Author: Simon Stone

Getty ImagesSimon StoneChief football news reporter1 hour ago89 CommentsManchester United defender Harry Maguire says Ruben Amorim’s squad can end a season of self-inflicted suffering with the Europa League trophy – but only if they “give absolutely everything” in Wednesday’s final.The Red Devils take on fellow Premier League stragglers Tottenham in Bilbao, with a Champions League place for next season the lucrative bonus that goes to the winners.For both clubs, it is an extraordinary opportunity to make amends for desperate domestic campaigns that have left United in 16th and Spurs in 17th.With the end of the season in sight, Maguire says a sixth major European trophy will only come their way if United play to their potential, which has certainly not always been the case this season.In that regard, he accepts United have let down supporters “far too much”, with their league campaign “nowhere near good enough”.Standing in their way are a Spurs side whose own failings have been glaringly apparent too.”They’ve suffered as well as us this season,” said Maguire.”They’ve had a lot of injuries like us, have not been able to find that rhythm and concentrated on the Europa League as well.”But we believe in ourselves. We have got to make sure we put the percentages in our favour in terms of turning up, giving absolutely everything and performing on the day.”Making up for Villarreal disappointmentMaguire has been one of United’s most consistent performers this season, particularly in Europe.He scored the winning goal during a brilliant comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals, before helping to set up Casemiro’s opener in Bilbao during the semi-final first leg.Should he start the final, the England centre-back will be looking to make up for lost time, having sat out the 2021 Europa League final defeat to Villarreal through injury.”Missing that game was the big one for me,” Maguire said. “That hurt a lot.”I was captain of the club at the time and a big part of that team. Maybe the result would have been different if I’d been fit. That’s what I felt.”We had a good defensive record but I had a nasty ankle injury. There was talk at the time of me making it, but I was nowhere near. I was still struggling to jog, let alone play in a final.”‘Incredible fans deserve more’Clearly, working out how to get to Bilbao and knowing where they will stay is not an issue to trouble United’s players.For many thousands of supporters, a major challenge has been in finding viable and affordable ways of making the journey of just over 1,000 miles by road, with some opting instead for a 32-hour ferry crossing from Portsmouth.It is another example of the backing United have provided across a tortuous campaign.Supporters have strongly protested against the ownership but, other than sporadic booing after particularly poor results, have remained behind head coach Amorim and his team.Maguire says he and the players are thankful and recognise they have let down supporters who expect success on all fronts.”The fans have been absolutely incredible this season,” said Maguire. “We’ve disappointed them far too much.”We’ve given them some good times in the Europa League and some great memories in terms of winning the derby at the Etihad, but overall it’s even surprised me. They are great fans and this year they’ve proved that.”‘Post-season tour not an issue for players’The Europa League final with Tottenham will be followed by the final Premier League game of the campaign against Champions League-chasing Aston Villa, with United nowhere near that race this season.But there will be no immediate rest for United’s players, who have more work ahead of them.As soon as the Villa game is over, they will be heading to Malaysia and then flying on to Hong Kong for two matches against local opposition next week.The trip is likely to generate around £7.8m.After a domestic campaign that will almost certainly result in the club’s worst finish since their 1973-74 relegation season, and knowing Premier League prize money alone is worth £3m a place, Maguire accepts the United squad cannot complain.”It is the club’s decision and we don’t have any right to argue against it after the performances we have put on,” he said.”As players, we have to take responsibility for the position in the Premier League and the money we have generated this season through that finish, which is nowhere near good enough.”It shouldn’t be like that. Two months ago, we should have been in a better position, fighting for a Europa League position or the Champions League positions.”We don’t have a right to stand here and criticise the club for trying to generate some money that will hopefully help us next season with signings.”Related topicsManchester UnitedEuropa LeagueFootball

