Manchester United`s challenging season ended on a low note with a defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final. According to former United midfielder Roy Keane, the match served to highlight the persistent `lack of quality` that plagued the team throughout their campaign.
Tottenham secured the decisive goal in the 42nd minute courtesy of Brennan Johnson. Keane suggested the goal was facilitated by poor defensive lapses from United, specifically mentioning defender Luke Shaw`s ineffective play and hinting that goalkeeper Andre Onana might have dealt with the `fluky` shot more effectively.
Speaking after the game, Keane stated, “I think the goal summed up the game – real lack of quality, poor decision-making from United at the end.”
Keane felt the better side emerged victorious. He observed that Tottenham`s strategic shift to a more defensive posture in the second half effectively exposed United`s enduring weaknesses. Despite taking only three shots in total (and none after scoring), Spurs managed a higher expected goals (xG) figure (1.01) than United (0.85 from 16 attempts), underscoring the Red Devils` inefficiency.
“To start the second half, they set up shop early and it was obvious they were going to be defensive and they defended really well,” Keane remarked about Spurs. He added pointedly, “United lacked real quality and United are depending on Harry Maguire to get [them] out of jail at the end of the game. It sums up their problem.”
United must now turn their attention to their final Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday. The team currently sits in 16th place and could finish the season anywhere from 14th to 17th, a historically low league finish for the club which has never placed below eighth previously.
The loss in the Europa League final also confirms that Manchester United will not qualify for the Champions League next season.
