By DOMINIC HOGAN
Published: 16:37 EDT, 21 May 2025 | Updated: 16:51 EDT, 21 May 2025
There had been so much anticipation and build up to the Europa League final, an all-English clash between Man United and Tottenham in the days ahead of the game.
Yet once the first whistle actually went, there seemed to be a distinct lack of quality from both sides, with football fans and pundits alike wasting no time noting how under-whelming the game was.
Tottenham, arguably the underdog in this game of no favourites, took the lead in scruffy fashion through a Luke Shaw own goal, though neither side can really boast to have created anything of note shortly after the hour mark.
The winner of the clash will qualify for next season's Champions League tournament, which Piers Morgan noted in his scathing criticism of the game.
'This must be the worst quality game in the history of European football competition finals,' Morgan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
'Absolutely shocking - and yet one of these useless bunch of wastrels will be in next year’s Champions League...'
Tottenham took on Manchester United in an under-whelming Europa League final on Thursday
Piers Morgan branded the two English sides a 'useless bunch of wastrels' on social media
Prior to the game Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger had insinuated that it was perhaps not right that one of United or Spurs - who are 16th and 17th in the Premier League as it stands - should play in the Champions League last term.
Yet after taking the lead Tottenham gave themselves a fantastic chance of doing just that - though the game was still hardly a classic.
Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker Michael Owen was also far from impressed by the spectacle, and picked out the lack of fluidity to either side's play.
'Can’t believe how bad the standard of this match is,' wrote the former Ballon d'Or winner. 'Neither team can string 3 passes together.'
But the ex-Man United and Man City star wasn't the only one left feeling a little undersold on the game after all the anticipation in the build-up.
'I have no clue why I expected this game to be pure cinema, this is the worst game of football I've ever seen,' wrote one fan.
'I know the rest of Europe that don’t follow the Premier League must be confused at the quality of this game. These are two of the worst teams our league has to offer,' pointed out another.
But a third was clearly hurt by the lack of quality on show, comparing it to something widely held in popular culture to be the ultimate letdown.
'Worst final since Game of Thrones,' they blasted.
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