This is a disaster for Manchester United | OneFootball

In the build up to the Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, I was unsure if I even cared enough to watch.

I eventually tuned in because there was nothing else on TV that grabbed my attention.

I had already decided that I wanted Spurs to win, for the first time ever in my life.

Mind, when I saw a smug looking Sir Jim Ratcliffe sitting just yards to Daniel Levy’s left, there was very little to like in either club.

I thought both managers had picked relatively attacking sides, but the general standard of play in the first half was unsurprisingly, not very good.

Spurs took the lead shortly before half-time, with what looked to me like an own goal by Luke Shaw. At that moment, I actually had a feeling that this would turn out to be the winning goal.

The second period was just as tepid and frustrating as the first, Vicario naturally the busier of the two keepers as Manchester United chased the game.

Anyhow, Spurs won, good luck to them, and I believe that this result is a disaster for Manchester United.

There had been a lot of talk beforehand about what a travesty it is that one of these clubs (who have both struggled very badly at domestic level, currently 16th and 17th in the Premier League), would attain a Champions League place by winning this match.

Well, they have been the rules for a while. There is no doubting though, that having no Champions League clubs falling into UEFA’s second competition, now makes it easier to win.

Manchester United carry astronomical debt and winning the Europa League would have given them a bit of a financial lifeline.

They are also our rivals in this summer’s transfer window, with certain players being linked to both clubs.

Newcastle United have European football to offer in one form or another and are strong favourites with the bookies to secure a top five finish and entry into the Champions League.

I reckon that we have been witnessing the decline and ultimate demise of Manchester United for quite some time. They will no longer be a force in the EPL or Europe.

I think there will be a clear out at ‘Mould’ Trafford and that will probably start with their latest second rate manager Ruben Amorim.

The fact that they are apparently moving from their dilapidated old stadium in the not too distant future, will also have an effect on their planning moving forward.

As for Spurs, I reckon they got lucky at just the right time. Yes they can count on Champions League revenue next year, but they too won’t be a major threat in the EPL.

I congratulate them on winning their first trophy since 2008 and if they’ve any sense, Ange Postecoglu will be replaced.

They may still have bigger sponsorships and commercial assets etc, than the chasing pack, but on the field of play the so-called ‘Big Six’ exists no more.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United and Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are much better sides than Manchester United and Spurs.