It’s not just the prospect of silverware motivating Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United side to win the Europa League this season. Next month, the Red Devils face Lyon in their two-legged quarter-final tie, knowing a defeat will leave them with little to play for, given that they lie 13th in the Premier League table.
Regardless of how his side fares in Europe, Amorim is expected to overhaul his squad this summer. A number of new signings are expected, although player sales will be needed to offset costs given the club’s precarious financial position. The Portuguese boss is reportedly lining up Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as one of his primary targets.
The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, while there has even been speculation over a switch across Merseyside to Liverpool. His form has been critical to Everton’s resurgence under David Moyes, and the centre-back was considered a surprise omission from Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
However, The Toffees lie just two points behind Amorim’s side in the league. According to The Sun, Branthwaite will only consider a move to United, who are said to be prepared to pay in excess of £50million, if they can offer him Champions League football next season.
The only way United can qualify for Europe’s elite competition is by winning the Europa League. Even if they finish runners-up to a team already qualified through their own domestic league, that won’t be sufficient for a place.
The club last played in the Champions League in the 2023/24 season, where they failed to advance out of the group stages under Erik ten Hag. Their last Europa League victory came in 2016/17 under Jose Mourinho, while his successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, oversaw a final defeat on penalties against Villarreal.
Branthwaite’s apparent conditions heap further pressure on Amorim and his team to be in Bilbao on May 21. Ironically, Tottenham have also been linked, whose season also appears to hinge on the competition ahead of their last-eight tie with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Carlisle United youth product joined Everton in 2019 before loan spells at Blackburn and PSV Eindhoven. He’s now made 78 appearances for the club, and last year was voted their 2024/25 Players' Player and Supporters' Young Player of the Season.