Manchester United Will Join An Elite Club List If They Win Europa League This Season
May 13, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Manchester United are on the verge of making history despite having another below par season this season. The Red Devils are set to miss out on Champions League places yet again this season after falling behind all their title rivals.
United are currently four points behind third placed Manchester City and have only three games left to play in Premier League. However, Jose Mourinho could still make it to Champions League if they manage to win their Europa League final against Ajax on May 24 at Stockholm.
A victory at Stockholm later this month will not only give them Champions League football but they could also join a set of elite clubs in entire Europe who have managed to win all the three potential UEFA competitions- European Cup, Uefa Cup/Europa League and the now defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
Only four teams have managed to win all the three competitions in the history of European football and Manchester United could become the fifth to join the list if they can manage a win against Ajax.
The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Liverpool have never been able to achieve this rare feat. While the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham, West Ham, Everton and even Aberdeen can still make history in the coming years as the possibility exists.
Here are the four clubs that have managed the feat
Juventus
The Italian giants are the most successful club in their country and have been traditional giants in European football as well. They won European Cup in 1985 after beating Liverpool and won Uefa Cup thrice.
Their only Cup Winners’ Cup triumph came in 1984.
Ajax
The Dutch giants are the second to achieve the feat after managing to win the UEFA Cup in 1992. Ajax were a revolution in football with their “Total Football” philosophy which was introduced by the greatest European footballer of all-time Johan Cruyff in the 1970s.
Ajax have won three successive European Cups in 1970s and have also managed to win 1987 Cup Winners’ Cup. They have also won 1995 Champions League trophy.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich achieved the feat in 1996 after winning Europa League. They have also won 5 champions league trophies and have lost another 5 champions league finals as they are one of the best teams in the world.
The German giants have also won Cup Winners’ Cup in 1967 after their win over Rangers.
Chelsea
Chelsea are the latest to join the list after their impressive Europa League campaign in 2013. The Blues have won Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 and have managed to create upset in Munich to win Champions League trophy in 2012.
Chelsea are the only Premier League side to achieve the feat and Manchester United could become the second from Premier League.