It was a night to forget for several reasons on Wednesday as far as Manchester United were concerned. Even though they have one game of the Premier League campaign left to play, defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao all but ended the Red Devils’ campaign, given Ruben Amorim’s side no longer have any available route into European competition.
It was a dire end to a dismal season for United, who were just six points off the top five when Erik ten Hag was sacked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS executives last year. Fast forward seven months, United trail fifth-placed Chelsea by 27 points and are yet to hit the 40-point mark themselves.
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Despite boasting the overwhelming majority of possession against Spurs, United did little with the ball and made it easy for the north Londoners to defend against. At times, United gave off the impression of a side pulling in different directions, which unseen footage from Wednesday’s clash seems to suggest they might’ve been.
A social media clip recorded during the match in northern Spain shows United duo Andre Onana and Casemiro confronting each other shortly after the ball went out of play for a Spurs corner. Onana could be seen giving his team-mate an earful, with the Brazilian not taking well to the goalkeeper’s criticism.
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It’s impossible to know exactly what the pair are mouthing off about, but given Tottenham are gearing up to take a corner, it’s possible Onana is asking the midfielder to switch on. Whatever the reason was, Casemiro certainly didn’t like being told what to do by the shot-stopper, who has now lost all three European finals he’s played in.
It comes ahead of an uncertain summer at Old Trafford, with plenty of change expected within the ranks. That could involve moving on one, or even both, of Onana and Casemiro, as United look to rebuild their squad without the added bonus of Champions League riches.
Having last competed in the competition two years ago, United’s now two-season (at least) hiatus from the Champions League will mark their longest absence from Europe’s top table since the competition rebranded in 1992. However, United defender Luke Shaw has insisted Amorim is the man to lead them forward, regardless of their shortcomings this term.
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Speaking to the BBC after the Spurs loss, he explained: “We're rock bottom now and we have to find the way to drag ourselves back. I can say 100 per cent right now that [Ruben Amorim] is the right man. I know results have not been good at all.
"I've been here for a long time now and I've been through different managers but Ruben, for me, I talk on my behalf and I'm sure I can talk on behalf of all the players, Ruben is 100 per cent the right manager to take us back where this club should be."