I have a worry about this. Yesterday I watched the game but even at half-time when they were 0:2 down and had been terrible, I thought the powers that be would get them back into it.
You see UEFA and the PL (plus the TV companies who supply much of the money) all want United in the top-4 and back in the CL. There was even some talk recently of 'legacy clubs' with 'histry' getting free entry, even if they finished mid-table. Horrible echoes of the whole Super-League disaster. Fortunately there was an outcry - its anti-competitive - and it was knocked on the head. As a compromise from 2024/25 the top-five English sides will get into the European Cup - this might help United, but probably Newcastle United! not this bunch of tw*ts. Consequently, behind the scenes, at UEFA at the PL at Sky and at Stockley Park everything that can possibly be done, will be done to try to get MUFC into the big cup; I expect to see some very odd things in Europa Cup matches later in the season too.
I still don't think they will manage it though :) but it will be frustrating for teams to play them, especially teams like Brighton, well organised with solid players and a good work ethic, because there are going to be multiple weird decisions (like yesterday) and sometimes it might even work and produce false results.