Manchester United will reportedly be in a difficult financial situation if they fail to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League.
The Red Devils finished eighth in last season's Premier League, but they did manage to secure a spot in the 2024-25 Europa League due to their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City.
According to The Sun, securing a return to the Champions League for next season is imperative for the club, as they would face 'huge financial challenges' if there is another campaign away from Europe's main competition.
The report claims that Man United's partnership with Adidas includes a clause which would see them have a 30% reduction in annual payments if they miss out on Champions League football in successive campaigns.
Meanwhile, the club would also have to accept further losses in terms of revenue, demonstrating the importance, from both a sporting and financial point of view, of returning to the Champions League for next term.
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Man United are under pressure to return to Champions League
Triumphing in the Europa League could be Man United's best chance of returning to the Champions League for next season considering their domestic struggles.
Indeed, the 20-time English champions are currently down in 13th spot in the Premier League table, having only picked up seven points from their opening six games of the campaign.
Erik ten Hag's side are already six points off the top four, and their next match in England's top flight is away to Aston Villa, who will also be expecting to push for a top-four finish this term.
Man United will be in Europa League action away to Porto on Thursday evening, and it is believed that a loss in that match, in addition to a poor result against Villa, could see Ten Hag lose his job.
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Will Man United qualify for next season's Champions League?
At this moment in time, it is difficult to imagine Man United claiming a top-four spot in the Premier League, but it is not impossible, as there is still an awful lot of football to be played this term.
The Red Devils certainly have the players to push for a Champions League spot, and a run of positive results cannot be ruled out, while there is still confidence within the club that it is achievable this season.
However, winning the Europa League could represent their best avenue, and despite their issues this term, the team should be considered among the favourites for the competition.
There have been positive signs since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS entered Old Trafford, but there is still a lot of work to be done if the club are to become challengers for the major trophies once again.
Matt Law
