Arsene Wenger has urged UEFA to ‘review’ Champions League qualification rules ahead of a probably Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham.
The 2025 Europa League final looks set to be an all-English affair between United and Spurs – two sides sitting in the bottom-half of the Premier League table.
Manchester United thumped ten-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie, while Tottenham beat Bodo-Glimt 3-1 to put one foot in the May 21 final.
The winner of the Europa League will automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League under UEFA rules but Wenger disagrees with the policy.
Since 2014 the Europa League winners have been given a spot in the following season’s Champions League but ex-Arsenal manager Wenger says this is ‘not right’.
The guidelines mean one of Manchester United and Tottenham, sitting 15th and 16th in the Premier League respectively, will likely be back in the Champions League next year.
Asked if it was ‘right’ for the winners of the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League, Wenger told beIN SPORTS: ‘No – they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League.
‘Especially when you’re in the Premier League where already five teams qualify. I think it’s something [for UEFA] to think about and to review.
‘On the other hand people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize [of qualifying for the Champions League].’
The San Mames Stadium in Bilbao has been slated to host the Europa League final on May 24.
But with two English teams likely competing in the showpiece event, many fans have questioned whether the game should be switched to a venue more accommodating to fans of both clubs.
According to the BBC, however, UEFA have no plans to change the venue with the 51,000 home of Bilbao to stage the game, regardless of who makes it to the final.
Champions League and World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if his former club Manchester United went on to win the competition.
United put underwhelming domestic form to one side in 2018 when they won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
‘Manchester United is a club that knows how to win, even when the odds are stacked against them,” Schweinsteiger told Flashscore.
‘This season has had its ups and downs, but in Europe, knockout football is about mentality and heritage. United has that in their DNA.
‘I am happy and pleased that United won the first leg, but it is not done yet, the second leg is coming, this season is very tough for United. Obviously they have had some struggles.
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‘The match against Athletic impressed me a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go all the way and lift the Europa League trophy. It’s about picking the form at the right time.’
Manchester United’s dismal Premier League campaign continued on Sunday as Ruben Amorim’s side were beaten 4-3 by Brentford.
Athletic Bilbao, sitting fourth in La Liga, shared a goalless draw with Real Sociedad.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with London rivals West Ham, while Bodo-Glimt had the weekend off.
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