Manchester United got what was coming to them in Bilbao - now Ruben Amorim has no excuses

There is only so long a team can ride its luck for and on a cloudy night in Bilbao, Manchester United found out they had rolled the dice once too often. There is to be no salvation this season. No silverware to wash away the stains of mediocrity that have engulfed this football club.

For two years, United have been failing upwards. Last season, they lost 14 times in the Premier League and finished eighth. This season, they have lost 18 times (with one still to play) and could finish 17th. They've been getting worse, but somehow climbing closer to the promised land.

On Wednesday night, they finally fell to Earth. Now the reality will sink in, and it will be a painful one for the players and Ruben Amorim and his staff. Amorim's song was still being belted out long into the night in Bilbao, but he is mostly responsible for overseeing United's worst season in more than 50 years.

For months, United have clung to a Thursday night tightrope, overcoming a series of games that promised to define their season. But the journey was going to end one way or the other in the Basque Country, and this time, they couldn't keep their balance. Instead of the Champions League, there will be a season that could be as short as 40 games.

There will be nine Premier League clubs in Europe next season, but somehow United won't be one of them. They will be watching along with the other also-rans, the Wolves and West Ham's of this world. Both are recent winners at Old Trafford.

That is where United are in the food chain now, and Amorim knows it. He has delivered a very different message ahead of this final to Ange Postecoglou. Amorim knows his team aren't ready for the Champions League and he admitted as much last week.

"That is my feeling," said