Manchester United have made no attempts to underplay the importance of the club qualifying for next season's Champions League. That is the prize, as well as a third trophy in as many years, if the Red Devils defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on May 21.
"I think it is about the budget when planning for next season. The Champions League can change everything," Ruben Amorim explained in April. "If you are in the Champions League, you play top teams on a Wednesday and at the weekend. This is the best thing. But we need to have the best team."
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In March, chief executive Omar Berrada said: "There's no doubt that if we qualify for the Champions League, we will have more revenues and we'll have more capacity to invest in the team.
However, Berrada insisted that measures had been put in place so that United were in a position to financially back Amorim even if they face a year away from European football.
While no Champions League involvement would be a hit from a sporting and financial perspective, it would hand the club an open goal to take desperately needed measures.
Amorim needs the freedom to transform his squad if he is to be a success at Old Trafford, having inherited a group of players who have struggled to adapt to a 3-4-3 system.
The Portuguese tactician needs recruits, that goes without saying. United can reportedly afford to outlay £92.5million on top attacking targets Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap with their base budget.
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Arrivals beyond the Premier League duo would likely rely on player sales, which should become easier to sanction with one less competition to plan for.
United last spent a season out of Europe under Louis van Gaal in 2014/15 after David Moyes' disastrous succession of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Van Gaal oversaw 17 first-team departures in his first summer as manager. His six signings included Angel di Maria, Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.
Amorim needs to be as cut-throat if United are to have a one-game-per-week schedule next season.
He currently has a senior squad of 28 players, a healthy size to deal with a European campaign that has gone the distance. That's discounting loanees.
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Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are primed to leave as free agents. Tom Heaton is also out of contract but could stay for another year.
More clearance would be required. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are surplus to requirements and should be cashed in on.
Andre Onana, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund are among other players who are considered in the shop window.
Even with Champions League football, Amorim must move some of these names on and replace them with better fits.
But an absence from exploring the continent in 2025/26 would offer the silver lining of a clearout and reset that United desperately need.