Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and all the other stars from Manchester United grumbled their silver medals, the pictures of the cheering football heroes from Tottenham Hotspur could hardly stand them. Instead of saving a terrible season with the Europa League title, United stands in front of a pile of broken glass after the 0: 1 (0: 1) in the “Battle of Bilbao”.
“This is very hard for us and our fans. We have to concentrate on the future,” said frustrated United team manager Ruben Amorim. The traditional club, which the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson brought in the stands, did not have luck, has to reinvent itself after this painful end of a terrible season.
The bankruptcy against Tottenham was already the 20th defeat this season across competition, and United recently received more with 22 in the 1973/74 season – at that time the club relegated.
There was therefore also criticism of the Red Devils on the island. “This is the crowning glory of an absolute horror season for Manchester United,” wrote the “BBC”: “They are two places ahead of the relegation zone, in 16th place in the Premier League. No trophies this season. No European football next season.” And The “Sun” said: “United lacked hunger, quality and passion to get the trophy into the hands.”
TV expert Rio Ferdinand, who won the Champions League with United, among other things in 2008: “A catastrophic season that ends with a bad grade. But I don’t think Manchester did enough to earn the title. You can’t expect to win a trophy if you play so reserved.”