Cash-Strapped United Chase Euro Salvation

They hope to keep Europa League hopes alive with tie against Sociedad finely poised

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LONDON - Manchester United's financial crisis, which was exposed by minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe this week, has heaped more pressure on Ruben Amorim's men to deliver Europa League glory and a return to Champions League revenue next season.

The Red Devils host Real Sociedad on March 13 with their last-16 tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw in Spain last week.

United currently languish in a lowly 14th in the English Premier League, meaning their hopes of salvaging a miserable season depend on European glory.

Ahead of announcing plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium to replace Old Trafford, Ratcliffe on March 11 defended the ruthless cost-cutting he has implemented throughout the club during his first year in charge.

United have not yet detailed how they plan to finance the reported £2 billion (S$3.45 billion) cost of the new stadium.

In February, the club announced that up to 200 further redundancies were anticipated after 250 jobs were cut in 2024.

Ratcliffe claimed that United would have "run out of money at Christmas if we don't do those things" in a series of media interviews.