After February’s round of European fixtures, there were certainly a few eyebrows raised at the fact that the glamour tie in continental football was found in the Europa League, not the Champions League.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool was a big one, but there was arguably more scrutiny on United and Barcelona, particularly given the fact the two legs were balanced on a knife edge.
While there was the usual banter on social media pouring scorn on the two behemoth clubs duking it out in Europe’s secondary competition, it’s worth saying that it felt like a blip.
This was the best team in Spain battling with the form team in Europe – the United. It’s almost certain that both will be back in the Champions League next season.
For United, there is, of course, a consensus that returning to fight for Europe’s biggest prize should be a priority, but what will happen when they get there?
We don’t know what United’s odds will be in the Champions League for next season yet, but one would assume that they are among the contenders, albeit not outright favorites.
Of course, it is not guaranteed that they will get there – there is work to do. But the trajectory of the club is pointing to being a force at Europe’s top table again sooner rather than later.
Home form has improved dramatically under Erik Ten Hag
If United is to become a Champions League force again, there will certainly need to be some smart recruitment. But there is also a more unquantifiable force that will play a role – Old Trafford.
When United’s superb (regardless of what happens in the coming weeks) season is reflected upon, should not be overlooked the role that the fans and stadium have played in the revival. Slowly but surely, Old Trafford is becoming the fortress it once was. We don’t need to remind United fans that was sorely lacking in recent years.
Yes, things have not been completely perfect under Erik Ten Hag at Old Trafford. The defeats to Brighton and Real Sociedad, as well as the 2-2 draw against Leeds United, stand out.
But, by and large, United’s home record has been one of the best in Europe. Only City has a better record in the Premier League at home, and, well, we know how good it has been in cup competitions.
But perhaps more importantly, there is a sense that the fans understand the role they have to play in making United a feared force at home.
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Old Trafford has acted as the 12th man
We all know that United fans often got ridiculed for providing a limp atmosphere. The “prawn sandwich” crowd, to paraphrase Roy Keane.
But that seems like a redundant charge. The electric atmosphere at the Barcelona game was a sight to behold, with the crowd playing as a 12th man in the stunning second-half comeback.
Of course, it’s easy to raise the roof when Barcelona comes to town, but there are other examples.
Think back to the win over Crystal Palace in early February, where a Casemiro red card meant that 10-man United had to hold on for a 2-1 victory. It wasn’t always pretty, but it felt like the fans and team were, well, united.
Perhaps we have gotten too far ahead of ourselves by talking about the Champions League next season.
As mentioned, there is still a lot of work to do. But United will be in European competition in some form or another next season, and it’s imperative that Old Trafford plays a role in the team’s renaissance.
Even in the Ferguson era, United managed to put up some limp performances at headquarters. But there was always an expectation that United would win at home, regardless of who was coming to Old Trafford.
Even when United wasn’t demonstrably the better side, such as in the Champions League Semi-Final against AC Milan in 2006/07, the expectation was United would win at “our place”. That is coming back.
Whether it’s the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, or one of the domestic cups, the team can feed off the atmosphere provided by the fans. It’s up to the former to give the latter reason to make noise, of course, but each can be a catalyst for the other.
Even if parts of the infrastructure are crumbling, Old Trafford deserves to be one of the most feared venues for opposing teams in world football. It could be Erik Ten Hag’s not-so-secret weapon as the United revival continues.
