Europa League

HE TOLD us so. Big Ange Postecoglou told us that he always wins a trophy in his second season. And even though it was a statement of fact, we laughed at him, we sneered and we wondered why he’d made such a bold statement when he was the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, London’s long-running comedy club. Brennan Johnson’s scrappy goal just before half-time broke the deadlockCredit: GettyThe ball bounced up off Luke Shaw’s arm and spun into the net as Johnson swung a boot at itCredit: PAJohnson took in the acclaim from his Tottenham team-matesCredit: APAnge Postecoglou celebrated wildly with his coaching staff in the dugoutCredit: GettyJohnson was all smiles as he helped Spurs end their trophy droughtCredit: GettyPostecoglou with his second-season trophy – the one he always wins, mateCredit: PASon became the first Tottenham captain to lift a trophy in 17 yearsCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou delivered a trophy in his second season, as he promisedCredit: GettyBut after a terrible match, between two terrible teams, settled by a terrible goal, Postecoglou has done it again – winning silverware in his second season, just as he’s done with five different clubs as well as Australia’s national team. Brennan Johnson’s scruffy winner, which looked like a Shaw own goal, was enough to settle a Europa League final which resembled a relegation dogfight between the two clubs hovering over the Premier League’s drop zone.And so Tottenham – no sniggering at the back – are in the Champions League. Big Ange is highly unlikely to join them here. He sounded like a man who knew his fate before this match. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA shocking campaign of 21 league defeats is almost certain to earn the Aussie his P45. Conversely, Ruben Amorim looks like remaining in charge of Manchester United despite a season of untold misery which wasn’t even afforded a silver lining. The Portuguese has so far proven a significant downgrade on predecessor Erik ten Hag, who won trophies in both of his seasons at Old Trafford and never plunged towards the bottom of the table either. A flying goal-line clearance from Micky van de Ven denied Rasmus Hojlund an equaliser but that was as good as it got for a United who dominated possession but showed precious little class. Most read in Europa LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe bald truth is that United are one of the worst five teams in the top flight and will not be playing in Europe next season. Their hopes of a major summer rebuild have been badly by this defeat – both financially and reputationally. Spurs fans in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium go wild as Brennan Johnson fires Lilywhites ahead vs Man United in Europa League final It wasn’t as if Postecoglou’s side rolled out any classic Angeball. We were not entertained by a conservative, defensive display. But after a first trophy in 17 years, since the unloved Juande Ramos guided them to the 2008 League Cup, none of the travelling army of Tottenham fans were bothered. Like Newcastle and Crystal Palace before them, they have ended a long drought for glory in a season of unlikely Cup winners. This was the baddest Cup final on the planet, a battle to discover English football’s tallest midgets. Would Uefa replace the Europa League anthem with the theme to the Muppet Show? Postcecoglou had called out a journalist who claimed he’d be a clown if Spurs were beaten but the farce factor was high on a night when two bunches of serial losers scrapped it out for one of football’s greatest prizes.  Amorim handed a surprise start to Mason Mount – who had started Champions League and Euros finals in the past – benching Alejandro Garnacho.Postecoglou, meanwhile, preferred Richarlison to club captain Son Heung-Min. Any pre-match predictions felt like attempts to nail a jellyfish to the wall. There had simply been no precedent for an occasion like this. Man Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depthAMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men…Still, despite the formbook, they had invaded Bilbao – many of them Phileas Fogging it around Europe to reach the Basque Country. It felt as if we were waiting to find out who would do something extremely silly first. And it was Harry Maguire’s poor pass which allowed Johnson to rob Shaw and have an angled shot pushed out by Andre Onana.Next, Guglielmo Vicario flapped at a corner and Amad Diallo drilled wide across goal.It was anxious, low-grade stuff with occasional outbreaks of quality – Diallo’s darting dribbles, Mount with some pleasing reminders of his class, Richarlison showing energy.But largely speaking, it was living down to expectations. Spurs were not in a ‘to dare is to do’ mode, refusing to commit too many bodies forward. So when the opener arrived, there was little surprise that it was a scruffy own goal. Pape Matar Sarr centred from the left and the ball glanced off Johnson, then cannoned off Shaw’s arm before it spun past a flailing Onana. Tottenham ratings: Bissouma dominates Europa League final as occasion gets to UdogieBRENNAN JOHNSON was Tottenham’s hero as they finally ended their 17-year trophy drought in the Europa League final.Despite being without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for the clash in Bilbao, Spurs came up with a massive win against Manchester United.Johnson scored the goal as he helped bundle in from a corner in a tussle with Luke Shaw to send fans into dreamland.But Spurs also owe a huge thanks to Yves Bissouma who was totally dominant in midfiend.At the other end, Destiny Udogie struggled to get up to the pace of the match as he was up against Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.Spurs had just three shots, only 27 per cent of the ball, and completed a mere 115 passes over 90 minutes.But it didn’t matter, as United never really looked like finding a leveller to take it to extra time.SunSport’s Henry Tomlinson gave his ratings for the Tottenham players…It was just the sort of goal you’d have imagined this contest might throw up. But the travelling Spurs fans couldn’t give a stuff. Their team were roared off at the break.United started the second half with a slick attacking move which ended, predictably, with Hojlund miscuing a header horribly. The match shambled along, even Bruno Fernandes continually gifting possession. On a Spurs break, Destiny Udogie fed Dominic Solanke, who completely missed his kick when he had a clear sight of goal. Richarlison decided it was time for a nice lie-down in the middle of the pitch as Spurs attempted to run down the clock, and was replaced by Son.  