For now, it appears Jose Mourinho has his wish. Manchester United will have to rely on winning the Europa League if they wish to return to the Champions League in 2017-18.

There is still a chance that the Red Devils could maneuver their way into the top four, but the club still have an option that Liverpool & Manchester City don’t – take care of business against Celta Vigo and win the Final (presumably over Ajax), and they’ll return to Europe’s top club competition.

It was just several weeks ago that United controlled their own destiny to not just finish in the top four, but a chance to finish third, the difference being an automatic place in the UCL group stage. Liverpool and City have continued to drop points, allowing Mourinho’s team an opening that they’ve been unable to take advantage of. On the bright side, the club enjoyed an unbeaten Premier League run which came to an end Sunday after nearly eight months. At the same time, though, that run included home draws with West Bromwich Albion, Everton, and Swansea City, the last of those involved in a heated battle with Hull to avoid relegation.

And what if the plan to focus on the Europa League backfires? Should the club run into obstacles Thursday or in the Final, what will fans remember when they look back on this season? One positive that can’t be overlooked is the effect Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had on both the club and the Premier League, proving that he can still play at a high level even in his mid-30s. But when the Swede returns from his injury, can he maintain that level of play?

Manchester United are already assured a spot in next year’s Europa League, having won the EFL Cup in February. But for a club that has viewed an appearance in the Champions League as a birthright for two decades, anything less is looked at as failure. They’ve already experienced disappointment under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.  Can Mourinho return them to the UCL after one season? We will know by the end of the month.