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LONDON, May 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Gary Neville has said Manchester United do
not deserve a parade if they win the Europa League on Wednesday.
Ruben Amorim's side face fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur
in Bilbao as they bid to win United's first European trophy since they lifted
the same cup in 2017.
Victory would also see United qualify for next season's Champions League
despite a dire domestic season.
An open-top bus parade through a city after winning a major football trophy
is now standard procedure for successful English football clubs, with
delirious fans lining the streets in celebration.
But former United and England defender Neville, speaking to the Stick to
Football podcast, said: "If Manchester United win, they'll celebrate a trophy
but there will be a cautious celebration tomorrow (Thursday) -- not by the
fans, though, because they'll obviously go crazy.
"Their interviews will be along the lines of them saying that they're so
happy and delighted for the fans, but it's been a difficult season.
"That will be the tone of it. I don't think there should be a parade through
the city for them winning the Europa League."
United are currently 16th in the Premier League table, only two places above
the relegation zone, with Spurs 17th, and are on course for their lowest
finish in the top flight since 1974, when they were relegated from the old
First Division.
Amorim's team have won only 10 of their 37 matches so far and lost 18, with
no wins in their last eight league fixtures.
The Europa League has been another matter, however, with their remarkable 7-6
aggregate win in the quarter-finals over Lyon followed by a dominant victory
over Athletic Bilbao to book a return to the Spanish city.