This isn't something I thought I was going to see today and it's one of those stories that you would think came from one of those troll accounts.
But no, this is coming in from The Times.
They are saying that if United manage to beat Spurs and win the Europa League, instead of having the traditional open-bus parade through the streets, the club will have a barbecue at Carrington!
I've read this so many times but I still can't believe it.
This is thought to be part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures as the INEOS Chairman continues to go to the absolute extremes to save money at the club.
I understand that we are struggling financially but this? A bloody barbecue should we win arguably the most important trophy in our recent history and the first under INEOS? They should go all out to celebrate it because of the poor campaign we've had. This will salvage something even if it won't truly paper over the cracks at the club.
A fucking barbecue 🤣🤦♂️. Only at our club, ey?
At least the players and staff will be invited it. It's weird that this has to be said.
Before we even get to this barbie (if there is to be one), more cost-cutting will take place ahead of the final as players have a two free-ticket limit. On top of this, the players themselves will have to organize how their friends and family are to arrive at the stadium and how to depart the San Mames.
The club staff will also NOT be given free tickets for the final. 15 000 tickets were given to both United and Spurs for the crapdown in Bilbao with Spurs doing the oppositie to us and paying for their staff's tickets.
Why are United saying no? It's because they sold all those allotted tickets to supporters instead. The Daily Mail, which is where this news is coming from, have also stated that the club will be holding a screening of the final for their staff with them being able to bring a plus one. But only two free drinks will be given to the member of staff while their plus one will have to pay.
Final Thoughts
It's incredible to think that this is true. I also thought they had all these leaks on lockdown. I'm guessing it's a leak because why would you want it known that this is how you're going to cleberate a potential Europa League triumph?
At this point, don't even celebrate it. Just do nothing. Maybe just parade the trophy at Old Trafford before and after the final league game against Villa on 25 May.
I know that we don't want to be winning the Europa League because we'd rather be in the Champions League but as we're in this competition, of course we want to win it. More than that, the importance of lifting this trophy is paramount. The near future is counting on it, sort of.
In order for United to get better, we need better players and we need to remove current ones. To attract the best, you need CL football which is what winning the EL will give to you. You make more money by winning it and playing in the CL which means you can buy these players and give you a better chance of removing those not good enough.
INEOS also have plans such as winning the league in 2028 and opening a new circus I mean stadium, in 2030. How are we going to achieve those things in years to come without success now?
This will also be INEOS' first trophy and do they really want to celebrate it with a barbecue?
As for the not paying for staff tickets thing, that is just pathetic. With the amount of staff they've sacked, there's probably like 20 of them left anyway. And to say that they're giving it to fans is even worse.
We know that this is because they can't afford to pay for these staff tickets so any other excuse won't be believed. To use the fans as a way to get themselves out of this is seriously low. Fools will beleive that the club are looking out for supporters and think that they feel United think the supporters are more important than the staff.
Even for the players to have to organize travel plans for their families and are only given two free tickets is another example of just how badly run we are.
The players are more than wealthy enough to pay for these things but when they have a final to focus on, the last thing they'll be worried about are travel plans.
There is a decent amount of division with this (as ever with United fans). Some are saying that we shouldn't be celebrating the victory should we win as it is just the Europa League and the overall campaign has been a complete disaster.
Others like myself, can't believe that this is the way to celebrate that potential win. I suppose given what has happened with INEOS so far in terms of all the cost-cutting measures, this shouldn't be much of a surprise. However, it is still embarrassing all the same.
As I said though, I would just parade the trophy whilst the players walk around Old Trafford to thank fans for their support over the course of the season.
Or just do nothing. That is perhaps the best option.
I'm just finding this hard to believe. Yes there are financial struggles and maybe an open bus parade for the Europa League is a bit much but surely something more than a barbecue can be done?
To be honest though, I doubt many would give a shit because of the appaling season we've had. I think just winning it is all we ask for at this point.
Man Utd having a barbecue if they win the Europa League 😂😂😂. That's hilarious even as a United fan 😭😭😭.
Ruben Amorim and his Man Utd squad will have to settle for barbecue at Carrington should they win the Europa League