For Manchester United, The Lost Europa League Final is more than a Missed Title. The Entire Club is worried about its future.
The 2024/25 season ends for Manchester United with another setback – and potentially long-term consequences. Following the 0-1 defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, there is disillusionment among the Red Devils.
Not only because the title was missed, but also because of the sporting and financial consequences – and a team that disappointed once again.
The atmosphere at Manchester United is Gloomy After the Lost Europa League Final
Club legend Roy Keane found clear words at CBS Sports: “Throughout the season they were so easy to beat. […] Ultimately, it’s not good enough.”
Frustration over personnel decisions
Alejandro Garnacho, who had previously been regularly used in the Europa League, caused additional explosive. In the final, however, he was replaced by Mason Mount and was substituted in late. After the game, he vented his anger.
“Until the final I played in every round to help the team. Then comes the final and I only play 20 minutes?”, asked the young Argentinian resignedly in the mixed zone.
Even before the game, Garnacho had criticized his coach’s decision between the lines with an Instagram post. The 20-year-old shared two pictures on the net shortly before the announcement of the team line-up.
The pictures show his heroic deeds in the FA Cup final and in the Community Shield in the past twelve months. British media saw this as a hidden reaction to Garnacho’s non-nomination for the starting eleven.
Amorim Offers Resignation
Head coach Ruben Amorim explained after the game that Garnacho’s performance against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final second leg contributed to his decision to let Mason Mount play from the start in the final.
At the same time, Amorim caused a stir at the press conference with an offer of resignation. “If the board and the fans think that I am not the right one, I will leave the next day without talking about severance pay,” explained the coach.
Club Misses Out on over 100 million euros
Due to the missed Champions League ticket, which would have existed in the event of a final victory, United will miss out on more than 100 million euros in revenue. The financial impact affects not only squad planning, but also personnel.
In the spring, the club officially announced that, subject to a consultation process with employees, around 150 to 200 jobs could be cut. Around 250 jobs had already been cut in the traditional club in 2024.
The mood at the internal public viewing in the trendy pub “Diecast” in Manchester was correspondingly tense.
When the club co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Avram Glazer appeared on the screen, according to The athletic, there were boos from the employee and family circle. The mood remained subdued even after the final whistle.
Desired Player Prohably No Longer Affordable
Sporting, the bankruptcy also immensely influences the planning for the summer. Desired players like Viktor Gyökeres, Benjamin Šeško or Liam Delap are probably no longer affordable. Amorim confirmed: “We have two plans for the market.”
In the British Sun, names like Lorenzo Lucca, Mateo Retegui, Moise Kean and Jean-Philippe Mateta are already circulating as alternatives – all players who do not belong to the top category.
Captain Fernandes Offers his sale
Captain Bruno Fernandes also made it clear after the lost final that staying is not a matter of course – even a move to Saudi Arabia seems conceivable:
“I have always been honest. If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to make money – then so be it. Football is sometimes like that.”
At the beginning of the month it became known that the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal was ready to pay Fernandes almost 200 million pounds for a three-year contract.
United at Rock Bottom
What remains is one of the darkest seasons in the club’s history. No title, even only a Premier League place in the rear midfield, a broken relationship with the fan base – and a coach who even offers his departure.
Instead of dreaming of re-entering Europe’s premier class, Manchester United faces another new beginning in the summer of 2025. And this time under the most difficult conditions.