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Manchester United Could Enter The History Books With Victory, Tonight

Manchester United Could Enter The History Books With Victory, Tonight

The club's first Europa League final gives them the chance to join an elite group

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

While thinking about a football match in the current climate may seem pointless, the Europa League final will be contested in Stockholm tonight between Ajax and Manchester United and for United, the game offers them a chance to join an elite group.

Tonight will mark United's first appearance in a Europa League/UEFA Cup final and Europe's secondary competition is the only European trophy the Red Devils are yet to win.

United have lifted the Champions League/European Cup on three occasions, in 1968, 1999 and 2008 while they also defeated Barcelona in Rotterdam in 1991 to win the now sadly defunct Cup Winner's Cup.

Should Jose Mourinho's men emerge victorious from their clash with Ajax this evening, it will mean all three of Europe's major trophies have made their way to Old Trafford. Winning all three is a feat managed by only four clubs in history.

Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and this evening's opponents Ajax are the only other four teams who have completed the continental treble.

Vialli Zola
Vialli Zola

Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli lift the 1998 Cup Winner's Cup for Chelsea. A year later, the tournament would be cancelled. Image: PA

The impressive accomplishment is one that cannot be matched by any other English team apart from Tottenham, who lifted the Cup Winner's Cup in 1963 before winning two UEFA Cups, in 1972 and 1984 and Arsenal, who have a solitary Cup Winner's Cup to their name, defeating Parma in the 1994 final thanks to an Alan Smith goal.


Alan Smith
Alan Smith

Alan Smith fires home the winner against Parma in Arsenal's only European triumph. Image: PA

Victory tonight would also secure United a place in next season's Champions League, which is vital for the club after spending a second season in three outside of the competition this term and not having secured qualification for next year's tournament due to a sixth place finish in the Premier League.

Rashford
Rashford

Can Marcus Rashford help United write their names into the history books, tonight? Image: PA

Mourinho's team are favourites against their youthful Dutch opponents, tonight, but have hardly convinced in previous rounds against Celta Vigo, Anderlecht and Rostov.

(H/T The Mirror)


Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Europa League, Manchester United