Manchester United failed to get over the line in yet another Europa League final, this time losing to Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 on Wednesday.
Premier League teams have been the Red Devils’ biggest nemesis all season, and it once again proved to be the case at the San Mames stadium.
Ruben Amorim’s bizarre selection calls did not help matters, with Alejandro Garnacho benched, while Rasmus Hojlund once again started despite being dismal all season.
The Dane put in another horrible display while the call to start Luke Shaw at the back also backfired, with the Englishman at fault for the only goal conceded on the night.
Luke Shaw was poor
He was poor in his marking of Brennan Johnson while his passing radar was off on the night. Given his injury record, and poor recent form, it was a surprise to see him start ahead of Victor Lindelof and Ayden Heaven.
Shaw was blunt in his assessment after the match, saying that the players need to take a long and hard look at themselves and ask whether they deserve to play for the greatest club in the world.
“”For a club like Manchester United, it’s nowhere near good enough,” said Shaw.
“I think definitely me, and I think all of us have to question ourselves tonight, are we good enough to be here? Because this club, this season, it’s not acceptable.”
The left-back also admitted that a lot has to change at the club but he backed Amorim to bring back the glory days of the club, terming him as the right man to take the club forward.
“It’s going to be a very difficult process, us as players, we’ve let a lot of people down, including Ruben. I will say it again, we’ve been nowhere near good enough the whole season.
“A lot has to change, it’s clear to see. That’s why I say Ruben is 100 per cent the right person. He knows what is to be done at this club, I believe he will do everything to make that change and put Manchester back at the top.”
Luke Shaw offers Amorim support
“I can say 100 per cent right now he’s the right man. Results have not been good at all. I’ve been here for a long time now and been through different managers. Ruben, for me, I talk on my behalf and I can talk on behalf of all the players, he is 100 per cent the right manager to take us back to where this club should be.”
Shaw apologised to the fans and thanked them for their incredible support all throughout what has been a disastrous season.
“I think the fans? I understand that right now they are going to be annoyed. And rightly so. But all I can say is thank you so much for the support.
“Everywhere we go, including where we are in the table, the results we’ve had this year, they’ve always still been there.”
Whether Luke Shaw remains at the club beyond this season remains doubtful. INEOS want him gone given his availability and wages, but it will not be easy to shift him, much like a lot of other players.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
