This week, when they play Real Sociedad, Manchester United face their biggest game since 1990.
United have contested four Champions League finals, winning two and losing two, during that 35-year time frame, but none have been as consequential to the club's future as Thursday's Europa League round of 16 first-leg tie in Spain. The same will apply in next week's second leg at Old Trafford -- and every Europa League game until the final in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21 -- if United get that far.
The reason? Failure to win the Europa League would mean United miss out on a place in next season's Champions League, triggering a financial nightmare that would leave a £100 million hole (at least) in the club's budget at a time when money is already tight at Old Trafford.