Manchester United concluded their disappointing season with a defeat on Wednesday, falling to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final. According to club legend Roy Keane, the match highlighted the persistent `lack of quality` that plagued their campaign.
The decisive goal arrived in the 42nd minute from Spurs` Brennan Johnson. However, the goal was made easier by poor defensive play from United. Defender Luke Shaw was ineffective, and goalkeeper Andre Onana arguably could have done better to prevent the somewhat fortunate strike.
Speaking after the match, Keane, the former United midfielder and now a pundit, stated: “I think the goal summed up the game – real lack of quality, poor decision-making from United at the end.”
Keane felt the superior team claimed victory. He added that Tottenham`s defensive strategy in the second half further exposed United`s long-standing weaknesses. Despite attempting only three shots in total, none after the goal, Spurs had a higher expected goals (xG) tally (1.01) than United (0.85), who took 16 shots.
Commenting on Spurs` approach, Keane remarked, “To start the second half, they set up shop early and it was obvious they were going to be defensive and they defended really well.” He continued, “United lacked real quality and United are depending on Harry Maguire to get them out of jail at the end of the game. It sums up their problem.”
Manchester United must now turn their attention to their final Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday. Heading into the last game, the team sits in 16th place, facing the possibility of finishing anywhere from 14th to 17th – a historically low position, as they have never finished below eighth in the Premier League era.
The defeat on Wednesday also confirms that Manchester United will not qualify for next season`s Champions League.
Dominic Ashworth