Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has stated that the Red Devils' upcoming Europa League final against Ajax is as big as their historic Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999.
Manchester United prepare to square off against Ajax Amsterdam in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday night and the clash at Stockholm holds a lot of importance for the Red Devils as their Champions League hopes for next season depends entirely on the encounter.
Despite the Europa League being considered a second tier competition, United will be desperate to win on the night and club legend Dwight Yorke has stated that the upcoming showpiece in Sweden can be compared to the Red Devils' Champions League final with Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in 1999 in terms of importance.
"This game is as important as the '99 final, but for different reasons. We were creating history, to do something at the club nobody had been able to do," said Yorke, speaking exclusively to 888sport.
"But in terms of laying down the foundations and moving forward for this club that has not done anything meaningful in the Champions League for three seasons, this is so crucial.
"To see the likes of Liverpool and Spurs in the Champions League and not Manchester United would be a massive blow to the club. They have fallen short in the Premier League, there is no two ways about that, and this is an enormous game for United.
"The importance of it is just beyond anything else because it will set the club up going forward to bring in the best players and that's something they need to do.
"United have gone four seasons now without winning the league and for a club of their standards that is just not acceptable at all and considering the money they have spent this season to not end up in the Champions League will be a bitter blow."
Source: tribalfootball.com