Man Utd spared humiliation after UEFA rule change spells bad news for Tottenham

There are few positives can take following Wednesday night's crushing final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. It's a result that ends United's season, given Ruben Amorim's side can no longer qualify for European competition of any kind.

A spot in the Champions League wouldn't have absolved all of United's issues, with the Red Devils in need of surgery on their squad during the off-season. But without the added finances, a spot at Europe's top table will bring, any potential work on the squad is now going to be much more difficult.

There is at least one reason for United to be thankful they didn't triumph in Bilbao, and that's because of a recent UEFA rule change. This season saw a revamp for UEFA competitions, with all three tournaments switching from a group stage format to a league phase.

The decision to stop teams from the Champions League dropping into the Europa League was also taken, but it's a change to the seeding system that will have United fans breathing a sigh of relief, with Tottenham supporters left fearing the worst. In the old format, the winner of the Europa League would be placed in Pot One for the Champions League draw - something that has since changed.

Instead, the Europa League winners are ranked on their coefficient, just like the majority of the other 35 teams in the competition. It spells bad news for Tottenham, as it means they'll be in for much tougher tests in the Champions League, compared to if they'd have qualified as the Europa League winners just a couple of seasons earlier.

It's no saving grace for United though, who despite the threat of hefty beatings against Europe's elite, would've much rather been in the competition than sat at home. But Amorim has vowed to make it work in their favour, insisting the extra time on the training ground could prove handy.

, the Portuguese tactician said: "We have two plans even for the market and we need to understand that is tough for a club like us not to be in the Champions League. But we have to use the other side. So if we have more time, we have more time to think during the week and be better in the Premier League, that will be our focus."

United's season will officially come to an end when they host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. The 20-time English champions are guaranteed to finish inside the bottom half.