Both tbh.
Both would give us exactly what we want, a route back into the Champions League, where we belong.
I'm getting so used to these Thursday nights that I actually feel like the Europa League isn't that bad.
No, I'm not smoking any good shit nor have I drunk anything inducing.
But we do need to get back to Europe's elite club competition as we've spent far too many years out of it in the past decade.
As we're in the Europa League though, it does give us two bites at the cherry.
Win the EL, not only do we get a trophy but also qualification into next season's CL. The top 4 is just the top 4 however, considering the level of quality in the league compared to the Europa, does it not show that our level of quality is improving should we get into the top 4?
When looking at the now 36 teams in the Europa League thanks to it's new (and unnecessary) format, I found that only Fenerbahce - managed by Jose Mourinho, Galatasaray - who caused us a lot of trouble in last year's CL, potentially Porto - whom we face next week, and Spurs, are the only four sides that I can see who can be the contenders for the trophy. I do imagine that United will be the outright favorites though.
But should you win it, you will get a trophy whereas you won't for getting into the top 4.
A trophy sounds nice but when the general level of competition isn't that high, people will say that we shouldn't really be celebrating it as most of the teams are shite.
Getting into the top 4 of the league is difficult given that level of competition.
City, Liverpool and Arsenal are all favorites to finish in the top 3 which means only one spot is available in the top 4. No shit Sherlock 🙄.
When looking at the amount of teams that can qualify in that one position, it ain't gonna be easy.
United, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle, Brighton and Villa all have a shot of making it into that final Champions League position. The current standings show that Villa are in the top 4 (third) while Chelsea are in 5th, Newcastle 6th and Brighton 7th with Spurs and United in 10th and 11th.
Yes, there is the potential for the 5th spot qualifying you for the Champions League but that isn't guaranteed. 4th is what we should be aiming for, at least.
As we know, the Premier League in general is really difficult as anyone could beat anyone and to have to do it across 38 games is quite a tough task.
This is why so many regard making it into the top 4 as an achievement in itself. We used to ridicule Arsenal for being happy at finishing 4th every season but now, we find ourselves in that very same position.
Can we do both? It's not impossible but it's highly unlikely.
The last team to win the Europa League and finish in the top 4 was Chelsea in 18/19 under Maurizio Sarri. That marked the second time that the Blues won the trophy and finished in the top 4 as in the 12/13 campaign, they also won the Europa League and came 3rd, although they did drop down from the Champions League in that season.
Liverpool in 2000/2001 also managed to lift the trophy and finish 3rd but that's it. In United's only triumph of this cup, we finished 6th in Jose Mourinho's first campaign in charge (16/17).
English sides also don't have the greatest record of lifting the Europa League so that stacks the odds even more against United.
In Erik ten Hag's first season at the club, his side were dumped out by Sevilla in the quarter finals but did finish 3rd in the league. Would that have been possible had we gone all the way in Europe?
That is another factor to consider. The Europa League is now a league with more teams in the competition. It was already long and arduous but this season, it will be more demanding. To have to play Thursday-Sunday football for most of the season is no easy feat especially when you have to travel, something United will do in match 2 as we go to Porto on Thursday, 3 October which is followed by a trip to Villa on Sunday, 6 October.
A squad is needed and one that is injury free otherwise chances are, you're going to have to choose one or the other (EL or top 4).
I would really like us to do both. I think that this would truly indicate to everyone that we mean business and get everyone to start to take us seriously again. Indeed, achieving either of top 4 or winning the Europa League is a good achievement on its own and would cause others to see us in a more positive light but doing both would suggest that perhaps Man Utd are back.
If I had to choose one though, it would be to get into the top 4.
The league is harder, longer and is your bread and butter. The consistency in terms of your performances needed in the Premier League is relentless whereas in some cup games, you may get away with it against some opponents if you don't turn up.
As we know in England, take your foot off the gas a little, and you will be punished. Anyone can beat anyone if you're not at the races. Liverpool losing at home to Forest is a good example.
This would show that we are capable of playing at a high level on a consistent basis and get us into the Champions League.
One way or another though, CL qualification is a must.
What would you rather though?
Background Images: Jose Mourinho with the Europa League trophy | Image credit: Getty Images via Eurosport and Erik ten Hag | Creator: Ash Donelon | Credit: Manchester United via Getty Images - SuperSport