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MAN UNITED WILL NOT PLAY IN EUROPE NEXT SEASON AFTER LOSING THE EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR. 07:00, 22 May 2025 Rio Ferdinand expects Manchester United's plans for this
summer's transfer window "to be scrapped" following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. Brennan Johnson's first half goal was enough to
settle what was a poor contest at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, meaning Spurs clinched their first trophy since 2008. For United, it means they will end the campaign without a trophy and
will be without European football next season. Champions League qualification is, of course, part of the prize for winning the Europa League. Had United come out on top in Bilbao, the
feeling was securing Champions League qualification would have gone a long way to boosting this summer's recruitment drive and speeding up the process of Ruben Amorim's rebuild.
However, Ferdinand believes the recruitment plans United would have drawn up in preparation for being back in the Champions League next season will now be defunct. "I think that
recruitment list that they had if they had won it, that has got to be scrapped now because they are not going to have Champions League football to compete in," Ferdinand told TNT
Sports. "It will be interesting to see how it goes in the summer. I think there will be a new set of players that they have to go and recruit. "There are certain players who are
not just going to think about Manchester United's badge and history; they are going to think, 'I have only got a short career, maybe I have only got another couple of years at the
top, and I want Champions League football. If Man United haven't got it, it doesn't matter what happens'." Alongside Ferdinand for TNT Sports was former Tottenham and
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, who said United may benefit from a season without participating in Europe. He said: "I think this manager, not having European football, will have time
on the training pitch now. "In hindsight, it is not a terrible thing for Man United, as this manager now will have a platform to stamp his style of play on the club and give him
time." _Here at the Manchester Evening News, we're dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis._ _Make sure you don't miss out on the latest
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