Man Utd fans ignored as Ratcliffe plans for Europa League celebrations revealed

Manchester United’s season reaches its climax with the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur but there will be no parade if they win.

While victory would deliver a third trophy in as many seasons and, crucially, a return to the Champions League, the club’s celebrations will be notably understated.

Unlike Tottenham, who are expected to hold a parade if they win, United have scrapped plans for an open-top bus parade through Manchester.

Instead, the club will mark any potential triumph with a private barbecue at their Carrington training ground for players, staff, and families.

United have not staged a trophy parade since their 2013 Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson. Since then, despite winning the Europa League, League Cup, and two FA Cups, the club has opted against large-scale public celebrations.

The decision this year is shaped by a packed schedule: United face Aston Villa at Old Trafford in their final league game just days after the final, then immediately depart for a post-season tour of Asia with matches in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

Many players are then due to join their national teams for international fixtures, making a city-wide parade logistically impossible, according to reports.

Organising a parade would be particularly difficult this season. After the final, United’s fixture list remains congested, and players will have little time before reporting for international duty.

For example, Portugal’s Nations League semi-final against Germany on June 4 could feature Bruno Fernandes and possibly Diogo Dalot, while World Cup qualifiers in South America and Europe begin in early June.

As a result, the club has decided to limit player ticket allocations for the final and focus on a more intimate celebration at Carrington.

Manager Ruben Amorim has been clear that while winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League would be “huge” for United, it will not solve the club’s underlying problems.

“Everybody knows it’s really important for our season [but] we know nothing is going to save our season,” Amorim said.

He emphasised that the club needs consistency, smart recruitment, and a renewed academy focus to return to the top, noting, “Europa League will not change our problems – it’s going to give us Champions League next year, more money to spend, but the problems are still there”1.

If United triumph in Bilbao, fans should not expect a city-wide parade. Instead, the club will celebrate quietly at Carrington, reflecting both a demanding schedule and a recognition from Amorim and the club’s leadership that deeper changes are needed for long-term success