Tottenham-Manchester United: Van De Ven miraculous, Romero tricky, Shaw calamitous... The highs and lows of the Europa League final

TOPS

Van De Ven miraculous

A great performance from the Tottenham central defender. During this final, the Dutchman conceded only three minor fouls and proved very solid against the Mancunian onslaught. Always ideally positioned and technically sound, the 24-year-old once again demonstrated his anticipatory abilities. Beyond his incisive interventions, the Londoner also heroically saved his team (68th minute) - on a Rasmus Höjlund header - by jumping spectacularly to clear the ball off his line at the last minute.

Guglielmo Vicario courageous

Impeccable on his line. Against United, the Spurs goalkeeper was flawless. The Italian made five saves from five shots he faced, and also saved three crosses. Decisive in the dying seconds on a Luke Shaw header (90th + 7th), the Tottenham keeper valiantly "held the fort."

Brennan Johnson fiery

Despite his 23 years, the Welsh striker, in his first European Cup final, showed no signs of slowing down. Vigorous and quick on his feet, the Tottenham right winger continued to break through and attack the Manchester rearguard, never forgetting his defensive retreats along the way. The London attacker also forced Luke Shaw into an own goal just before the break (42nd minute). To his credit.

Also read : Europa League: Tottenham wins its first title since 2008 and sinks Manchester United again

Cristian Romero tricky

Injured from November to March, the Spurs defender didn't waste any time and made his "comeback" in the best possible way. At 27 years old, the 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina behaved like an old hand, psychologically wearing down his Manchester opponents. With his back to his goalkeeper, the Tottenham player showed off his experience and his desire to win.

FLOPS

A purge as a finale

A final that will clearly not go down in history. In this all-English match between the two Premier League dunces this season - 16th-placed Man United and 17th-placed Tottenham - the two disgraced powerhouses offered the best they could do this year. Which is to say... not much. Fifteen fouls in barely a half, no more than five shots on target after the hour mark, a ludicrous own goal... The minutes ticked slowly on the scoreboard. With their backs to the wall, the Red Devils tried to ignite the game in the final ten minutes. In vain. Otherwise, nothing.

Luke Shaw calamitous

In terms of a disastrous performance in the European Cup final, the left-back was (very) strong. Long injured this season (as usual), the Englishman - surprisingly fielded from the start - was catastrophic from start to finish. Behind everyone he faced, clumsy and technically imprecise, and the author of the fatal own goal for his team (42nd minute), the Mancunian turned into a real drag for his team, symptomatic of a Manchester United that is now only a shadow of its former self.

The Red Devils to hell

A season in hell. Not much more to say. Where and when will the endless decline of this legendary club end? More than miraculously defeated Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-finals of the competition , United had an incredible opportunity to save their miserable season against Tottenham on Wednesday night. But Ruben Amorim's men got what they deserved. The dream is over for this listless team, which shows almost nothing, without any real depth of play. Everything needs to be reviewed and redone. The Man United of yesteryear is a long way off...