Manchester United are focusing on their huge Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday, knowing the outcome will have massive consequences for their summer spending ahead of next season
It’s all or nothing for Manchester United’s season as they bid for a shot at glory ahead of the Europa League final. Ruben Amorim’s side will take on Premier League rivals Tottenham hoping to end their disastrous season with silverware after jetting out to Bilbao for Wednesday’s showpiece.
United come into the final in woeful form after winning just one of their last eight games, a run that has featured six defeats and two draws – with Amorim’s men still 16th in the Premier League table.
Their opponents Spurs aren’t in much better form after sinking to 17th after one win in seven, with five defeats in six and it should be a competitive final.
The result could have huge consequences for United’s summer of spending knowing that victory will put them in next season’s Champions League – allowing them to target a higher calibre of player – while defeat will leave them without Europe entirely.
Mirror Football has taken a look at the biggest Manchester United transfer news in the run up to Wednesday’s huge final in Bilbao.
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Neville hails Cunha deal
The first deal United look to have got over the line is Wolves star Matheus Cunha, who wants to join Old Trafford regardless of whether they’re playing in the Champions League next season.
Cunha has a £63million release clause in his contract at Molineux and its understood United are close to agreeing a deal to sign the forward.
The Brazilian has scored 15 times in the Premier League and is now attracting interest from some big times – including Liverpool and Arsenal.
But with United now closing in on a move for the player, Neville has talked up his ability up front and said the club were “desperate” for someone of his calibre.
“Man United are desperate in that position,” he told Sky Sports. “You think of what Manchester United are playing now, they’ve let Jadon Sancho go, they’ve let (Marcus) Rashford go, they’ve let Antony go, so three players who are natural players who travel with the ball.
“They need someone who can beat players, they need someone who’s equally as good running through the middle with the ball and travelling with the ball, and go out wide and support the wing-back.
“So he’s [Cunha] a type of player that you could see Manchester United being interested in, that would suit this system that Ruben Amorim wants to play.”
David warned over United move
Another forward United are being linked with is Jonathan David – and that would be a slightly more straight forward move as he’s available on a free transfer.
David is set to leave Lille for nothing this summer after yet another superb season in front of goal. He’s netted 25 times in all competitions and has confirmed he will depart at the end of the season.
United will hope to among the frontrunners to sign him as they look to further upgrade their forward line in the wake of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s timid displays.
But his Canada national team boss Jesse Marsch has urged the player to pick a club where he will play often and compete for trophies.
“Knowing Johnny, he is going to want to play,” Marsch said. “He’s going to want to go to the best club he can be at. And I think achieve the most in terms of what it would mean to compete for trophies in Europe. But he’s going to want to play as well.
“And I think that’s important. I think the most important thing for him is, it’s not good if he goes somewhere and then he has to play on the bench a lot and not get minutes to keep himself sharp and fit and ready to go, especially with the World Cup being a year away.
“I don’t even think Johnny really knows quite yet what that is, but I’m sure he’ll make a good decision. We’re hopeful that he can be with us this summer. But more importantly, we want him to be in a good situation, so that the next year that he has under his belt really leads him into the 2026 World Cup in a good way.”
Gyokeres hopes hinge on Europa success
Making up a trio of attacking targets, you could argue that Amorim’s dream signing would be his former Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, but this would probably be the most challenging deal to get over the line.
The Sweden international is one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards after his ridiculous goalscoring efforts this season, netting 53 goals in 51 games in all competitions and he looks likely to win the European Golden Shoe this season.
Amorim is a big reason for Gyokeres’ top performances over the last two seasons with Lisbon and he would certainly take United to the next level if he did join.
But it’s understood the player would be desperate to play in the Champions League next season, so his move to Old Trafford would hinge on whether the team can win the Europa League on Wednesday night.
If they are defeated by Tottenham, then Arsenal would likely take the lead in the race for Gyokeres – having earmarked him as their main transfer target this summer.
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