No, it wasn't nightmare, it really happened. Manchester United lost the chance to salvage their season by winning the Europa League final, as a dreadful 1-0 loss against Tottenham condemned Ruben Amorim's side to a trophyless campaign.
But it's not just this term which has been marred by the defeat in Bilbao. Lifting the trophy at the San Memes would've given United a ticket for the 2025-26 Champions League and earned the club around £100million.
If you believe co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, that kind of cash would've been transformative for the Red Devils' finances. But it's gone Spurs' way, leaving beleaguered boss Amorim to sift through the wreckage and plan for what's set to be a difficult summer and domestic-only season.
Who'll be signed? Who'll be sold? Will Amorim even be in charge? The Portuguese dropped a bombshell post-match and said that he'll walk away if the United board don't think that he's the right man for the job.
So put your feet up, Ruben, go lay on a beach and let Mirror Football handle it.
[
Andre Onana sets humiliating record after Man Utd lose Europa League final](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andre-onana-manchester-united-final-35268333)
[
Viktor Gyokeres makes fresh admission over future as Arsenal profit from Man Utd blow](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-viktor-gyokeres-35268402)
Goalkeeper and defence
Altay Bayindir, thanks for the Arsenal saves but we're going to need stiffer competition for Andre Onana. For the £52m which Onana cost, I'd say United would've been better off spending the money elsewhere and keeping David de Gea.
But this is where we are. In light of Onana wanting to stay, the Red Devils could do with a young goalkeeper who can push him to improve - or take his place. United have an established relationship with Belgian side Royal Antwerp stretching back two decades, so signing their young shot-stopper, Senne Lammens, makes sense, as the 22-year-old shouldn't be too expensive.
There's an argument to be made that United's strongest position when it comes to depth is central defence - at least when they're all fit. Leny Yoro is looking more the part every game, Harry Maguire has enjoyed a resurgence, Matthijs de Ligt is proven at the top level and Lisandro Martinez will come back from injury next season.
But given Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof's looming departures, and even with Ayden Heaven breaking through, it leaves United short. We're working on a budget here, though, so I'd bring in Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah on a free transfer.
ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM - MAY 17: Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp FC looks on during the Jupiler Pro League Championship Play Offs match between Royal Antwerp FC and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Bosuilstadion on May 17, 2025 in Antwerpen, Belgium. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Senne Lammens has been linked with Manchester United ( Image: Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
At 29, he's three years younger than Maguire and unlike the rest of United's centre-backs has an impeccable injury record over the last five years. Tah is a leader and before confirming his departure helped Leverkusen follow-up last season's league and cup double with a solid campaign this term.
That's why Bayern Munich and Barcelona are still interested in the Germany international, who's also been linked with Real Madrid. It's a hard sell on paper but United need leaders who can play consistently and Tah fits the bill.
At left-back, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Harry Amass provide hot competition and the highly-rated Diego Leon is also on his way, so no stress there. On the right, Noussair Mazraoui is a good utility man and I'd think we'd see the best Diogo Dalot if United reverted to a back four.
Midfield
This is where I'm going bold. Sell Bruno Fernandes.
Yes, I know - I get where they'd statistically be without his goals and assists. But the cold reality is that Fernandes is unlikely to ever be part of a title-winning United side.
The United captain turns 31 in September, so I'd do exactly what the man himself hinted at just minutes after the Europa League final: cash in. Let Fernandes go and rebuild with the kind of fee you could get for him from a Saudi Arabian club.
He'll be missed, of course, and he remains the best signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. But United need to take the long road back and Fernandes' sale would, in my opinion, have the potential to do more good than his short-term impact.
Should Manchester United sell Bruno Fernandes? Have your say in the comments section.
Bruno Fernandes would be willing to leave Manchester United ( Image: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Following Fernandes out of the door would be Casemiro. Credit to him for bouncing back this season but he showed again in Bilbao that his powers are waning.
Christian Eriksen is almost certain to leave, so we'd be left with a stark lack of experience in midfield. So let's go back to Germany, where Joao Palhinha has spent a mixed first season at Bayern under Vincent Kompany, where he's made only 24 appearances.
The ex-Fulham midfielder felt like a belated Thomas Tuchel signing and he's evidently more suited to the Premier League. Palhinha may've lost confidence and momentum in Bavaria but he'll be a better player for the experience.
And with Bayern pursuing the £126m-rated Florian Wirtz, they'll need all the cash they can get. Back at United, where Mason Mount and youngster Toby Collyer would pick up more minutes in 25-26, you're not going to recoup what you spent on Manuel Ugarte. I wouldn't give up on him yet, though.
The Uruguayan has had a year to get used to the rigours of the Premier League and could strike up a balanced partnership with Kobbie Mainoo, who United must not sell. Not only would the Red Devils be losing a player who I believe is one of the most talented midfielders in Europe, they'd be turning their back on tradition and the United way - selling their soul if one single transfer ever could.
Attack
Where do we even start here? Marcus Rashford - sell. Antony - sell. Those decisions seem to have already been made by the hierarchy but in fairness to the pair, they've not been why United have struggled for goals in the second half of the season.
Rasmus Hojlund needs a loan move, somewhere where he can get used to hearing the sound of the net bulge and the crowd roar again. The raw materials are there but right now Joshua Zirkzee, who's also still a rough diamond, should be starting.
This is where I'll go against United's plans. It's not the right time for Liam Delap - even for £30m.
The Red Devils should go for someone more established like Victor Osimhen. Napoli are open to a sale and I'd explore some kind of swap deal with Alejandro Garnacho.
Osimhen's prolific loan spell with Galatasaray this terms has only boosted his stock, but it doesn't seem like there's concrete interest from Premier League clubs. Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike are taking up more column inches, so there's an opportunity to nab the Nigerian striker, who could serve as a mentor to United's Chido Obi.
On paper, Matheus Cunha is exactly the type of signing that United should be making. Proven in the Premier League, entering his peak, but questions remain over his attitude and £62.5m isn't cheap.
If United can get the dressing room culture right by signing the likes of Tah, though, the Brazilian's brashness can be harnessed in the best way. His versatility would make United more unpredictable in atack and he can play behind Osimhen or out wide.
Bryan Mbeumo is another Premier League-proven target but he's now likely out of United's price range, but Lyon's Rayan Cherki could be a risk worth taking for his rumoured £25m release clause. The 21-year-old playmaker has had a tumultuous rise in France but United witnessed his brilliance in the Europa League.
Given that Cherki is another forward who can play out wide or centrally, he and Cunha could fill the creative void left by Fernandes. It's a big swing but United need to start accepting short-term pain for long-term gain.
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