There was one place where Manchester United’s victory against Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final was celebrated more than anywhere else: the Old Trafford accounts department.
Never mind how much Harry Maguire has lifted the spirits of every United supporter, never mind Casemiro maintaining his pitch-perfect impression of a footballing Lazarus, never mind that this was the most convincing tactical performance in Ruben Amorim’s time as manager, what matters for the bean counters is the potential financial return. Because the win has given United a chance to access the hundreds of millions of pounds of additional revenue that comes with Champions League qualification.