Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana set a record that no one wanted after the Europa League defeat, playing in European finals for three different clubs, losing them all. In the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, the 29-year-old Cameroon international was responsible for conceding a goal when he failed to keep out Brennan Johnson's feeble shot.
Onana lost the European final for the first time, also in the Europa League, against Manchester United. In Stockholm, Sweden, in 2017, Jose Mourinho's Red Devils beat Onana's former club Ajax 2-0, with Paul Pogba and Mkhitaryan beating Onana with long-range shots and barbs. In the 2023 Champions League final, Onana has moved to Inter Milan, but he can't stop Manchester City from winning 1-0.
After joining Manchester United for 50 million euros, Onana still couldn't change his "curse" of losing in European finals, becoming the first goalkeeper to lose three European finals with three different teams. Not only that, but he also angered his teammates during the game, with Casemiro scolding him.
In the opening stages of the game, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw kicked Tottenham's wide attack off the line and handed over a corner. Onana's chatter in front of goal seemed to spark Casemiro's displeasure, and he pointed to the goal to signal the goalkeeper to do his job. A heated argument ensued.
Manchester United fans say Onana is a real nuisance, yelling at his team-mates but not doing his job. "I guess Casemiro has had enough of him, just look at this video." A Red Devil blogger commented. Ironically, in the end, Casemiro and Luke Shaw were both held accountable for Tottenham's winning goal.
It is worth mentioning that Onana's winless spell in the European final finally ended Casemiro's winning record! Before Manchester United's Europa League final with Tottenham, the 33-year-old "Fat Tiger" won all seven European finals. Unfortunately, coming to Manchester United made his late season unsafe.
According to British media, Manchester United are willing to sell Onana and Casemiro if someone makes a reasonable offer this summer. If Onana is the "Sleeping Dragon" in front of Manchester United's goal, then the center forward Hojlund is the "Phoenix Youngster" in the opponent's penalty area.
The £72million centre-forward had a header on Tottenham that was deflected away by defender Donny van der Ven on the goal line. It was one of Hojlund's few appearances in a game, and his performances were still at the bottom of the team.
The goal was not scored in the final, announcing that the 22-year-old Danish striker may have lost his last chance to redeem himself. He is said to be sold by Manchester United this summer, with a total of three Serie A clubs rumoured to be interested. Hojlund scored 16 goals in his first season at Manchester United but has fallen off a cliff this season, scoring just four goals in 31 Premier League games.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan are the latest club to be interested in Hojlund, who have consulted Manchester United's asking price and see it as one of the candidates to bring in in the summer window.
Napoli and Juventus are said to have approached Manchester United in March and April respectively. At the time, Manchester United were asking £50 million, but now it seems that they have to cut it significantly.
According to rumours, United are now willing to accept a price of £30 million. In the Europa League final, he didn't cause any more problems for Tottenham centre-backs Donny van der Ven and Christian Romero, who were voted MVP of the final.
The performance drew a scathing critique from Manchester United legend Roy Keane, who felt that Hojlund and the rest of the United players were not doing well and that they themselves probably couldn't find an excuse. 'Elund looks like a young kid and plays like a rookie straight out of the academy. Keane said, "He's not running it right, he's tackling points, he's timing...... If you're a striker playing for Manchester United and you only have one shot on goal, you're not qualified."
Keane added: "There are people who make excuses for him, saying that he needs more faith and support. However, you, as number 9, must have the ability to create opportunities on your own. It's the ability of a big centre-forward, and it's what United have always had, a goalscorer who can decide the outcome of the game for himself. Because they have the quality, the desire, the determination, and a little bit of experience and football smart. You don't see it in Hojlund, he does need more support, but you need to do better."