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Luke Shaw says Manchester United are “at rock bottom now” after suffering defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
United were unbeaten in European competition heading into the showpiece, but Brennan Johnson’s scrappy goal, which was almost credited as a Shaw own goal, shortly before the break, settled a 1-0 win for Spurs.
The Red Devils currently sit 16th in the Premier League and will not play in Europe next season, having failed to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
In fact, this was United’s 20th defeat in all competitions this season, their most in a campaign since losing 22 in 1973-74 when they were relegated from the top-flight.
They have also now failed to win four of their last five major European finals, after winning their first four between 1968 and 2008.
The highest United can finish in the Premier League is 14th, but regardless of how their final day match against Aston Villa goes on Sunday, Shaw believes they have already hit their lowest point.
“We’re all gutted, it’s not how we saw the outcome to be honest,” Shaw said. “But it’s not just [this result], this whole season, it’s been nowhere near good enough.
“I think all of us have to question ourselves on if we’re good enough to be here.
“For a team like Manchester [United], for the season we’ve had, it’s not acceptable. We know that, we all know that, I know that. It’s not where Manchester should be.
“We have to look at the positives, and the only positive is we can only go up from here. We’re at rock bottom now. We have to find a way to drive ourselves back and get back to where this club deserves to be.”
Shaw also threw his support behind Ruben Amorim, whom he believes is the right head coach to turn things around.
“I can say 100% right now he’s the right man,” Shaw added.” Results have not been good at all.
“I’ve been here for a long time now and been through different managers. Ruben, for me, I talk on my behalf and I can talk on behalf of all the players. He is 100% the right manager to take us back to where this club should be.
“It’s going to be a very difficult process, us as players, we’ve let a lot of people down, including Ruben. I will say it again, we’ve been nowhere near good enough the whole season.
“A lot has to change, it’s clear to see. That’s why I say Ruben is 100% the right person. He knows what is to be done at this club. I believe he will do everything to make that change and put Manchester back at the top.”
It hurts now but this club’s history speaks for itself. We will be back. pic.twitter.com/pP35zCSXzd
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 21, 2025
Diogo Dalot also echoed Shaw’s beliefs about their torrid season but vowed to go away with the rest of the players in a bid to improve on it.
“Obviously, the season was a disaster. We have to look at ourselves right now and how we can improve. The last thing we need right now is to create separation with us and the fans,” he said.
“We have to prove to them that we deserve to be here. They deserve more. They just have to stick by us and believe in us. I think they will stick by us.
“There’s a lot of things we need to change, whether it’s behaviours every day, standards need to be a lot higher.
“We look at ourselves while we’re away to analyse everything. I’m sure the club will also analyse things and make the changes we need to change.
“As players, we ned to look at ourselves and see what we can do better every single day. The expectations are always high, but this season is far away from what this club deserves. We take that responsibility because it’s us on the pitch.”
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