Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, Champions League, Europa League, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, Champions League, Europa League, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Football
Legendary manager Arsene Wenger has explained why Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur should not be allowed to play in the Champions League next season, even if one of them wins the Europa League.
United and Spurs are one step away from reaching the Europa League final as they hold healthy leads over Athletic Club and Bodo/Glimt respectively.
Both teams have endured a dismal season in the Premier League but could still end it on a high by securing Champions League football through winning the Europa League.
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There could be a real possibility that six Premier Legaue teams will be in next season's Champions League.
However, former Arsenal boss Wenger has called on UEFA to review their rules about rewarding the Europa League winners with a place in the Champions League, which was first introduced in 2014.
He said on beIN Sports: "They should qualify automatically for the Europa League but not necessarily for the Champions League.
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"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."
Wenger continued: "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]."
As reported by the Daily Mail, no team below 12th place in their domestic league has reached the final or won the competition.
Back in 2023, Sevilla were 12th in the La Liga table when they won the trophy.
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Currently, United are 15th in the Premier League table after collecting just 39 points from 35 matches. Meanwhile, Spurs are in 16th on 38 points.
Speaking ahead of the second leg against Athletic Club, Ruben Amorim admitted that his team's only focus is on the Europa League.
He said: "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."