Once mocked by their own fans as "Thursday night football", Manchester United now find themselves clinging to the Europa League like a last parachute out of a crashing plane.

Their latest escape act came against Lyon last night as they clawed back from 4–2 down in extra-time to win 5–4 at Old Trafford, scraping through 7–6 on aggregate to advance into the competition's semifinals.

Harry Maguire celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Casemiro and Harry Amass at Old Trafford April 17, 2025 . Photo: REUTERS

Three favourable outcomes now stand between them and a European trophy -- plus a golden ticket back to the Champions League and its glittering financial rewards.

For a club sitting 14th in the Premier League and sleepwalking towards their worst-ever points haul, this second-tier continental competition has become the only show in town.

It's been 12 long years since long-serving manager Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out with their last league title in hand. In the time since, the once-mighty Red Devils have spun through players and managers like a revolving door.

Philosophies have come and gone. Identity? Still missing in action. Tactics? More scrambled than structured.

But through the mess, the Europa League has become the one place where United still occasionally remember who they were. Their triumph under Jose Mourinho in the 2016–17 season had offered a fleeting taste of glory. Since then, Thursday nights have shifted from punchline to priority.

It's no longer about resting the big guns -- it is the big stage.

Sure, United are a two-time Champions League-winning side, a club whose DNA was supposedly woven into Tuesday and Wednesday nights. But these days, they don't just play in the Europa League -- they live for it.

Indeed, the second-tier European competition has become the coping mechanism, the new normal for the fanbase of one of the most popular clubs in the world.

Funny how time plays out.