In a European final, the last 90 minutes of the competition, a game that holds high stakes, a game with which a victory could put a little bit of gloss on an already dismal season, one would expect players, staff, coaches and even fans inclusive to bring their A-game.
However, on the contrary for Manchester United, that wasn’t the case when they faced Tottenham Hotspur.
The club, who have been on their worst-ever domestic campaign in the Premier League era, have missed out on the opportunity to secure a trophy and a UEFA Champions League spot after losing 1-0 to Spurs in Bilbao.
The players failed to turn up for the big occasion and some would argue that the gaffer got the players in his starting eleven wrong.
United who were knocked out of the FA Cup – following a 1-1 draw with Fulham – where they went on to lose 4-3 on penalties – and lost 4-3 in the Carling Cup to Tottenham, got to the UEFA Europa League final with a chance to win silverware, but they blew it.
Tottenham, on the other hand, set up a side without key talisman Heung Min Son, who came in as a second-half substitute but welcomed back Defender Cristian Romero and Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr to the starting eleven.
From the start of the game, the Spurs stuck to their game plan, chasing every ball and doubling up on United’s wingers and at the end of the 90 minutes, celebrated their club’s first trophy in 17 years.
The only goal of the game, which was a scrappy one was scored in the 42nd minute by Brennan Johnson after a cross by Pape Sarr met the Welshman in the box.
He got minimal contact with the ball, which was enough to nudge it past the goal line as Andre Onana helplessly tried to palm it away.
The goalkeeper has come under attack from fans on social media as they believe the former Ajax player should have been able to stop the ball; the criticism of the goalkeeper has increased in the past few weeks after a series of blunders leading up to the final.
And following United’s poor run of form this season, questions have been asked of Amorim, if he is the right man to lead the club.
Is Amorim the Answer to Manchester United’s Woes?
Since premier league legend Alex Ferguson stepped down as Head coach in 2013, United have chopped and changed managers and the appointment of Amorim on November 1 makes him the sixth since that period, interim managers excluded.
Before hiring Amorim as coach of United, he had been in charge of Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon since March 2020.
In his first year with the club, he led the team to a fourth-placed finish, giving a clear tactical identity and restoring stability after an incident whereby the fans attacked players and staff.
The following season, he achieved a historic feat, guiding Sporting to their first league title in 19 years with a 32-match unbeaten streak. That same season, he won Portuguese League Manager of the Year.
In the four years he spent as head coach of Sporting Lisbon, he won two Primeira Liga Titles (2020/21 and 2023/24), 2 League cups (2021 and 2022) and 1 Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (2021).
With all he had achieved, there were high hopes that he would replicate his successful stay in Lisbon at Manchester.
United Under Amorim: A Season of Struggles
His tenure has been full of challenges, from losing key centre-back Lisandro Martinez to exiting cup competitions and leading Man Utd to their worst-ever top-flight finish.
In 37 games so far this season, his team have gotten 39 points heading into the final game of the season, where they face Aston Villa in the last game.
After a 1-1 draw with Ipswich earlier in the season, the Portuguese opted for a surprise formation in a bid to turn things around for his club, yet the teams’ fortune remained bleak.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tottenham End 17-Year Trophy Drought – What’s Next for Spurs?
Manchester United’s Unwanted Records in the 2024/2025 Season
THE LOWEST POINTS TALLY: In the 2021/2022 season, the club finished in sixth position with a low points record of 58, but they are now on course to break it this season as they have 39 points with a game of the season left to play.
After a 3-1 loss to Brighton earlier in the season, Amorim made a statement of his Manchester United being the worst team in the history of the club.
MOST LEAGUE DEFEATS: A record of 18 league losses so far this season is the most accumulated defeat faced since the 1973/1974 relegation season (also 18 losses).
WORST LEAGUE POSITION: Since finishing in seventh place in the 2013/14 season with 64 points from 38 matches, United are in line to finish 16th on the table, depending on how the last game of the season plays out.
NEGATIVE GOAL DIFFERENCE: United’s -12 goal difference is a rare negative mark for the club after conceding 54 goals and scoring 42.
HOME DEFEATS: This season the club have suffered a joint nine home defeats in a single league campaign. The previous times were in the 1930/31, 1933/34 and 1962/63 seasons.
FEWEST GOALS SCORED: The 42 goals scored this season marks a new low for the club, falling short of the last record of 49 goals set in the 2021/22 season.
FALLING BEHIND AT HOME: This season, United have conceded the first goal 12 times at Old Trafford, the most in a single premier league campaign.
LONGEST WINLESS RUN: United set a record of seven games without a win this season, which matched their longest premier league winless steak since 1992.
These stats this season under Ruben Amorim reflects a team that is struggling and without cohesion. They have set unprecedented records and for this, fans are gradually losing trust in the Portuguese.
But for how long will Manchester United keep chopping and changing coaches before they get it right?
Some fans on social media urge patience for Ruben Amorim to fully implement his style, while others believe they have seen enough to judge his tenure.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Giuseppe Maffia
Recording Date: 21.05.2025