TOT 1-0 MNU: Five Players Responsible For Man Utd Defeat Against Tottenham In The UEL Final
Manchester United’s hopes of finishing a dreadful season on a high were dashed in the UEFA Europa League final, as they suffered a painful 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao. Despite dominating possession and registering more shots, the Red Devils were unable to break down a disciplined Spurs side and ultimately fell to an own goal by Lisandro Martínez.
The defeat brought further scrutiny to several individual performances, especially in a match where the stakes were sky-high. Here, we take a close look at five Manchester United players whose underwhelming displays contributed significantly to the loss.
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1. Lisandro Martínez – Own Goal and Unsettled Presence
Lisandro Martínez has often been praised for his aggressive style of defending and ability to play from the back. However, his performance in the final will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. In the 35th minute, it was his own goal that proved decisive—an unfortunate deflection that wrong-footed André Onana and handed Tottenham the lead.
Beyond the own goal, Martínez looked slightly off pace throughout the match. Coming back from injury earlier in the season, he hasn’t quite hit the levels expected of him. His positioning was suspect during several Spurs attacks, and he appeared to lack the composure that had once defined his breakout campaign with United.
While own goals can happen to any defender, in a European final, such an error is magnified, and unfortunately for Martínez, it sealed United’s fate.
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2. Bruno Fernandes – Wasteful in Front of Goal
As captain and one of United’s most experienced figures, Bruno Fernandes was expected to lead by example. While his effort cannot be questioned, his decision-making and execution in the final third were disappointing.
Fernandes had arguably the clearest opportunity to equalize late in the first half when a cross from Garnacho found him unmarked inside the box. Instead of converting the header or controlling it for a shot, he directed the ball straight into the hands of Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. In a final where clear chances were rare, such a miss was costly.
Post-match, Fernandes admitted he should’ve done better: “I have to find a way to score that header,” he said. While his willingness to take responsibility is admirable, the miss highlights a recurring issue—his inconsistency in big matches.
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3. Marcus Rashford – Anonymous in Attack
Marcus Rashford’s form has been under the microscope all season, and the final only deepened the concerns surrounding his performances. Played on the left wing, Rashford struggled to get involved in the game and often appeared disconnected from United’s attacking build-up.
His touches were heavy, his dribbles unconvincing, and his off-ball movement did little to trouble Tottenham’s defense. He managed just one shot on target, a tame effort that Vicario saved comfortably. For a player of his caliber, Rashford needed to provide more in a match of such magnitude.
His body language, too, was worrying. At a time when his team needed inspiration, Rashford failed to offer spark or leadership on the pitch. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify his continued role in the starting eleven based on recent form.
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4. Casemiro – Sluggish and Outrun in Midfield
The former Real Madrid enforcer looked a shadow of the player who once dominated Champions League nights. Against Tottenham’s younger, energetic midfield, Casemiro was regularly bypassed and unable to impose his authority.
His defensive positioning was erratic, and he was caught ball-watching on more than one occasion. In a moment that typified his sluggish display, he failed to track the run of Rodrigo Bentancur, allowing Spurs to build momentum in the center of the park.
Casemiro’s passing accuracy also suffered, as he completed just 82% of his passes, many of which were sideways or backward. At 33, questions are beginning to mount about whether he still has the legs to compete at the highest level. Against a technically superior and tactically disciplined Tottenham midfield, he was exposed.
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5. Antony – Ineffective and Predictable
Brought on as a second-half substitute in hopes of adding width and creativity, Antony offered neither. The Brazilian has often relied on his trademark cut-ins from the right wing, but Tottenham’s defense had clearly done their homework. Time after time, he was shepherded away from dangerous areas, and when he did get space, his final ball was lacking.
Antony completed just two successful dribbles and was dispossessed four times. One of his wayward passes nearly led to a Tottenham counterattack. His performance was marked by frustration, and rather than lifting the team, he contributed to United’s stagnation in the final third.
What’s more concerning is the predictability of his play. In a match that called for creativity and spontaneity, Antony stuck to routine patterns that Spurs were ready for. If he’s to justify his price tag and role at the club, he’ll need to evolve and diversify his approach.
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Honorable Mentions:
While these five players stood out for their poor performances, others also underperformed. Diogo Dalot, often solid, had an inconsistent game defensively. Mason Mount, when brought on, added little creativity. And goalkeeper André Onana, while not at fault for the goal, didn’t command his area with the authority expected in such a high-stakes match.
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Conclusion: A Result Reflecting a Bigger Crisis
Manchester United’s defeat in the Europa League final is not merely the result of one bad game, but rather the culmination of a season riddled with inconsistency, tactical confusion, and underperforming stars. The five players highlighted above represent some of the key failings in this final — lack of leadership, poor decision-making, and inability to rise to the occasion.
If United are to rebuild and become competitive again, they must evaluate the future of these core players. The summer transfer window will be crucial, but perhaps more important is instilling a culture of accountability and performance.
Bruno Fernandes’ comments after the match, where he stated his desire to stay but acknowledged he would understand if the club chose to sell him, are reflective of the uncertainty hanging over Old Trafford.
United’s fans, starved of success, deserved more than what was offered in Bilbao. And unless the club addresses these deep-rooted issues — starting with the very players who failed in the final — next season may bring more disappointment.
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