Manchester United's sobering defeat in the Europa League final means the club face challenges with recruiting players, while Liverpool could potentially dictate who Ruben Amorim targets
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot Head Coach of Liverpool on the piotych befor the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot's cast-offs in the transfer market are believed to be interesting Man United
(Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)
As the final whistle blew at San Mames Stadium on Wednesday evening, Tottenham Hotspur were crowned Europa League champions, leaving Manchester United to face a stark new reality when it comes to their pulling power. The Red Devils were lacklustre and uninspired as they allowed Spurs to secure their first major trophy since 2008.
The narrow 1-0 victory also gave Ange Postecoglou the bonus of Champions League football for the upcoming season. Ruben Amorim's side will now finish the 2024/2025 season without any silverware, and there is a genuine risk that they could end up as low as 17th in the table if this Sunday's results don't go in their favour.
While United frantically try to avoid embarrassment on the Premier League's final day, just a few miles up the East Lancs Road, Liverpool will be hoisting aloft their 20th top-flight trophy.
The potential implications for United's appeal in the transfer market are largely unprecedented. With no European football to offer, coupled with the financial consequences of Wednesday's defeat, even the most devoted United fans will find themselves worried.
Liverpool, on the other hand, appear ready to take their place at Europe's top table when it comes to transfers, leaving the Red Devils to pick up the scraps, reports the Mirror.
It's been reported that United have joined the race to sign Lyon winger Rayan Cherki. The 21-year-old French star was initially on Arne Slot's radar, but it seems Liverpool have shifted their focus to one of Europe's most sought-after players in the form of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, who certainly won't be a bargain.
LYON, FRANCE - MAY 4: Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyon looks on during the France Ligue 1 match between Olympique Lyonnais and Racing Club de Lens at Groupama Stadium on May 4, 2025 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Rayan Cherki is reportedly being looked at by United(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
The fact that United are now pursuing players that their fiercest rivals have turned their nose up at will be a hard truth for the Old Trafford faithful to accept. Yet it's just another blow to suck up as they watch Liverpool reclaim the perch that Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed he'd knocked them off.
Slot's success this season has also seen Liverpool amass a total of 47 major trophies in England, making them the country's most successful club, while United lag behind with 44 – a waking nightmare for those on the red side of Manchester.
However, despite their current struggles, they remain United in name and good players will come. United are reportedly confident of signing Wolves playmaker Matheus Cunha for £62.5million and have shown strong interest in Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
Bayer Leverkusen duo Jeremie Frimpong Florian Wirtz.
Bayer Leverkusen duo Jeremie Frimpong Florian Wirtz could both be headed to Liverpool if reports are to be believed
Ahead of their Europa League final defeat, Amorim confirmed that the club had a backup plan in place should they lose, but he didn't shy away from what defeat would ultimately mean.
"We have two plans even for the market," he said. "And we need to understand that is tough for a club like us not to be in the Champions League."
Despite Bayern Munich's strong interest in Wirtz, Liverpool might have to break their transfer record fee to secure his services at Anfield. The German outfit's asking price of around £125 million, complete with the player's wage demands, are thought to have forced Manchester City to walk away from any deal.
Yet even if Wirtz remains elusive, Liverpool closing in on the signing of Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong while being linked with players such as Atletico Madrid's Julien Alvarez and Bournemouth's exciting left-back Milos Kerkez should send shockwaves through United.
There is clear reason to believe that the changing of the guard, from the Red Devils to the Reds, is perhaps here to stay for some time.