Man United Players Ditch Medals After Europa League Heartbreak

Manchester United players couldn’t hide their disappointment after losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final — and their reactions said it all. Within moments of receiving their runners-up medals, several United stars pulled them off in frustration, showing just how bitter the defeat felt.

The final, held in Bilbao, marked a historic night for Spurs. Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike was enough to end Tottenham’s 17-year wait for silverware and hand manager Ange Postecoglou his first major trophy with the club. For United, however, it was another low in what has already been a disastrous season.

Currently sitting 16th in the Premier League and facing a year without European football, the Red Devils walked off the pitch with more questions than answers. Their body language at the final whistle reflected the gloom hanging over Old Trafford.

During the medal ceremony, United players such as Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Andre Onana, Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, and Noussair Mazraoui wasted no time removing the silver medals placed around their necks by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Their quick rejection of the consolation prize painted a clear picture: second place simply wasn’t acceptable.

Some showed a little more composure. Captain Bruno Fernandes, along with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and manager Ruben Amorim, kept their medals on as they stood by and watched Spurs celebrate.

Former United legends didn’t hold back in their criticism after the match. Speaking on TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand slammed the team’s approach.

“This season has been a disaster, and they didn’t do enough to deserve the trophy,” Ferdinand said. “There was no real threat. The Spurs keeper only had to make one save. That tells the whole story.”

Roy Keane, never one to sugarcoat things, was even more blunt on CBS Sports.

“Just when you think it couldn’t get worse, it does. They’ve been scraping by in Europe all season. Tonight, it caught up with them,” Keane said. “They lacked quality. No impact off the bench. If you’re banking on Harry Maguire to rescue you, you’ve got problems.”

This latest defeat underlines how far Manchester United have fallen. Once a dominant force in Europe, the club now looks adrift, struggling to find its identity and losing out to rivals who once looked up to them.

The fans, many of whom hoped a trophy would salvage something from a forgettable campaign, now face the harsh reality: United have a long rebuild ahead — and no quick fixes in sight.