Manchester United, Already Down and Down Again

BILBAO, THURSDAY — The universe and everything within it feels like it is collapsing for the players, coaching staff, owners, and supporters of Manchester United. The failure in the Europa League final on Thursday (22/5/2025) at San Mames Stadium in Spain underscores the worst period for the "Red Devils" in the modern football era.

Reaching the final of the Europa League by facing Tottenham Hotspur almost became an oasis amid the barren landscape of poor performance during the 2024-2026 season. The team coached by Ruben Amorim arrived in Bilbao with an impressive record. They are the only unbeaten team in the Europa League this season.

However, a single goal from Spurs winger Brennan Johnson ended the Red Devils' hopes of securing a consolation and lifting the trophy and securing a ticket to the 2025-2026 Champions League. Old Trafford is certain not to be ringing out the European competition's anthem in midweek next season.

The defeat against Spurs seems to be a relentless blow. MU only has hopes of finishing at a maximum of 14th place. This is contingent upon their ability to overcome Aston Villa in the final match of the Premier League on Sunday (25/5/2025). Villa will be a tough opponent as they still aspire for a Champions League ticket.

The Spurs have become the second team to inflict four consecutive defeats on the Red Devils in a single season. Previously, Everton recorded a similar feat by performing superiorly against MU in the 1985-1986 season.

In addition to winning, MU needs to hope that the two teams above them, namely West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, fail to win in the final league match. If not, MU will remain in 16th place, just two positions above the relegation zone.

For the coaching staff led by Amorim, without the Champions League, the transformation of the squad will be difficult to execute smoothly. No star players are willing to join a club that is not participating in the most prestigious club competition.

The legendary name of the Red Devils can no longer serve as an attraction for players to join. On the other hand, the management led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe will also become increasingly stringent in releasing transfer funds due to the loss of potential income amounting to tens to hundreds of millions of pounds as a result of being absent from European competitions.

"We have two plans in the market (transfer). We must understand that there will be complicated situations for clubs like us not playing in the Champions League, but now we must find a way out of that situation," said Amorim at the press conference after the match, as reported by BBC.

Suffering will also be experienced by MU supporters. They will face an increase in ticket prices, both for season passes and individual tickets. The price hike has been announced in line with the new policy from Ratcliffe.

This situation is certainly a severe blow for the supporters of the Red Devils who strive to demonstrate eternal loyalty. However, they must dig deeper into their pockets as Old Trafford is no longer a magnet for metal-laden trophies.

Rio Ferdinand, the former central defender of MU, believes that Amorim still deserves full support from the club's management. According to him, the Portuguese tactician arrived in a rather complicated situation.

"The club has to give Ruben (Amorim) their full support. Give him the players he needs. In his first season, he came in with a style of play that had nothing to do with his predecessors and didn't prepare the team through pre-season," Ferdinand told TNT Sports.

Ferdinand highlighted Amorim's idea of consistently employing three parallel defenders. According to Ferdinand, this tactical change is not easy to implement in the midst of an ongoing season.

The performance in this season's Europa League has been a breath of fresh air for the Amorim regime. MU has become the most productive team with a total of 35 goals; recorded the highest possession rate at 58.3 percent, including the final match with 73 percent ball possession; went through 14 matches before the final without a loss; and Bruno Fernandes has emerged as the top scorer with a record of seven goals.

"I have known this club, I understand what it means to be a coach here. And, I understand what this team needs. We see progress, although we often suffer poor results due to failures in anticipating small details," said Amorim, who is 40 years old.

Amorim emphasized that he will not leave the club unless the management asks him to do so. He is optimistic about being able to bring significant changes and provide smiles to MU supporters in his second season at Old Trafford.

"I am confident that I am still the right person, more than since the beginning. I know that the supporters' patience will bear fruit in the next season. I guarantee that I will not leave the club as long as no one asks me to step down," said Amorim, who has recorded only a 36 percent win rate from 41 matches managing MU.

Right-back of MU, Diogo Dalot, hopes that the failures this season will serve as a moment for all elements of the club to make improvements. He is saddened by the inability to bring joy to the supporters after witnessing the Red Devils play inconsistently throughout this season.

"This is the time for reflection; everyone needs introspection. When it is time to make a decision, then make a decision. When it is time to act, act. When we are on the field, our only thought is to win the match. I think that is the main change that needs to happen," said Dalot as reported on the club's website.