Manchester United’s 2025 Europa League final loss to Tottenham not only capped off a trophyless and turbulent season — it also laid bare the cracks within the squad and the wider club structure.
Luke Shaw’s blunt admission — “We’ve had an unacceptable season” — strikes at the heart of the disillusionment surrounding Old Trafford. His willingness to question whether players are worthy of wearing the badge shows a rare but crucial sense of accountability.
Key Themes Emerging from the Fallout:
1. A Broken Dressing Room
The clash between Onana and Casemiro, needing Bruno Fernandes to play peacemaker, highlights a lack of cohesion. Moments like these suggest deep frustrations and possibly eroded trust — issues that can’t be fixed with tactics alone.
2. Ruben Amorim’s Precarious Mandate
Despite his backing by senior figures, Amorim faces a daunting task. Brought in midseason, he’s been unable to impose his identity fully — and now must lead a full squad overhaul. The board’s willingness to entertain offers for any player underscores the scale of the reset underway.
3. A Summer of Reckoning
United are reportedly open to offloading stars in all departments. That includes players once considered untouchable — Fernandes, Rashford, Sancho, even Onana. The club’s recruitment under Amorim must now be sharp, cohesive, and aligned with a long-term vision, rather than patchwork fixes.
4. Identity Crisis
This season exposed that United, even years post-Ferguson, still lack a clear footballing identity. Amorim’s job isn’t just to win — it’s to rebuild the culture. The foundation must be players who buy into the project, not just carry name value.
The question is no longer how bad was this season? — it’s how fast, and how smart, can United rebuild from the rubble?
This summer will define whether they sink further or finally begin to rise again.
