Arsene Wenger on Why Old Foes Manchester United and Tottenham Do Not Deserve Champions League Ticket

Arsene Wenger feels Manchester United and Tottenham do not deserve a Champions League place.

Arsene Wenger on Why Old Foes Manchester United and Tottenham Do Not Deserve Champions League Ticket

Joel Omotto 01:00 - 05.05.2025

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given reasons why he feels it will not be right for struggling Manchester United and Tottenham to play in the Champions League next season.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has risked the wrath of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fans after saying that the two clubs do not deserve a place in the Champions League.

United and Tottenham have had an embarrassing Premier League season with the Red Devils in 15th place while Spurs are 16th but somehow, one of them could end up playing Champions League football next season, same as the teams that will finish in the top five.

This is because United and Tottenham have healthy first leg leads in their Europa League semi-final ties with Ruben Amorim’s team leading Athletic Bilbao 3-0 while Ange Postecoglou’s team beat Bodo Glimt 3-1 in the first leg.

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If they hold onto their leads, both of them will make it to the final, where the Europa League winner will seal a Champions League ticket, making it six Premier League clubs in the competition, given five English sides will be entered next season.

However, Wenger feels it would not be right that teams that finished that low in their leagues will be getting a place ticket to play amongst the elites in Europe.

“No. It is right if you make the decision that it is right,” Wenger said on beIN SPORTS when asked if it would be right for such a scenario to happen.

“They should qualify automatically for the Europa League again not necessarily for the Champions League especially when you are in the league where you already have so many teams, five teams who will qualify.

“So, it will be looked at as maybe something to think about but on the other hand, people will say to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivating you need to give them that prize.”

Wenger’s comments received mixed reactions on social media with some agreeing with him while others slammed him, claiming he was saying so due to his background as a former Arsenal coach.

Wenger had many bruising battles with United during his 23 years in charge of Arsenal as they battled for Premier League glory with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson while Tottenham remain the Gunners’ bitter rivals from North London.