Will Marcus Rashford and Erik ten Hag get medals if Man Utd win Europa League?
Manchester United could end one of the worst seasons in their history by lifting a trophy after reaching the Europa League final.
United came from behind to thump Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday night, winning their semi-final tie 7-1 on aggregate.
It sets up an all-Premier League European final after Tottenham -themselves enduring a torrid season – defeated Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate.
Though it has been an extremely poor campaign, winning silverware would relieve some pressure off head coach Ruben Amorim and his players.
There has been a great deal of change at Old Trafford throughout the season, including Amorim replacing Erik ten Hag in the dugout, as well as the departures of high-profile players Marcus Rashford and Antony in January.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
And that has lead to an interesting question: If United were to beat Spurs at the final in Bilbao and win the Europa League, will Ten Hag and any players who left in January receive winners' medals?
The Dutch manager oversaw the Red Devils' first three Europa League league phase games – draws against Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce – before getting the sack in October.
Additionally, Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge for the 2-0 win over PAOK during his interim spell before Amorim's arrival.
Rashford made six appearances in the competition, recording one goal and one assist, before being exiled from the first-team and the England international subsequently joined Aston Villa on loan.
Antony and Tyrell Malacia both made four Europa League appearances before being loaned out to Real Betis and PSV respectively.
In the Premier League, the title-winning club is given 40 medals to be distributed among players, coaching staff and club officials in whatever way they see fit, with players who make at least five appearances guaranteed to receive one. More Trending
But there is no such rule regarding minimum appearances in UEFA competitions, with the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League winners to receive 50 goal medals, with 50 silver medals presented to the runners-up.
It would seem then that whether the likes of Ten Hag and Rashford receive medals for their contributions is entirely up to Manchester United themselves.
Antony is in a unique position as the winger has fired Betis to the final of the Conference League, where they'll face Chelsea, meaning he could well win two major European competitions in the same season.
The Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham takes place at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on May 21.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Ruben Amorim must drop two Man Utd stars for Europa League final against Tottenham
MORE: Ange Postecoglou aims cheeky dig at Arsenal after Tottenham reach Europa League final
MORE: Gary Neville names Inter Milan star who would be perfect for Manchester United
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
18 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I can't see the difference…' – Man Utd fans fume as new 2025/26 kit is released with ‘nod to Old Trafford'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED have released their home kit for the 2025/26 campaign. The Red Devils announced the release with a dramatic video, showing a giant shirt held aloft inside Old Trafford. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Manchester United have launched their new kit for the 2025-26 season Credit: 5 The Red Devils have returned to black Adidas stripes and trim Credit: 5 Captain Bruno Fernandes took part in the photoshoot alongside Patrick Dorgu Credit: 5 The new top pays tribute to Old Trafford Credit: 5 The shirt retails from £80 Credit: The new strip pays tribute to the Theatre of Dreams, and sees United return to a red and black theme. In a change from last season the iconic Adidas stripes on the arms are black instead of white, as are the cuffs of the sleeves. For some the shirt is strikingly similar to last season, although the 2023/24 kit is perhaps a better comparison given that also bore black stripes. Adidas state the "home kits are crafted with the best of sporting technology, with AEROREADY materials that leave you feeling cool, dry, and comfortable on matchday, whether you're on the pitch or in the stands". READ MORE ON MAN UTD GET IT DON Sancho at centre of three-way Prem transfer war as Chelsea line up Man U pal They retail for £85 or £90 depending on sleeve length, while the 'authentic' top will set fans back £120 or £130 - the latter is the long sleeve which sold out within hours of being released. Captain Bruno Fernandes featured in the shirt promotion shoot, along with Amad, Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro. Some fans feel the jersey is a copycat from last year, with one saying: "I didn't spot a difference w 24/25 Home kit." Another added: "It's the 23/24 kit." BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS A third wrote: "New season. Same shirt. New performance please 🙏" And another commented: "Same jersey."
