COMMENT: Planes, trains and automobiles. The Red Army are on the move and there will be plenty of Reds without tickets or beds in Stockholm this week.
The Uefa Cup, now branded as the Europa League isn't high amongst the prestige honours sought by United fans, but it's a final United must now grasp with both hands.
The prize is more than just the twisted vase-like-cup, it's a route into the prestige that is the Champions League. That's the basket in which Jose has placed all of his eggs and the team selection over recent weeks has been built around securing the trophy.
Injuries haven't helped the cause and the squad is looking very threadbare. A moment of madness in the semi final has denied Jose his best centre back in Eric Bailly. One of Phil Jones or Chris Smalling will line up alongside Daley Blind, who comes up against one of his former clubs in Ajax. Jose will be praying that neither Smalling nor Jones picks up an injury, something they seem to collect by just blinking an eye.
Many said it was set in the stars that Zlatan would line up in his native Sweden for the final and maybe his final ever United game, but the injury curse has struck and he now faces a long lay off, possibly away from United who look unlikely to offer him a new year-long contract. Should United win in Stockholm, expect Zlatan, Marcos Rojo and the other injured players to be part of the celebrations as all have played a part in such a long and tiring season.
It was those injuries that saw Jose turn to the kids for the final few games of the season and against Crystal Palace the United squad contained enough kids to make the late, great Sir Matt Busby proud. The kids did well and it turned out to be one of the more enjoyable performances at Old Trafford this season. The Theatre of Dreams has been the Theatre of Draws this term, but once again United won something with kids as they defeated Palace - with a superb solo effort from Josh Harrop being the day's highlight.
Late in the game another moment of significance came as 16 year old Angel Gomes became the club's youngest ever player to play in the Premier League. Those who watch the youth teams will tell you all about his skill and promise. As he entered the history books he replaced a once hyped teenager in Wayne Rooney, a child prodigy who grew up to be United's all time leading goalscorer. The United crowd rose to their feet to give Rooney the ovation his career deserves, with the majority feeling that it could be the last time we see Wayne in the red shirt of United in the Premier League.
His role this season has been limited and he looks likely to move on in the summer, probably returning to his native Everton. Could we see one last swan song in Sweden?
It's not just the United travelling army who have been clocking up the miles. United officials have spent the last few weeks tying up deals for Jose's main targets. The business end of the season has seen United tie up most of their deals early. Monaco, Madrid and the short trip to Goodison Park have been the most frequented destinations.
The Europa League final is now key to these deals, the top targets want Champions League football and their signatures will be based on that, with Jose having a reserve list should disaster strike in Stockholm.
Speculation is rife, as it always is with United, players will continue to be linked, but Wednesday night's final is key.
Can United become the first English club to complete the set of every major trophy won?
Follow, follow, follow!
Andrew is the co-founder of Stretford End Flags, an independent fans group set up to improve the atmosphere and colour within Old Trafford. SEF provide the famous Stretford End banners. Visit stretfordendflags.com for more information - and to get involved.
Follow Stretford End Flags on Twitter: @sef_Mufc
