Manchester United are reportedly planning a low-key barbecue at their Carrington training ground instead of a traditional open-top bus parade if they win this season’s Europa League.
The Red Devils face Tottenham Hotspur in the final on May 21, and while a victory would secure a crucial Champions League spot, celebrations are expected to remain modest following a dire domestic campaign.
United currently sit 16th in the Premier League and are on course for their worst-ever points tally, despite an impressive European run that saw them dismantle Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
According to The Times, the club will forgo a public celebration out of respect for their underwhelming league performance and due to scheduling constraints. Amorim’s squad will host Aston Villa just four days after the final and embark on a controversial post-season tour of Asia shortly after.
The stripped-back celebration will take place 24 hours after the final, featuring only players, staff, and their families. It marks a stark contrast to United’s last public parade in 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s final league title win drew over 100,000 fans to Manchester’s streets.
Head coach Ruben Amorim defended the club’s decision to prioritize the Asia tour over fan-facing celebrations, stating:
“We have to make sacrifices. This is a small one, and it’s our way of giving back to global fans who travel to see us at Old Trafford every week.”
United will travel to Malaysia to face the ASEAN All Stars on May 28 before heading to Hong Kong for another match two days later. The timing of the tour, so soon after a potentially historic European final, has faced backlash from fans and pundits.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have yet to confirm celebration plans should they lift their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, however, emphasized the significance of the occasion:
“It could be a turning point—not just in how we’re perceived, but how we perceive ourselves as a club.”
As United and Spurs prepare for a high-stakes clash in Bilbao, one club may mark the occasion with a citywide celebration—while the other keeps the champagne on ice behind closed doors.
Poll:
Who will win the Europa League?
🔘 Manchester United
🔘 Tottenham