Tottenham favourite Gareth Bale enjoyed himself in Bilbao after watching his old team win the Europa League final and he wasted no time in kicking Manchester United while they were down
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06:56, 22 May 2025
Gareth Bale was quick to rub salt in Man Utd wounds
Gareth Bale was quick to rub salt in Manchester United's wounds
(Image: TNT Sports)
Gareth Bale couldn't resist rubbing salt into Manchester United's wounds following their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night by playfully quipping that their performance was 'Unitedy'. The Red Devils and Spurs met at the San Mames in Bilbao in a shootout for salvation in the wake of their own chastening domestic campaigns.
But there was more anguish for Ruben Amorim's beleaguered side as they failed to breach a brittle Tottenham team that last kept a clean sheet back in February - against Manchester United. A scruffy goal from Brennan Johnson - who had a big helping hand from Luke Shaw - was enough to end the Londoners' 17 year wait for a major trophy.
Tottenham have copped their fair share of criticism during that time with football fans branding them 'Spursy' due to their failure to get over the line - and Bale gleefully turned that heat onto United after watching his old club triumph in Spain.
The former Wales and Real Madrid winger also reckons that Spurs big win will help end the stigma around the club after he and the rest of the TNT Sports panel were shown a grab of the team's official social media account using the term in jest.
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"It could be a Unitedy thing now, I'm telling you!," Bale said with a smile. "But it gets rid of that stigma now for sure and hopefully we can build on it."
While Bale was enjoying himself, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand did not seem to impressed. He quipped: "Can we get off air now" in the wake of Bale's dig.
Ange Postecoglou was the big talking point after the match; the Tottenham manager insisted back in September that he would maintain his record of 'always' winning a trophy in his second season and, despite Spurs' awful Premier League form, kept his word in Bilbao.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Danso with the Europa League trophy following his sides victory over Manchester United at the Estadio de San Mames, Bilbao, Spain. Picture date: Wednesday May 21, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Final. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire.
Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou celebrated into the Bilbao night
While the Greek-Australian's future remains uncertain, Postecoglou made it clear post-match that he wants to stay. And Bale reckons the former Celtic chief deserves more time and the backing of Spurs supremo, Daniel Levy.
"I think only the chairman can decide [whether he stays], to be honest. There’s been so much talk about whether he goes or whether he doesn’t," Bale said.
"I guess it’ll be interesting to see that because he’s won a trophy, the first Tottenham manager to do so in a long time.
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, minority owner of Manchester United shakes hands Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United with after the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
While Spurs celebrated it was another rough night for United
"So I guess the board has some decisions to make. I like the football that he plays. Obviously he lacks a bit of a plan B. But tonight showed there is a plan B. There’s a different side to how he’s played.
"So I guess if he also matures as a manager and brings that defensive side to his teams, of course he can still have great success here."
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