Tottenham defeated Manchester United at San Mamés in Bilbao 1-0 to lift their third Europa League trophy and secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Brennan Johnson scored just three minutes before half-time, and Manchester United could not get a goal back for the rest of the game.
Going into this game, Manchester United and Spurs needed to win to end a disappointing season on a high and secure UEFA Champions League qualification. Manchester United held a slight advantage because of Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis.
Although Spurs had already defeated Manchester United three times in the League and Cup this season, many still slightly favoured Rúben Amorim’s men on the night due to their record in the Europa League this season.
However, Tottenham Hotspur truly wanted it. Ange Postecoglou’s men came out strong from the first minute and refused to budge until the final whistle. They delivered a masterclass in defending and setting up a strong and efficient defensive block.
Resilient Spurs Shut Out Manchester United
The only goal of the game came through Tottenham’s resilience on the left. Bentancur drew players to himself with his run down the flank, and that allowed Pape Matar Sarr some time and space to whip in a cross into the box. Manchester United failed to clear the cross, and that gave Brennan Johnson the opportunity to make contact with the ball before it crept beyond Onana.
United failed to create quality chances against Tottenham’s aggressive defending and resorted to aerial balls. Their aerial approach almost worked when Vicario fumbled a delivery into the box that Rasmus Højlund headed on target.
However, Micky Van de Ven cleared the ball off the line rather spectacularly. United also had a good chance late on from a Luke Shaw header, but Vicario denied the Mancunians to help Tottenham seal their third Europa League trophy.
This defeat means Manchester United will not play in Europe next season and will finish just one or two places above the relegation zone.
