd season in the Europa League feels like par for the course for most of Europe’s top sides, but playing a level below demonstrates an even more dramatic slide, one never actually seen by the globe’s biggest clubs.

There’s also the stigma in English football with the name ‘Conference’ which for so many years denoted non-league football, a standard that wasn’t fully professional.

While the naming of the competition may not affect Ten Hag, attracting players to partake in the third level of continental football just might. Perhaps the Dutchman’s project could seem that bit less attractive when it comes with a side order of Europa Conference League.

More than just reputationally, there’s a genuine schedule impact of the competition, with the seventh-place club in the Premier League facing a two-legged qualifier in August, whereas the sides who finish fifth and sixth progress straight to the Europa League group stage.

So, while some fans may shrug their shoulders at the prospect of playing in any competition below the Champions League, beating Palace on Sunday carries real significance for Ten Hag, United’s players and fans, as well as their recruitment policy this summer.