Tottenham end trophy drought in Europa League final as Ruben Amorim admits Man United sack is possible - reaction
Tottenham 1-0 Man United: A scrappy first-half goal was enough for Spurs to salvage a dire season with a first trophy since 2008
Tottenham Hotspur salvaged their season and delivered vindication for Ange Postecoglou as they defeated Manchester United 1-0 in a dismal Europa League final in Bilbao to claim a first trophy in 17 years.
United and Spurs showed exactly why they lie 16th and 17th in the Premier League table as they produced a low-quality affair and the only goal of the game reflected that perfectly. Just before the break, a combination of Brennan Johnson and Luke Shaw contrived to bundle the ball into the corner of the net.
Spurs required a spectacular goal-line clearance from defender Micky van de Ven as they defended doggedly in the second half, with the result delighting boss Postecoglou who said he always believed Tottenham would live up to his claim of “always winning a trophy in his second season”.
United, meanwhile, face a difficult rebuild with no Champions League football to finances their summer transfer plans. Ruben Amorim admitted afterwards that he would not ask for compensation if United decide to go in a different direction, but he vowed not to quit despite United’s worst season in 50 years.
Relive all the Europa League final action, including updates from our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney, with our live blog below:
Why was Brennan Johnson credited with Tottenham’s winning goal?
Brennan Johnson will go down in history as the winning goalscorer in Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph - even though it appeared that Manchester United defender Luke Shaw got the final touch.
Spurs ended their 17-year trophy drought and delivered success as they defeated Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao. The final was low of quality, with the winning goal proving a fitting end to a scrappy affair.
Tottenham won’t care, though, with their winning moment coming shortly before half time. Pape Matar Sarr’s cross from the right was met by Johnson though the forward’s touch went straight into Shaw and bounced towards the line.
Why was Brennan Johnson credited with Tottenham’s winning goal?
Which English clubs have qualified for Europe? Full breakdown after Europa League final
Tottenham Hotspur booked themselves a Champions League spot for the 2025/26 season as they battled past Manchester United 1-0 in a low-quality Europa League final.
That means there will be a record six Premier League teams in Europe’s top-tier competition next term, with Europa League and Conference League spots also up for grabs.
Which English clubs have qualified for Europe? Breakdown after Europa League final
Ruben Amorim will not ask for compensation if sacked by Man United
Ruben Amorim said he would not ask for any compensation if Manchester United to decide to sack him following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
Amorim also told TNT Sports that he is more confident than ever that he is the right man to lead United but accepted others might have a different opinion.
"Yes, I am confident I am still the guy, more than the beginning.
"I know the patience of the fans is going to be really short in the next season but I guarantee you I will not quit. I will not go away, I am really confident.
"I'm not worried about that. If they (the club) say 'Ruben, it is better to change' I will leave the next day with no compensation.
"I rely so much on my confidence I am not worried about that. The biggest pain is to lose the game and lose this final, not to give something to the fans and my players.
"I am really confident with myself and I will continue to do my job if the board wants me.”
Inept Man Utd have many problems but improving this one area must be the priority
As emotion poured from Ange Postecoglou in a heartwarming sight on the San Mames turf, Manchester United’s dejected players, stood, to a man, as desolate figures.
There was no consoling of friends. Nobody offering a shoulder to cry on. Just underperforming, inept footballers alone with their thoughts.
Top of their concerns, other than a handful of more useful assets, is how they can go about convincing their employers to keep them for another season after limping to a 20th defeat of the campaign against Tottenham in their Bilbao or bust Europa League final. Or whether, in fact, they actually want to stay.
Inept Man Utd have many problems but improving one area must be the priority
Tottenham vs Man United player ratings
Tottenham ended their 17-year trophy drought as they defeated Manchester United to win the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Spurs delivered victory for Ange Postecoglou in the all-or-nothing clash as Brennan Johnson forced in a scrappy winning goal before half time.
Tottenham were resilient defensively as they held onto their lead, with Micky van de Ven producing the standout moment with an acrobatic goal-line clearance.
But Tottenham will not care and can now celebrate a season-saving trophy, as well as qualification for next year’s Champions League.
Tottenham vs Man Utd player ratings as Van de Ven stars in Europa League final
Son Heung Min left empty-handed after Uefa run out of Europa League medals for Tottenham
Son Heung Min was left empty-handed moments before the Tottenham Hotspur captain got his hands on the Europa League trophy when Uefa ran out of medals.
The Spurs captain was last among teammates walking up to the stage to celebrate after their 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao.
But as Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin continued to hand out trophies, he could be seen discussing with colleagues the eventual issue.
Eventually Ceferin handed over the last remaining medal to Yves Bissouma, before Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero followed.
Son Heung Min left empty-handed after Uefa run out of Europa League medals
Will Tottenham Hotspur have a trophy parade after winning Europa League?
Tottenham Hotspur secured one of the greatest nights in their history with Europa League glory after a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao.
Spurs triumphed in the San Mames thanks to a scruffy goal from Brennan Johnson, sparking scenes of jubilation and confirming a trophy in Ange Postecoglou’s second season, just as he had vowed months earlier.
Tottenham’s testing Premier League campaign, which has seen them lose 20 times, concludes on Sunday against Brighton, with the Seagulls still pushing for the points and a shot at European football.
Despite Spurs sitting in 17th, they can look forward to Champions League football next season.
Will Tottenham have a trophy parade after winning Europa League?
Luke Shaw questions Man United squad after Europa League final defeat: ‘Are we good enough?’
Luke Shaw says the whole squad need to consider whether they are good enough to play for Manchester United as the long-serving defender apologised to fans for a miserable end to their wretched season.
Asked to sum things up after the worst possible end to a horrible season, the England international said: “I think how you just said it.
“It’s hard to put into words the season, but I think for a club like Manchester United, it’s not really good enough.
“I think definitely me and I think all of us have to question ourselves tonight. Are we good enough to be here? Because this club, this season, it’s not acceptable.
“We know that and it’s down to us. So, like I said, I think it’s really tough to take.
“It’s hard to say anything else really apart from what I’ve just said. I think we have to look at ourselves. Something has to change.”
Bruno Fernandes admits Man United may have to sell him after Europa League final defeat
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has no intention of leaving this summer but admitted the club could end up cashing in on him following the damaging Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
The 30-year-old has been a rare shining light in a dreadful season at Old Trafford, but even his star was dimmed in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to fellow Premier League strugglers Spurs in Bilbao.
Fernandes has recently been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, leading head coach Ruben Amorim to stress United should try to keep “one of the top players in the world”.
“I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go,” Fernandes said. “I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club to great days.
“In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.
“If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cash in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”
Bruno Fernandes admits Man United may have to sell him
Why Ange Postecoglou could still leave Tottenham despite ending trophy drought
It was the moment that Tottenham had been waiting for. That wasn't a trophy, though, since Ange Postecoglou had already just delivered that.
It was how he would would mark it, at least with the media. Brennan Johnson, in effect the match-winner, had already set it up.
“I will be looking forward to his interview,” Johnson said. “If ever there was a moment for a mic drop it is now.”
Except, it didn’t come. The trophy lift was sufficient. Postecoglou, just like in the whole Europa League campaign, adapted.
But, amid this general celebration, some more layered analysis is due.
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