Man Utd legend calls out Arsene Wenger for ‘strange’ Europa League idea

Manchester United legend Gary Pallister has called out Arsene Wenger for ‘strange ideas’ after he proposed a new Europa League rule change.

Former Arsenal manager Wenger has suggested the team that wins the Europa League title should no longer qualify for the Champions League.

Wenger has urged UEFA to ‘review’ the current qualification rules ahead of a possible final between United – Pallister’s former club – and Tottenham.

United and Spurs look likely to face off in an all-English Europa League final after both winning the first legs of their semi-final clashes last week.

The Red Devils won 3-0 away at Athletic Bilbao while Arsenal’s arch rivals Spurs beat Bodo/Glimt 3-1 before the second leg showdowns on Thursday.

Pallister, who won 15 trophies at United in the 1990s, has told Metro that a Champions League spot is a ‘great incentive’ for Europa League teams.

‘[Wenger is] saying it needs to be looked at,’ Pallister said via William Hill. ‘I mean, it’s a tough one for me. You know, it’s great that winning the Europa League can get you into the Champions League.

‘I can understand what he’s saying, it’s all about finishing in a high position in your [domestic] league but I don’t know, I’m not sure about that one myself… It’s a great incentive for teams in the Europa League.

‘Wenger has a few strange ideas I think. Not all of them are good. If they are going to change it, it won’t be for this season.

‘It’s for the powers that be to discuss that. I think they’ll leave it the same. It’s a massive incentive for the players who aren’t playing in the Champions League. I’d leave it the way it is.’

It is normally the case that only the top four teams who finish highest in the Premier League qualify for the following season’s Champions League.

This season, though, there is a one-off extra Champions League spot for the team that finishes in fifth place due to strong performances of English clubs in Europe.

The Europa League and Champions League winners also earn a spot in the following season’s Champions League – meaning there could be as many as seven English sides featuring in the elite club competition next term.

For that to happen, United or Spurs would need to win the Europa League and Arsenal would need to clinch their first-ever Champions League title, although it would also require the Gunners falling outside of the Premier League top five.

The Gunners, second in the Premier League table with three games left, are currently 1-0 down in their Champions League semi-final with French champions Paris Saint-Germain ahead of Wednesday’s second leg clash.

United and Spurs have no chance of qualifying for Europe via their league position this term – with the Europa League their only chance of doing so.

Ruben Amorim’s side are currently 15th in the top-flight table on 39 points with just three fixtures left.

Tottenham, under the management of Ange Postecoglou, are having an even worse Premier League season with his team 16th on 38 points.