At this point, Amorim called a spontaneous time-out, imploring his team to maybe string two or three passes together. Casemiro punted a free-kick into the box, Vicario and Solanke went for the same ball and, from Hojlund’s header, Van de Ven produced an outstanding acrobatic clearance, connecting with his right shin. Finally, Amorim sent for Garnacho, in place of Mount and Joshua Zirkzee for Hojlund.And Garnacho instantly livened things up, darting down the left, cutting inside and pinging a shot which Vicario pushed away. Here, at least, was a sense of urgency about United.   Maguire moved to centre-forward, as he tends to do when things get desperate.Read More on The SunBut there was no way through Tottenham’s white wall.Big Ange always does it. He always win his second season. Even when that second season is his last.Micky van de Ven produced a superb acrobatic clearance off the line at 1-0Credit: GettyAmad Diallo was a threat down the United rightCredit: AFPSir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Alex Ferguson sat next to each other in the standsCredit: GettyNeither goalkeeper looked convincingCredit: APManchester United’s pain was clear to see as they missed out on European footballCredit: GettyRuben Amorim watched on helpless from the sidelinesCredit: GettyTensions boiled over late on between Kevin Danso and Joshua ZirkzeeCredit: ReutersGuglielmo Vicario made some important saves as Spurs clung onCredit: ReutersAndre Onana went up for a corner right at the endCredit: APUnited’s pain was clear to seeCredit: GettyCristian Romero was crowned Player Of The MatchCredit: GettyDaniel Levy congratulated his manager on the pitchCredit: Getty More

FANS couldn’t quite believe who Sir Alex Ferguson was sat next to as he watched the Europa League final from the stands in Bilbao.Ferguson, 83, showed his support for the club he managed for 26 years a Manchester United took on Tottenham in the all-English European bout – but was left bitterly disappointed by a 1-0 defeat.Fans couldn’t believe that Sir Alex Ferguson was sat next to Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the Europa League finalCredit: PAFerguson and Ratcliffe were next to Avram Glazer tooCredit: GettySpurs chief Daniel Levy and Uefa boss Aleksander Ceferin sat on the same row tooCredit: TNT SportsMAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions The legendary manager was attending his final away game as a paid ambassador for United, following the announcement he was being axed from his lucrative role in October.That brutal axing was part of cost-cutting measures implemented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe – which made fans even more confused when they saw Ferguson sat next to the club’s minority owner at the game. On social media, one wrote: “So the Glazers and Ratcliffe took away free tickets and sacked Fergie, now he’s sat next to them at the final?”While another added: “Why is Fergie sitting next to Sir Jim and the Glazers?”READ MORE ON MAN UTDA third commented: “Glazers, Ratcliffe and Sir Alex Ferguson in one frame.”And a fourth posted: “This makes me sick to my stomach”.Sir Jim Ratcliffe axed Ferguson from his paid role at Man Utd in OctoberCredit: GettyJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordFans were just as upset that Ferguson was so close to the Avram Glazer, whose family remains majority owners of the club despite Ratcliffe’s control of footballing matters.It was Ratcliffe’s brutal cost-cutting measures that saw Ferguson’s paid role axed back in October.Most read in FootballMan Utd & Spurs supporters party all day in Bilbao’s fan zones ahead of Europa League finalThe legendary Scottish manager had to wave goodbye to a £2.16m-per-year salary as a result, with the decision kicking in at the end of the current season.Which means his attendance at the Europa League final tonight is his last away game as a club ambassador on the payroll.Sir Alex had certainly been enjoying his trip to the Basque Country, stopping by Bilbao’s San Mames stadium before the match to visit Athletic Club officials.He even took the time to sign a match ball and pennant in the hallways of the ground from Athletic’s 2011/12 victory over United in the Europa League round of 16.But that enjoyment ended as he watched United’s dismal season end in a defeat at the hands of Spurs.Brennan Johnson scored Tottenham’s only shot on target and ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for a trophy to defeat United 1-0.Ferguson seems he has put any bad blood from his axing in the past as he chatted away to Ratcliffe in the stands.Ferguson wasn’t the only victim of Ratcliffe and Ineos’ brutal cost-cutting measures. The billionaire Brit and his company cut costs by announcing nearly 500 redundancies at the Premier League giants.Other more marginal financial savings have been made by scrapping free meals for Old Trafford staff, cancelling the staff Christmas party and stopping access to private chauffeurs and company credit cards.While the United execs also decided against offering their employees free tickets to the Europa League final – instead hosting a watching party back in the UK.Despite the mass cost-cutting, United announced in March plans to build a brand new £2billion 100,000-seat stadium in the near future.Read More on The SunAll this has coincided with United’s worst ever season on the pitch, with manager Ruben Amorim now handed a lifeline to save the club’s season with a European trophy and place in the Champions League as they languish in 16th in the Premier League table.A win over Spurs would mean a major trophy and a huge financial boost thanks to securing a return to Europe’s elite competition.Ferguson visited the San Mames stadium before the match tooCredit: TwitterMan Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash More