Getty ImagesSimon StoneChief football news reporter1 hour ago116 CommentsMason Mount has never lost his belief that one day a moment would come to transform his time at Manchester United.After an injury-ravaged time at the club since joining in June 2023, his first goal as a United player at Old Trafford on 8 May may just have been that moment.United were struggling, unconvincing in their quest to hold off Athletic Bilbao and reach the Europa League final.After a 3-0 first-leg win, United were 1-0 down and progressing to the final was not a foregone conclusion.Up stepped Mount. The midfielder turned quickly onto a short pass from Leny Yoro and curled a shot from just inside the penalty area into the corner of the net.The goal released the building tension in the stadium. Eighteen minutes later, Mount scored again, although by that time Ruben Amorim’s side were clear and the meeting with Tottenham in Bilbao was already secure.”It has not been easy,” the 26-year-old reflected. “But I’ve stayed very focused and always had the end goal in my mind, always felt it would come good, that something will happen and I’ll get a moment.”Obviously, I’ve had a bit of time for it to sink in now. I watched the goals and the whole game over a couple times.”It was an amazing night for me. Everything just happened so quickly. I feel like it was a bit of like a flow state, I wasn’t thinking much and then I scored two goals, and we win the game.”The first use of “it” is Mount’s way of referring to the injuries that have blighted his time at Manchester United.Mount was two games into his United career following a £55m move from Chelsea in 2023 when he suffered the first of what turned out to be six injury-related absences over the course of 18 months.The calf problem that kept him out for over three months last season and a second hamstring problem this term, that left him on the sidelines for nearly as long until his latest comeback in April, were by far the worst.On Friday at Chelsea, he started successive games for the first time under Amorim, who has lavishly praised Mount’s work ethic and dedication to getting fit.”It is not always easy,” added Mount. “I have had many days at Carrington sitting on the treatment bed, when I want to be training. I have been in the stand watching games when I wanted to be playing.”But that was the circumstances. I gave everything to continue my rehab to try and get back. I have learned a lot from these moments. You really appreciate it more.”Wearing number 7 ‘a massive honour’Getty ImagesMount could not be accused of taking the easy option by joining United.Not only did he move away from the Chelsea bubble he had lived in since he was just six years old, Mount also took the United number seven shirt, worn in the past by a succession of global stars, including George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.”It was a massive honour,” he said. “I knew before joining the legends who have worn the shirt and what it means to the club.”I always wanted to take the opportunity. As soon as I knew that there was a possibility of me wearing it, I was never going to turn it down.”Getty Images’A positive end to tough season’Mount’s enforced absences have contributed to a lessening of the understanding of what the latest wearer of that famous shirt can bring to a team.On loan at the age of 20, Mount was the central component in Derby County’s run to the 2019 Championship play-off final, where they were beaten by Aston Villa.A year later, he was an England and Chelsea regular and part of the side beaten by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Wembley in the FA Cup final.Within the space of three months in 2021, he was again a losing FA Cup finalist and then fell short in the European Championship final against Italy with England, but sandwiched between those disappointments he lifted the Champions League as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Manchester City in Porto. There was never a question about him starting all three games.In 2022, he became a world champion thanks to a Club World Cup win over Palmeiras and then lost another FA Cup final to Liverpool. By that point, Mount was still only 23 and nowhere near his peak.It is also a backstory that might be very useful in Bilbao as they look to come out on top in a battle between the Premier League’s two massive underachievers, both sides occupying places immediately above the relegation zone and with points totals that could have meant demotion into the Championship in other seasons.Wednesday’s final gives both clubs the chance to end a season of defeat and ridicule by nabbing a place in next season’s Champions League.”The losses are hard,” said Mount. “I have had quite a few at Wembley and they stick with you for a long time.”But when you do win, you understand that feeling and always want it.”I don’t know how many of the lads have too much experience of that but I can tell you I have had quite a few losses and I don’t want that feeling.”By any measure, it has been a terrible season for United on the domestic front.Friday’s loss at Stamford Bridge was their 18th league defeat of the season. It is their worst performance since they lost 20 in their 1973-74 relegation campaign.Yet the margins are fine. Harry Maguire had what would have been an opening goal disallowed by a narrow VAR call on Friday. Against West Ham the previous week, Amorim’s side dominated but didn’t take their chances and were caught out on the break.It has been the story of the season from a United perspective and explains why Mount is looking forward optimistically in a way not many are.”I feel we’re close,” he said. “It’s small details here and there in games, especially in the Premier League.”If the small details aren’t right you can get punished, which can be devastating at times.”I think we’re close to correcting them and when you win trophies you get extra confidence and you build that togetherness as a group.”But we know the situation we are in. As a group, we try to block out the noise but we know the league has not been good enough.”We won’t forget about what we have done in the league but if we can win, it can be a positive end to a tough season.”Related topicsManchester UnitedEuropa LeagueFootball