{"id":300699,"date":"2023-12-16T11:39:09","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T11:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=300699"},"modified":"2023-12-16T11:39:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T11:39:09","slug":"man-utd-and-newcastle-champions-league-failures-may-have-huge-knock-on-effect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/soccer\/man-utd-and-newcastle-champions-league-failures-may-have-huge-knock-on-effect\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd and Newcastle Champions League failures may have huge knock-on effect"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Manchester United and Newcastle United\u2019s European exits were contrasting in their manner – meek damage limitation versus gung-ho cavalry charge – but they added up to the same thing. Failure that could come back to bite English football.<\/p>\n

Never before in the history of the Champions League have two English teams finished bottom of their group in the same season.<\/p>\n

And it is an under-performance which could have ramifications for the Premier League as a whole.<\/p>\n

The expansion of the Champions League next season will see two countries gain an extra place each in the competition.<\/p>\n

It was widely assumed before a ball was kicked this season that would mean five spots instead of four for the Premier League.<\/p>\n

But the exits of United and Newcastle – who miss out on the Europa League as well – has put that in serious doubt.<\/p>\n

UEFA will award the places based on a complex coefficient which will play out through this season\u2019s knockout stages but as things stand, they will be going to Germany and Italy, not England.<\/p>\n

If the Premier League table was frozen as it is at the moment, that would mean Tottenham, in fifth, miss out but it is a situation that could equally well affect sixth-placed Manchester United or Newcastle in seventh.<\/p>\n

If it comes to pass, it would be a huge blow to the ego of a league which dwarfs its continental rivals in terms of its financial might.<\/p>\n

It has just signed a domestic rights deal worth twice as much as that of Serie A.<\/p>\n

The latest Deloittes Football Money League places 11 Premier League clubs in the world\u2019s richest top 20. These are the fat cats of football.<\/p>\n

Newcastle, although restrained by Financial Fair Play rules, have access to the planet\u2019s biggest sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n

Their Euro knockout can be explained, given they were keeping some pretty well-heeled company in their group, by the lack of Champions League experience in their set-up.<\/p>\n

They have also been struggling to put out a fit 11 at various points during their campaign.<\/p>\n

But while United also can point to injury issues – particularly in defence – they had a good deal less of an excuse in trailing behind Copenhagen and Galatasaray. In fact none at all. Bear in mind that Copenhagen\u2019s budget is around one twentieth of United\u2019s and their showing was quite simply indefensible.<\/p>\n

It just goes to show that money on its own does not guarantee results. How and where it is spent ultimately decides whether a team is successful or not.<\/p>\n

United, under Erik ten Hag, have shelled out \u00a3400m but yet got nowhere.<\/p>\n

After the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth, they looked more like a side trying to keep the score down against Bayern Munich in midweek rather than one intent on winning the game and trying to qualify.<\/p>\n