Manchester United only have one more shot at a trophy this season, but Gary Neville and Roy Keane were diametrically opposed over whether victory in the Europa League would turn this disappointing campaign into a success.
Currently 13th in the Premier League and out of both the FA and Carabao Cups, Man United have had a season to forget so far, and are now only really fighting on one front – the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim and Co have drawn Lyon in a far from straight-forward tie, too, the first leg of which will get underway on Thursday evening in the French city.
While on the surface the competition represents a good chance to win a bit of silverware and boost morale at the club, there is also the arguably more important boon of Champions League qualification.
The Red Devils have almost no chance of playing in Europe next term without winning the Europa League, meaning a huge blow to the financials, and therefore less chance of acquiring the calibre of player that can help them return any time soon.
For Neville, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, the acclaim earned by lifting a trophy would be enough to attribute some success to this thus far underwhelming season at Old Trafford.
Gary Neville (left) believes that winning the Europa League will be enough to ensure success, but fellow United legend Roy Keane (right) was having none of it
Ruben Amorim’s side will take on Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday
‘The reason I’d say it’ll be successful is because United couldn’t win the league this season, we knew that right from the start, so they could only win three trophies – the FA Cup, League Cup, and the Europa League.
‘If they won one of them, I’d say that’s successful. There is a big but – they’ve sacked a manager and are 13th in the league and that is bad.’
Keane however was not swayed by the allure of silverware, and maintained that it would not remove the taint of disappointment.
‘Not that trophy, no. Not for Manchester United, maybe for other teams winning that trophy,’ the former captain claimed, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
‘There is a plus to it because it’ll get them into the Champions League, but the trophy and that competition shouldn’t be enough for United, absolutely not.’
United have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, initially under Erik ten Hag and latterly Amorim.
They failed to win any of their first three games in the Europa League, which promised a far from routine route through the competition, before an up-turn in form guided them safely through to the Last-16 with no need for the play-offs.
In fact, while the domestic campaign has been up and down throughout, United are yet to lose in Europe, winning six of their games and drawing four.
Manchester United will face a fiercely uphill battle if they are to finish in the European spots
Amorim’s side have only beaten Man City of the traditional top six teams in the Premier League
As Neville points out, though, the league campaign has been impossible to ignore for the club.
While they have beaten Man City, and also secured draws with the Citizens, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, being in the bottom half of the table would scarcely have even crossed their minds prior to the campaign.
There have been some natural teething issues expected after the arrival of a new head coach who plays the game a very different way to his predecessor.
But approaching one of their most important transfer windows in recent times seemingly without playing an exciting brand of football that might draw the eye of some of the game’s best talents will likely have a knock-on effect.
Following Thursday’s game against Lyon, they also face the tough task of taking on Newcastle before welcoming the French side back home to Old Trafford.
They will then face Wolves, Bournemouth and Brentford – three potentially vital games in their bid to secure an unlikely top seven spot.