SIR ALEX FERGUSON arrived at the San Mames stadium ahead of the Europa League final – marking his final away day as Manchester United’s global ambassadorFerguson, 83, showed his support for Man Utd ahead of their European heavyweight bout with Tottenham in Bilbao – but was left bitterly disappointed by a 1-0 defeat.Sir Alex Ferguson attended the Europa League final for his last away game as a paid club ambassadorCredit: GettyMAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions Sir Alex, who managed United for 26 years, has been kept on the books at Old Trafford as an ambassador since his exit as boss in 2013.But as part of new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brutal cost-cutting measures, Ferguson’s paid role was axed back in October.The legendary Scottish manager had to wave goodbye to a £2.16m-per-year salary as a result, with the decision kicking in at the end of the current season.Which means his attendance at the Europa League final on Wednesday night was his last away game as a club ambassador on the payroll.READ MORE ON MAN UTDSir Alex had certainly been enjoying his trip to the Basque Country, stopping by Bilbao’s San Mames stadium before the match to visit Athletic Club officials.He even took the time to sign a match ball and pennant in the hallways of the ground from Athletic’s 2011/12 victory over United in the Europa League round of 16.Ferguson led United to 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.But he can rest assured that his ambassadorial axing wasn’t personal, but instead part of a slew of cost-cutting measures put in place by Ratcliffe and his Ineos team.Most read in FootballFerguson visited the San Mames stadium before the match tooCredit: TwitterSir Jim Ratcliffe axed Ferguson from his paid role at Man Utd in OctoberCredit: GettyJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThe billionaire Brit and his company cut costs by announcing nearly 500 redundancies at the Premier League giants.While other more marginal financial savings have been made by scrapping free meals for Old Trafford staff, cancelling the staff Christmas party and stopping access to private chauffeurs and company credit cards.’He was evil’ – Sir Alex Ferguson would be in JAIL if he managed today, claims Man Utd legend Patrice Evra Should take around 15 seconds if we want to include it-United had the opportunity boost their dire financial situation with a victory over Spurs in Bilbao, a win that wouldn’t have just earned them a major trophy, but also a place in the Champions League.A place amongst Europe’s elite would have helped line the pockets of the Manchester club, who have been struggling financially since their drop in form over the past few years.But that dream was snatched away from them as Brennan Johnson scored Tottenham’s only shot on target and ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for a trophy to defeat United 1-0.Despite the mass cost-cutting, United announced in March plans to build a brand new £2billion 100,000-seat stadium in the near future.Man Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash More

SHEEPISH Paul Scholes warned Manchester United not to underestimate Spurs as he branded Sir Alex Ferguson’s “It’s Tottenham” speech “derogatory.”The Red Devils are hoping to get the better of their Premier League rivals in tonight’s Europa League final.Paul Scholes had his say over Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘it’s Tottenham’ speechScholes branded Fergie’s comments ‘derogatory’ ahead of the Europa League finalCredit: GettyBoth sides have struggled domestically, with United 16th in the table and Spurs 17th.Victory will seal a place in next season’s Champions League, with the loser facing a long and unhappy summer.Spurs are feeling confident after winning all three of their previous meetings this term.While United have been clinging to hope thanks to a famous speech given by Sir Alex against Spurs in 2001.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Red Devils were three goals down at half-time but came back to win 5-3, with Fergie telling his players: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.”But Scholes, who featured in that famous match, believes in hindsight that it was “derogatory” to dismiss Spurs that way.And he certainly feels the same attitude cannot be held by United this evening.Scholes told TNT Sports: “I think it’s a bit derogatory to speak about such a great football club like that.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“We knew that most of the time we had the beating of Tottenham. We were always confident against them.“I know there’s a lot said of, ‘It’s only Tottenham’ and that should be enough to win a game. But it isn’t. You’re playing against a very good team of footballers. Man Utd & Spurs supporters party all day in Bilbao’s fan zones ahead of Europa League finalMAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions “They’ve had the upper hand against United, we’ve lost the last three. It’s not quite ‘just Tottenham’ any more.”Fans were quick to react, with one saying: “He doesn’t believe himself.”Another declared: “Paul Scholes is pure class, a wizard of a player but so humble.“Knows his stuff too, not airs and graces, never fake, one of the real ones.” More