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Ruben Amorim has endured a torrid time in charge of Manchester United so far(Image: Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

As the final whistle sounded in the San Mames Stadium on Wednesday evening, Tottenham Hotspur were crowned Europa League champions, while Manchester United were hit with a new and harsh reality.

United were toothless and uninspired as they let Spurs clinch their first major trophy since 2008.

The scrappy 1-0 victory also gifted Ange Postecolou the added dusting of Champions League football for next season.



Ruben Amorim's side will now walk away from the 2025/2026 season having failed to capture any silverware, and there is a real threat that they now could finish as low as 17th in the table if results don't go their way this weekend.

As United desperately attempt to stave off humiliation on the Premier League's final day on Sunday, just a few miles up the East Lancs Road, Liverpool will be lifting their 20th top-flight trophy.

The 21-year-old French star was thought to be a target for Arne Slot, however Liverpool are now thought to have pivoted their attention to one of the most in-demand players on the continent in the shape of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.

Article continues belowRayan Cherki is a target for Man Utd(Image: undefined via Getty Images)

The reality of United now chasing their fiercest rivals' back-up transfer options will be an uncomfortable truth and a bitter pill for the Old Trafford faithful to swallow.

United are believed to be confident of signing Wolves playmaker Matheus Cunha for £62.5million and they are also heavily interested in Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

Before their Europa League final crash-out, Amorim confirmed that the club did have a contingency in place should they lose, but he didn't shy away from what defeat would ultimately mean.

Bayer Leverkusen duo Jeremie Frimpong Florian Wirtz could both be headed to Liverpool if reports are to be believed(Image: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)

"We have two plans even for the market," he said.

"And we need to understand that is tough for a club like us not to be in the Champions League."

With Bayern Munich offering heavyweight competition for Wirtz's signature, Liverpool are likely to have to fork out a club-record fee to bring him to Anfield.

Yet even if Wirtz remains elusive, Liverpool's closing in on the signing of Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong, while being linked with players such as Atletico Madrid's Julien Alvarez and Bournemouth's exciting left-back Milos Kerkez should send shockwaves through United.

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Because there is reason to think that the changing of the guard, from the Red Devils to the Reds, is perhaps here to stay for some time.

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