Never in the modern era has Manchester United endured such a dreadful campaign, yet many fans chose denial, clinging to the hope that a successful UEFA Europa League run could mask the harsh reality and perhaps ease the rebuilding process.

Sadly, their hopes were shattered as Brennan Johnson scored Spurs’ first goal in a major final in 17 years, handing Ange Postecoglou’s side the trophy on a cold night in San Mamés.

This marks the fourth time this season that the Londoners have defeated the Red Devils, making them the first team to accomplish this since Everton did so 39 years ago in the 1985-86 season.

As the season comes to an end, the reality has hit hard: there is no trophy, no European competition next season, and a position in an unfamiliar spot in the league standings. The false hopes that some had been holding onto have finally faded.

Manchester United's Worst Season in 51 Years

Manchester United's defeat in Bilbao marks their 20th loss across all competitions this season, the highest number of losses they've experienced in a single campaign since suffering 22 defeats in 1973-74, which resulted in their relegation from the top flight.

Who would have thought we would end up here after the season? Unfortunately, since Ruben Amorim's appointment earlier this year, results have not improved, and disaster was just awaiting a Europa League elimination to detonate.

Before the Portuguese took over, the Old Trafford landlords were placed 12th in the Premier League standings, just six points away from a UEFA Champions League qualification spot. Now, 26 games later, the club is ranked 16th, with only Tottenham Hotspur earning fewer points, alongside relegated teams Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton.

Expectations were high when he made the move from Sporting CP before the turn of the year, not only because of the success he had achieved in Portugal but also due to the fact that interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy had managed to stabilize the team before his arrival.

Unfortunately, Ruben Amorim failed to build on the momentum, winning only six Premier League matches, half of which were against newly promoted and relegated teams.

With the visit of Aston Villa their only remaining game, Ruben Amorim's team has already conceded the opening goal in 31 of their 55 games in which at least one goal has been scored. This is the highest number of opening goals conceded by any Premier League team across all competitions this season.

The defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday night, also means that the team has accumulated 24 points from 26 Premier League games, an average of 0.92 points per game. This is even lower than Paul Jewell’s 0.94 points per game during his 24-game winless run at Derby County, who finished the 2007-08 season with just 11 points.

In the build-up to the UEFA Europa League final, the club failed to win any of their previous eight Premier League matches, suffering six defeats, including embarrassing home losses to West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It has been shambolic — a level of misfortune not even seen under Erik Ten Hag. Yet, a win in last night’s final could have masked the harsh reality, allowing everyone to hide behind the trophy and cling to hopes of a Champions League return. But to what end?

What next for Manchester United?

The situation is awkward because the typical solution in circumstances like this is to dismiss the manager. However, at Manchester United, where this has become a recurring pattern, more careful consideration is needed.

Missing out on European competition might turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as it could provide the opportunity for the club to confront the realities they have been avoiding in recent years.

It's uncertain whether it will be a wise decision to allow the Portuguese coach to continue after his six-month tenure. The run in the Europa League is clearly a fluke, and the team is experiencing its worst league performance in nearly 50 years under his watch, is the reality.

Manchester United have lost nine home games in the Premier League this season, matching their record for the most defeats at Old Trafford in a single league campaign, a record originally set in the 1962-63 season. Additionally, seven of these losses have occurred in the twelve home games under manager Amorim.

If Ruben Amorim stays in charge, the focus on domestic competitions next season may finally give him the chance to build his team without the pressure and fear of failure.

One potential challenge will be retaining their best players. However, this may not be a significant issue since, aside from possibly Bruno Fernandes, nearly every player at the club is considered expendable.

There needs to be a massive exodus, a process that should have occurred at the club in previous windows. There are so many names on the roster, yet only a few are making contributions.

The failure to qualify for the Champions League, which they did not deserve from the beginning, will impact transfer plans, as top players prefer to be part of a well established project rather than join one that is just starting.

For Amorim, it is worth more than a consolation that the club is not under pressure to dismiss him, as he is still relatively new in his role. This situation allows him the chance to correct his mistakes and avoid being remembered as the worst manager in the club's history, or even in the Premier League.

Manchester United faces significant challenges in their quest to restore the long-lost glory days at Old Trafford. The manager needs to improve performance both on and off the pitch. Scouts must identify the right players for the club’s project to prevent unnecessary spending, and any player who is not fully committed to the team's cause should be shown the exit.

The new era, announced with Ruben Amorim's arrival in December, will officially begin at the start of the next season. It may feature several new players or largely consist of the current squad. With less pressure due to the absence of European competition, this is how a team undergoes a transition. To succeed, United will have to trust, as they can no longer skip the process.