This week will be incredibly exciting for everyone who follows football in Norway. – I am not thinking about the Champions League semi-finals, but about Bodø/Glimt who invite Tottenham to the “plastic pitch” at Aspmyra.
I am fully aware that Bodø/Glimt were not their usual selves in London and lost 3 – 1 against Tottenham in the first semi-final in Norwegian football history Europa League. I am sure Kjetil Knutsen now that he has practically regained his midfield (after quarantine) will step in and lead Bodø/Glimt to an even more historic Europa League final.
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There they will probably meet a giant on feet of clay, Manchester United
A Manchester United star gets a massive pay rise and will match Cristiano Ronaldo’s record if Ruben Amorim’s team wins the Europa League.
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Manchester United are currently in the semi-finals of the Europa League and have a 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao after the first leg in Spain on Thursday. If Amorim’s team holds onto the lead at Old Trafford, they will face either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt in the final, which will be played in Bilbao.
Success in the Europa League is United’s only chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, as they are currently in 15th place in the Premier League.
Amorim is clearly focused on the Europa League, as the Portuguese manager has rotated heavily in the league – with youngsters Tyler Fredericson, Harry Amass and Chido Obi in the starting line-up in the 4-2 loss to Brentford on Sunday.
He hopes that the strategy will pay off in May with his first trophy as United manager.
If that happens, one player in particular will receive a significant salary increase.
The Daily Star reports that midfielder Casemiro will receive a 25% pay rise if United qualify for the Champions League.
According to the reports, this will increase his salary to a whopping £500,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League – and matching what Ronaldo earned during his second spell at the club (2021-2022).
The former Real Madrid player has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, but the 33-year-old has shown better performances recently.
It is reported that the wage deal was struck when Casemiro signed for the club in 2022, when Manchester United were not in the Champions League that season after a difficult period under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
United qualified for the Champions League in Erik ten Hag’s first season, but missed out on the top four last year – and only reached the Europa League through victory in the FA Cup.
If the wage increase happens, it could make his future less uncertain, although minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stated that he believes some players are “overpaid” by United’s management.
He mentioned Casemiro as one of several players he and INEOS “inherited” when they took over minority control in 2024 – players the club still pays instalments for.
In an interview with BBC Sport in March, he said:
“It takes time to move away from the past and into a new future. Some [signings in recent years] are not good enough, and some are overpaid. But for us to form a squad that we are fully responsible for, it will take time.
Bodø/Glimt by winning the Europa League will not only be directly qualified for the Champions League and make the road to Europe easier for several Norwegian clubs, but also prevent Casemiro from becoming the highest paid Manchester United player ever.
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