Roy Keane and Gary Neville have clashed over whether Manchester United winning the Europa League would constitute a successful season for the club.
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United face Lyon in quarter-finalSit 13th in Premier League tableOnly chance to qualify for Champions LeagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Stick to Football panel debated whether a Europa League win would represent a successful season for Manchester United, with differing views on the matter. Whereas Keane believes that United cannot paper over the cracks, Neville has claimed that United qualifying for the Champions League would mask a multitude of sins.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
United sit 13th in the Premier League table and are 15 points behind the top four. As a result, the Europa League offers their last hope to qualify for Europe's premier club competition.
WHAT KEANE AND NEVILLE SAID
Keane said that United should not be targeting just the Europa League. He said: “Not that trophy, no.
“Not for Manchester United, maybe for other teams winning that trophy. There is a plus to it, because it’ll get them into the Champions League, but the trophy and that competition shouldn’t be enough for United, absolutely not.”
Neville disagreed, replying: “The reason I’d say it’ll be successful is because United couldn’t win the league this season, we knew that right from the start. So they could only win three trophies – the FA Cup, League Cup and the Europa League. If they won one of them, I’d say that’s successful.
“There is a big ‘but’ – they’ve sacked a manager and are 13th in the league and that’s bad.”
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
United face Lyon on Thursday. They will then play Newcastle this weekend before the second leg at Old Trafford.