Manchester United’s plans to ‘push’ for the signing of one player for Ruben Amorim were scuppered after the Red Devils’ defeat in the 2025 Europa League final.
Ruben Amorim’s men were handed a lifeline opportunity for securing European football for the 2025-26 season after reaching the Europa League final in May.
A victory in the final would have allowed Manchester United a route back to the Champions League for next season after their disastrous 2024-25 season.
United knocked Athletic Club out of the Europa League semi-finals and the Red Devils punched their ticket to an all-English showdown in the final with Tottenham.
The Europa League final between United and Tottenham took place at Athletic Club’s San Mames Stadium and the Red Devils came up short on the night in Bilbao.
Brennan Johnson found the winner for Tottenham in the 1-0 victory over United in Spain and Spurs lifted the Europa League trophy under Ange Postecoglou.
The impact of Man Utd’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Ruben Amorim in the summer transfer window
Manchester United missed out on the lucrative incentives that came from lifting the Europa League trophy and being in the Champions League for next season.
Journalist Miguel Angel Lopez has now claimed that United ‘were ready to push’ for the signing of former Leeds United star Raphinha from Barcelona.
The Colombian reporter claimed that United manager Ruben Amorim is a “massive fan” of Raphinha, who is under contract with La Liga club Barcelona until 2028.
The Red Devils’ spending power has been impacted by their failure to return to the Champions League and United’s Europa League final defeat has proved costly.
Miguel Angel Lopez reports that the lack of Champions League football ‘negatively affected’ United’s budget and has now ‘ruined any chance of signing’ Raphinha.
Man Utd missing out on Barcelona star Raphinha is a reality check for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos at Old Trafford
Barcelona brought Raphinha to the Camp Nou in 2022 after agreeing a deal worth up to £55m to sign the 28-year-old Brazilian winger from Leeds United.
Raphinha has impressed during his spell at the Spanish side and the former Leeds star has lifted two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey with Barcelona so far.
The Brazil international netted 34 times and registered 25 assists in 57 matches across all competitions for Barcelona in the 2024-25 campaign.
United’s limited spending power will now be a stark warning for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos for the Premier League club’s need to play in the Champions League.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
