And so a dreadful campaign ends in limp fashion. After enjoying an unbeaten run in the Europa League heading into Wednesday’s final, Manchester United failed to turn up when it mattered most.
For a side that conjured nights like those against Lyon, there was to be no fightback this time around, with Ruben Amorim’s men meekly crumbling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Premier League foes, Tottenham Hotspur.
A largely scrappy encounter was ultimately settled by an inevitably scruffy goal as Brennan Johnson somehow managed to prod the ball home from close range just before the break, with United unable to make any inroads up against a stubborn Spurs backline.
There was to be no Bruno Fernandes magic this time around. No Harry Maguire heroics at the death. The Red Devils once again proved that Premier League opposition is their kryptonite.
While it remains to be seen what the future lies in store for victorious coach, Ange Postecoglou, his young counterpart, meanwhile, will have to pick up the pieces of a wholly forgettable 2024/25 season, one which now won’t end in Champions League qualification.
The Portuguese coach – who himself is certainly not free from blame – will now be left to ponder just where he goes from here. Or more importantly, which of his players deserve to come along for the ride.
Rasmus Hojlund's game in numbers vs Spurs
It’s worth stating that no one of a United persuasion stepped up when needed, with even the typically talismanic Fernandes enduring a real off night, losing the ball on 27 occasions, including in the build-up to the game’s decisive strike.
That said, the 30-year-old has so often been the man to rely upon this season, as his 38 goals and assists can attest to. He can’t do it alone.
A notable issue for Amorim and a side who have failed to score in 15 league games in 2024/25 is the lack of a clinical centre-forward, with young Rasmus Hojlund again firing a blank.
While this was certainly not the Dane’s worst performance of the campaign, having seen one headed effort cleared off the line in spectacular fashion by Micky van de Ven, the 22-year-old was largely anonymous otherwise.
Indeed, the former Atalanta man – who boasts just ten goals in all competitions this season – recorded just 15 touches in total, again looking like a bystander to proceedings.
Minutes played
71
Touches
15
Shots on target
1
Shots off target
1
Key passes
1
Pass accuracy
83%
Possession lost
4
Total duels won
4/9
Fouls won
3
While rarely is the misfiring marksman gifted chances by his teammates, he appears incapable of creating anything for himself, with a change seemingly needed in that striking department this summer.
The reported Serie A target isn’t alone in potentially needing a change of scenery ahead of next season, with Wednesday also showcasing why Luke Shaw must call time on his Old Trafford journey.
Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore
Why Amorim needs to sell Luke Shaw
It is remarkable to think that the Englishman has now spent 11 years in Manchester, following his arrival as a teenager back in the summer of 2014, with the long-serving full-back still actually having two years left to run on his existing deal at the club.
Chalkboard
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On the evidence of the last 18 months or so, the decision to hand the 29-year-old a contract extension in 2023 has certainly backfired, not least due to his repeated stints on the sidelines.
Even upon his return in recent months, the versatile defender has looked distinctly off the pace, notably giving away a penalty in the chaotic thriller against Lyon, while also scoring an own goal against Brentford, before being replaced at the break.
As for the meeting in Bilbao, Shaw was somewhat fortunate to last beyond the opening 45 minutes, let alone see out the whole game, having looked shaky from the outset in his left centre-back berth.
As journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted, the experienced asset ‘started slugglishly’ and simply ‘should not have started’ in the first place, even with Amorim’s options limited due to the absence of Matthijs de Ligt.
In all, the 4/10 dud – as awarded by Luckhurst – won just a solitary duel on the night, having also failed to provide a single key pass, while successfully completing just one of his attempted crosses.
The England international did come close to equalising at the death, only to see his header expertly saved by the sprawling Guglielmo Vicario, although that was a rare bright moment from an otherwise shoddy showing.
An injury-hit high-earner – raking in a reported £150k-per-week – it is coming to the stage now where Shaw appears to have outstayed his welcome. Yes, his flexibility at centre-back and left wing-back is an asset to Amorim, but rarely has he been a figure to rely upon.
With a vital summer now approaching, amid the need to rip up this struggling squad, Shaw should well be among those shown the door after over a decade of service.
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