Europa League news: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United - Live Europa League Final reaction
On the evening of May 21, Tottenham Hotspur dramatically clinched Europa League glory to the dismay and despair of Ruben Amorim and Manchester United.
Both teams were set for torrid season reflections regardless, but it’s Spurs that walk off into the sunset with some credence in an otherwise disastrous season.
Vicariously through Sports News Blitz’s Vanely Barumire, relive all the fluctuating emotions on the night as a die-hard Red Devils fan in reverse chronological order.
Drama, shock, sorrow and triumph
Full-time - I’m done. The game is over. The season is over. I’m off to watch a Turkish show to drown my sorrows.
88:20 - I can’t believe I’m still watching this. There are no clear opportunities from United, and the only thing keeping me watching is the fact that there aren’t any new shows on Netflix to watch.
81:00 - I’m not even angry right now, I’m just disappointed. Manchester United is putting good plays together, but just can’t seem to find the back of the net.
The final piece of the puzzle is not there for United. I expected a lot more from my team.
74:00 - Why did he not start? Garnacho has barely been on the pitch and is looking more of a threat than Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund.
67:21 - What a clearance from Van de Ven! But Rasmus Højlund should have scored that.
54:20 - It’s not clicking for Manchester United. Guglielmo Vicario hasn’t had to do much in the second half. United needs a change and fast.
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Half-time reaction
I can’t believe it.
More possession, more shots on target, more passes and somehow we are losing in the first half.
How does that make sense… simple - No communication.
Crosses are being flown, and most times, there is no one on the other end of them.
United’s only three defenders can’t seem to talk to each other or the goalkeeper. Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund have not been a threat at all in the last 45 minutes.
Garnacho or Mainoo need to be subbed on.
First-half thoughts
31:00 - Ruben Amorim is looking to see where it all went wrong.
I said it before, it’s the communication between the defenders and Onana, there is none. Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro are just standing there, confused over what to do. This is a final for a place in the Champions League, fix up.
29:00 - Lovely skill from Amad. He is the best player on the pitch for Manchester United right now. The team and fans certainly missed him.
20:31 - This feels very much like a first-goal-wins kind of game. Whichever team can break through the other team’s defense is likely to lift the trophy.
13:00 - Oh my gosh! What just happened?
It’s like the whole United defence switched off.
A clearance looks difficult for Casemiro, who is a seasoned veteran in European finals. To add to that, no one is talking to each other in defense.
7:20 - United are pressing well and look confident on the ball. I love to see it. Come on, boys!
Kick-off/Predictions - United! United! Let’s go, boys!
Both Manchester United and Tottenham have had a terrible season, for sure, but Ruben Amorim’s team has been the better side in the Europa League and deserves the title.
United have to win, and they will.
My prediction is 2-1 to United, with Bruno Fernandes, Yoro or Amad scoring in the last 15 minutes to win the game.
As a Red Devil, I am confident that I will be seeing my team in the top flight of European football next year.
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