Ruben Amorim walks towards crestfallen Manchester United players.
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
Should any Manchester United supporter have been surprised by the outcome of Wednesday night's Europa League final in Bilbao? Not really.
After all, United had already been beaten three times by Tottenham Hotspur this season, losing to them twice in the Premier League and once in the Carabao Cup.
Each of the previous meetings prior to their winner-take-all clash in the San Mames Stadium had been played in different circumstances.
The 3-0 defeat Spurs inflicted on United at Old Trafford in September was under Erik ten Hag and saw Bruno Fernandes sent-off, Spurs' 4-3 victory over United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final just before Christmas was not played in the same vein as a Premier League meeting would have been, and the Londoners' 1-0 win over a patched-up United in February saw Victor Lindelof play the role of childminder on the bench.
Despite all of those varying circumstances Spurs, who have been even worse than United in the league this season, would have taken confidence into the clash in Bilbao.
The contrast in emotions on show in Tuesday's pre-match press conferences suggested that all of the pressure was on Spurs and Ange Postecoglou. Ruben Amorim, who was flanked by Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, was instead calm and relaxed.
Just over 24 hours later, though, it was Postecoglou who was celebrating. Amorim and his United players, by contrast, were crestfallen. The worst United team in more than 50 years failed to make the most of its get out of jail free card.
United reached the Europa League final by boasting an impressive 14-game unbeaten run in the competition. However, that run was aided by the diluted qualify of the competition, coming up against inferior opposition from the continent and the slower pace of the games in comparison to the cut and thrust of the Premier League.
Manchester United came unstuck against an English counterpart again. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images.)
Over two legs, they made light work of Athletic Bilbao, likewise fellow Spaniards Real Sociedad, scoring 12 goals over those two ties. They also put seven past Lyon over 210 frantic minutes.
But as soon as they came up against an English team in the competition, their race was run.
Domestically, United have been a shambles this term. They have won just 10 Premier League games and a defeat to Aston Villa on the final day of the season would see them end the campaign having lost 50 per cent of their league matches.
Since Amorim, who has refused to abandon his principles and attempt to adapt to the characteristics of his team, took charge in November, United have beaten just six Premier League counterparts in 90 minutes: Leicester City (twice), Manchester City, Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town and Southampton.
Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton will all be playing in the Championship next season. If one had been any better, two of them might have taken United with them.
Amorim has taken charge of 31 games as United boss against English opposition and he boasts a win ratio of just 22.6 per cent. Against non-English sides, he has taken charge of 10 games and won eight of them.
That highlights exactly where this United team is at. They are simply not currently good enough to match their domestic rivals.
Manchester United have had a season to forget. (Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
In 2025 alone, United have beaten just four English sides, seeing off Leicester, in the league and the FA Cup, and getting the better of Fulham, Ipswich and Southampton.
United, who are winless in their last eight Premier League matches, should not be surprised by the outcome of their third Europa League final appearance in nine seasons.
Despite having much more of the ball and registering more shots, they failed to produce a performance that worthy of the occasion. They moved the ball too slowly, meaning Spurs were able to maintain their defensive shape without being overwhelmed.
Amad was United's only bright spark and even he tailed off in the second half. Fernandes was not as influential as he can be. Rasmus Hojlund was once again a passenger.
If United are to compete on an even keel next season, their squad needs gutting. They must make ruthless decisions that would have been inconceivable at the start of the campaign.
Not a single positive can be extracted from this season. Not one. It has been a disaster from start to finish, and it would be no surprise if some season ticket holders stayed away from Old Trafford on Sunday.
A 21st defeat of the season to English opposition could see United finish one place above the relegation zone. Just the sight of that on Sunday night will be harrowing.