I nearly spat out my coffee when I read this one. Emmanuel Petit - Arsenal hero and perpetual thorn in United's side - has gone for the jugular again.

The Frenchman doesn't mince his words, does he? He's flat-out declared that Manchester United and Tottenham "absolutely" don't deserve Champions League football next season. And honestly? Looking at the Premier League table, it's hard to argue with him.

The Audacity of Hope (Through the Back Door)

Both clubs are having absolute nightmares in the league. United currently sit 15th - FIFTEENTH! - while Spurs are somehow managing to do even worse below them. Yet here they are, potentially sneaking into Europe's elite competition through the Europa League.

Thursday night was quite revealing. United absolutely demolished Athletic Bilbao 3-0 IN SPAIN of all places. I watched that match with my brother-in-law (lifelong United fan) who couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Where has THIS team been all season?" he kept shouting.

Meanwhile, Tottenham handled Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in London. They still need to survive that notorious artificial pitch in Norway tho - the same one that's claimed so many big scalps this season.

Petit's Not Having Any of It

Listen. Petit, now 54, didn't hold back when chatting to FastSlots about this potential Champions League backdoor entry.

"Tottenham and Manchester United both have the chance to save terrible seasons in the Europa League, but does either side deserve to play in the Champions League next season?" he asked, before answering his own question with a brutal: "Absolutely not."

He went further. "Both teams don't deserve to be among teh Champions League teams for the next season."

Wait... Didn't Lyon Almost End United's Run?

Something that's been bothering me since the quarter-finals - Lyon really should've finished United off in that second leg. I remember texting my editor during that game: "How are United still in this???"

Petit clearly feels the same. "I wish the best of luck for Manchester United against Bilbao, but looking at the game against Lyon [in Leg 2 of the quarter-finals], Lyon should've finished United off."

The former Chelsea man doesn't rate Spurs' chances much either: "Spurs could spring a surprise, but I don't expect anything from Spurs or Manchester United this season."

The Unfairness of It All

What really got me was his final verdict.

"To be honest with you, if one of those clubs wins the Europa League, I think that would be unfair."

Unfair. That's a strong word coming from a player who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. But when you look at how these teams have performed domestically... is he wrong?

Back in 2019, I remember having this exact conversation with a mate at the pub. We were debating whether the Europa League winner deserves automatic Champions League qualification. Six pints in, we couldn't agree. Now in 2025, with two massive clubs potentially exploiting this rule while being absolute disasters in their domestic league... it feels different.

The Cruel Irony for Athletic Bilbao

Poor Athletic. They're facing the prospect of watching United lift the trophy in THEIR OWN STADIUM later this month. After that 3-0 hammering, Ernesto Valverde's men need a miracle to turn things around.

Imagine spending $85 on a ticket to watch your team in a European semi, only to see them get absolutely dismantled like that. Devastating.

Whatever happens in the second legs, Petit's comments will sting both fanbases. But sometimes the truth hurts.