Exclusive: Paul Parker Says Europa League Final Is About Pride for Misfiring Manchester United

Two-time Premier League winner Paul Parker has called for Manchester United’s misfiring players to play with “pride” as they look to land the UEFA Europa League title tomorrow (Wednesday) night.

The Red Devils have endured a miserable Premier League season to forget, but victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao would at least give the club’s disgruntled supporters something to smile about.

And victory would assure United Champions League football next season and a welcome cash windfall.

“We can pretty much say the season was put to bed a long time ago, it’s all about the final now," Parker told SportsBoom.com. 

“But I think he [Ruben Amorim] had to give up on the league, as a manager you have to be selfish."

“If you’ve got no ambition to win trophies for yourself, well then you shouldn’t be the Manchester United manager, it’s as simple as that."

“You want the players to have that same mindset as you. He definitely wants to win it so he can turn around and say ‘look, this is what I’ve won’ and a few years down the line people will remember him for it."

“But the thing that matters the most will be how we perform next season and how we perform, because this season hasn’t been good enough and everybody knows that.”

Message to the Manager and Players

Parker won five trophies during a decorated spell at Old Trafford between 1991 and 1996, including the FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.

And the former England international hopes United’s hit-and-miss players stand up and be counted at the Estadio de San Mames stadium with so much at stake and club in desperate need of some success after their worst Premier League season to date.

“This final is now just about personal pride and to see if our players have got enough about them to win the trophy,” stressed Parker, who played 105 games for the Red Devils.

“Have the players got enough pride amongst themselves motivated for this one game?"

“This one game is about one performance and result – and hopefully they can enjoy that."

“But they need to remember that they’re going to be judged again next season in their first game for Manchester United and, to be honest, that’s if many are them are still at the club."

“A lot of what some of the players have done is nowhere near as good enough for Manchester United, so they might leave in the summer."

Why This Final Matters for the Club’s Future

“At the end of the day it’s about the result, they have to win it. All people will see on paper, on computer or by phone, people will hopefully just see United have won Europa League."

“If United do win the trophy then it will absolutely incredible given the season they’ve had, incredible.”

United are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, while final opponents Spurs are a place below having also experienced a season to forget.

“Spurs are in a very similar position, there’s massive pressure on them to win as well,” added Parker.

“But this could be a massive turning point for United, getting Champions League football, from virtually nowhere, I mean what an opportunity."

“Qualifying for the Champions League would make a big, big difference, it gives the club the opportunity to attract big players and to show everyone what they’re planning to do moving forward.”