LEADERS NEED TO STAND TALL

Pallister calls on United star men to step up in Bilbao

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

GARY PALLISTER is calling on Manchester United's leaders to step up in Bilbao and rescue something from their sorry season.

But whatever unfolds in tomorrow's Europa League final, he hopes a squad overhaul this summer will result in a team “willing to show up in every game, not just in some”.

Pallister knows nothing should deflect from United's Premier League horror show, having lost 18 of their 37 games to date.

Going into Sunday's final round of league games, United are 16th in the table with tomorrow's European opponents Tottenham one spot below them, after losing 21 times.

But while Pallister is hugely frustrated by their domestic struggles, he feels a European trophy and a route back into the Champions League cannot be sniffed at.

Speaking to Star Sport, Pallister said: “It would be huge to get into the Champions League as it attracts players and gives us a bigger war chest for the summer.

“It's a huge fillip for the fans if we can do that, even if there's a touch of apprehension about playing in the Champions League next year.

“Winning the Europa League doesn't really save the season because we've hit depths that we've not seen since my first season at Manchester United.

“That was in 1989/90 and we were saved by the FA Cup in the end. It was great to get a trophy as we knew it could lead onto better things.

“But in the cold light of day we weren't good enough in the league (United finished 13th) and that's where you judge your team.”