Tottenham Hotspurs 1
Man Utd 0
The big day finally arrived. Both teams approached this final as a season-saver and I expected that both sets of players would be up for it. Sadly, for the United supporters including those of us who flooded the Greek Theatre at Ta’Qali to create a rather unique atmosphere, our players did not really rise for the occasion. And I am going to go straight to the point here and I know that some supporters will not agree with me – I think the manager got it all wrong!
Given that he probably had to start with Onana, as the alternative has not proved great (and I would still have played Bayindir) but starting with a half-fit Shaw in defence and Mount and Hojlund was a huge risk. The risk did not pay off as it was a poor first half. Spurs did absolutely nothing to deserve the lead but they went ahead in the 42nd minute with a fluke goal. Shaw managed the cross in the worst possible way and as the ball ricocheted off his body, Onana was slow to react and let the ball squeeze in at the right post. Not saying it was Onana’s fault, but go and watch it in slow-motion and see how slow and uncoordinated his moves are in trying to keep it out. In any case, we conceded, 1-0 and HT and the plan was not working. Amorim should have made at least one change at that point possibly two, removing the invisible Mount and Hojlund. He waited till the 71st minute to introduce Garnacho and Zirkzee and from that moment we had Spurs in the corner but we simply ran out of time – also because their keeper did what decent keepers do – kept the United shots out!
Dalot on with 5 minutes to go and even worse Mainoo on at 90 minutes did not make sense in my book. We needed the changes earlier to give ourselves more time to get an equaliser. Spurs won the Europe League without even having a decent shot on target and we have only ourselves to blame. It was the third game in a row in which we did not score and therein lies the big problem.
The season is now over, and although I am bitterly disappointed, the fact that we will not have any European nights next season should help Amorim focus on the EPL. Getting the right players might be a problem now and Amorim’s job has got harder but he has nowhere to hide now. He knows that he will have to deliver better football and better results come August – with the players that he will have available and whatever system he opts for! Fast forward next Monday and this horrible season will be over…Numquam Moribimur!