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘I can't see the difference…' – Man Utd fans fume as new 2025/26 kit is released with ‘nod to Old Trafford'
MANCHESTER UNITED have released their home kit for the 2025/26 campaign. The Red Devils announced the release with a dramatic video, showing a giant shirt held aloft inside Old Trafford. 5 5 5 The new strip pays tribute to the Theatre of Dreams, and sees United return to a red and black theme. In a change from last season the iconic Adidas stripes on the arms are black instead of white, as are the cuffs of the sleeves. For some the shirt is strikingly similar to last season, although the 2023/24 kit is perhaps a better comparison given that also bore black stripes. Adidas state the "home kits are crafted with the best of sporting technology, with AEROREADY materials that leave you feeling cool, dry, and comfortable on matchday, whether you're on the pitch or in the stands". They retail for £85 or £90 depending on sleeve length, while the 'authentic' top will set fans back £120 or £130 - the latter is the long sleeve which sold out within hours of being released. Captain Bruno Fernandes featured in the shirt promotion shoot, along with Amad, Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro. Some fans feel the jersey is a copycat from last year, with one saying: "I didn't spot a difference w 24/25 Home kit." Another added: "It's the 23/24 kit." BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS A third wrote: "New season. Same shirt. New performance please 🙏" And another commented: "Same jersey."
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Liverpool and Chelsea sent clear message over Hugo Ekitike transfer
Eintracht Frankfurt have told Liverpool and Chelsea they will not lower their asking price for striker Hugo Ekitike. The highly-rated 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League following a breakout season at Frankfurt. Ekitike had never hit double digits before the 2024-25 campaign but netted 22 goals in his first full season with Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman's form helped Frankfurt finish third in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen and go deep in the Europa League before they were knocked out by eventual winners Tottenham. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have expressed interest in signing Ekitike this summer as Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca look to bring some firepower to Anfield and Stamford Bridge. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Liverpool of course won the Premier League last season but did so playing without a recognised striker for most of the campaign. One of the forwards already at Anfield, Darwin Nunez, is expected to move on amid interest from clubs in Italy, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Chelsea are also interested in a deal for Ekitike despite welcoming England U21 striker Liam Delap to the club last week in a £30m deal from Ipswich Town. The Premier League clubs are hoping Frankfurt will lower their asking price for Ekitike, who they value at €100m (£84m). However, the German club appear ready to stand firm on that valuation, with sporting director Markus Krosche insisting they do not have to sell Ekitike this summer. 'If the price isn't right, then he'll just stay with us,' he told Wiesbadener Kurier. 'We don't have to sell Hugo.' Ex-England defender Micah Richards recently revealed Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's verdict on Ekitike. 'In terms of Ekitike, I've spoken to Thierry Henry about him a lot,' Manchester City hero Richards told The Rest is Football podcast. 'He says he's not [necessarily] a frustrating player, but one minute he looks amazing and the next minute he doesn't really do the basics very well. 'But he said if he gets it right and improves then his ceiling could be very, very high.' Richards, meanwhile, is unsure whether Ekitike is an ideal fit for Slot's Liverpool ahead of their Premier League title defence. He added: 'It depends on how they want to play. Do they want a striker who can stretch or they do they want a striker who is going to come to feet and interlink play? More Trending 'Ekitike is not bad on the ball but he's more of a stretch striker than a [Roberto] Firmino coming in deep and linking play. 'Where does Florian Wirtz fit into that? Where does Dominik Szoboszlai fit into that? Where does Luis Diaz potentially fit into that. 'If they get Wirtz I think they may be looking for more a player who can drop and Diaz can play a little bit deeper. He played a lot as a No.9 this season. 'But talent wise he's definitely got enough to add to this Liverpool side.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: 'He'll probably go there' – Premier League star expects team-mate to join Liverpool MORE: AC Milan in talks to sign second Arsenal star along with Oleksandr Zinchenko MORE: Enzo Maresca told Chelsea fans would have preferred £64m striker to Liam Delap
