Nottingham Forest News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

PA Images/Alamy Images

Defiant Ruben Amorim refuses to give Tottenham credit as Manchester United crumble in Bilbao

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated May 21, 2025 9:33 PM ET

United lost the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham as the London side get their hands on a silverware finally

Thousands of Manchester United fans were clinging to one last hope. Despite a disastrous year in the Premier League, in which the team have been stuck in 16th place, the Europa League offered some respite. Bilbao was the setting: a vibrant city, the perfect contrast to a drab campaign. The opposition inspired no fear: Tottenham, another English club mired in doubt and with no track record in major European competition. For many, the continental tournament was the salvation that could wash away an embarrassing season. United went into the final unbeaten, with equal parts of excitement and anxiety.

But that enthusiasm vanished in the 42nd minute. Brennan Johnson, the only consistent bright spot in Tottenham’s inconsistent run of form, scored his 18th goal of the season. From that moment on, United were a team caught between need and panic. They tried sideways crosses, open players on the flanks, and even the centre-backs advanced forward.

Defiant Ruben Amorim refuses to give Tottenham credit as Manchester United crumble in Bilbao

The reaction was chaotic and without clear direction. At the end of the match, Ruben Amorim did not want to give credit to the rival. The coach, who arrived midway through the campaign, insisted that his team was superior in the way the game unfolded, although he acknowledged his own mistakes. His stance was defiant, perhaps too defiant.

“I was always really honest with you guys. We did not perform well today, but we were better than the opponent. In the second half, we tried everything with the centre defenders players wide, crosses, going inside the box. I think today was not the day. We were not perfect, we have a lot to improve, but I am always honest with you guys.”

Both teams have been equally sluggish in the league. Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League without convincing anyone, while United sailed through their worst campaign since relegation in ’74, finishing 16th so far in 37 matches. Neither shone, but the London side did do the bare minimum at the key moment. In a lacklustre final in Europe, whoever made the fewest mistakes won, and that, like it or not, deserves credit. Amorim is wrong to deny credit to a team that, despite having neither history nor aura, did show cool heads.

More Manchester United News:

For United, the blow goes beyond the result. Without European football next season, the club loses clout in the transfer market. Many dream names are unlikely to want to join a team without continental competition. Planning becomes more complicated. Amorim needs to review his discourse, start by taking the blame and build from there. The Portuguese coach has shown character, but lacks self-criticism. It’s not just about keeping the faith; it’s about having a proper plan, and now the margin for error has been drastically reduced.

You can look at this defeat from another angle. Perhaps it will serve to nip a dead phase in the bud and make way for real reconstruction. Without European commitments, Amorim will be able to concentrate on a smaller squad, with more time to train, test ideas and polish automatisms. The lack of midweek tournaments may be a blessing in disguise, but only if the club comes to terms with reality and works honestly. United needs committed players, a coaching staff that doesn’t sugarcoat defeats, and clear decisions from the board. Tottenham, with all their limitations, lifted a cup. That is undeniable. Amorim can say what he wants, but the scoreboard speaks. And if he doesn’t listen to the result, the noise of failure will follow him all summer.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: