Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025
Amorim got his team wrong, says Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)
Rio Ferdinand has questioned Ruben Amorim’s decision to start Mason Mount ahead of Alejandro Garnacho in Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
Spurs finally ended their 17-year wait for silverware with victory in Bilbao, also securing qualification for next season’s Champions League in the process.
United, hopelessly off the pace in the Premier League, end their season with nothing to show for it.
Amorim placed his faith in Mount ahead of kick-off, naming the former Chelsea star in his starting XI.
Mount has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Old Trafford but shone in his side’s semi-final second leg victory over Athletic Bilbao, scoring twice to help his side book their place in the final.
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Amorim left Garnacho on the bench with Mount starting alongside Amad Diallo behind Rasmus Hojlund.
Garnacho was eventually brought on with 70 minutes of the game remaining and was immediately involved, forcing a good save out of Guglielmo Vicario four minutes after his introduction.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025
Garnacho came off the bench after 70 minutes (Picture: Getty)
The Argentine was arguably United’s biggest threat during the time he was on the pitch, causing problems for Spurs and stretching their backline.
Speaking post-match, former United defender Ferdinand was convinced Amorim made a mistake in not starting the young winger.
‘That’s one thing I will question about the selection today for Man United,’ Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025
Garnacho replaced Mount in the second-half (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Ruben Amorim was responsible for bringing Mason Mount into that midfield and we didn’t have anyone running in behind.
‘Garnacho has done that all season, you can say what you like about his end product and his finishing but he does give you that threat stretching teams and we didn’t really see at any point Spurs stretched int hat sense.’
Garnacho has scored 11 goals and laid on 10 assists for United this term with only Bruno Fernandes outscoring him.
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