Ruben Amorim discovered his 10th Manchester United starter in Europa League final in Chelsea defeat

Another mea culpa for Manchester United. The sight of a defeated, disgruntled squad standing apologetically in front of supporters who had again given them backing they couldn't live up to has been a familiar one this season.

For the 18th time in the Premier League, United were beaten. This one doesn't even come close to entering the top 10 for embarrassments this term and, in many ways, they will just be happy to have escaped intact. But it was a familiar feeling and a familiar sight.

Having spent much of the game serenading Ruben Amorim and singing about Bilbao, the away end broke into 'We love United' at full-time. It felt telling. It was another reminder that they are sticking with the team despite a league table that makes for painful and shameful viewing. But then, this was never close to being the main event over the next week.

United could have been forgiven for just being glad this game was over. There were no injuries, no damaging loss of confidence, and no damage done. They didn't play like a team with both eyes elsewhere, but their Premier League season has been without a pulse for months.

European adventures have kept the fires burning, and one more awaits on Wednesday. Amorim will protest otherwise, and he is clearly embarrassed about a record of just six wins from his 26 Premier League games in charge, but this was a match Chelsea had to win, and United had to survive - which they did.

The clear blue skies and soaring temperatures made West London feel like Bilbao on Friday night. It was actually hotter in West London than in the Basque Country and the weather will again be better in Manchester next week, not that it will stop the travelling hordes from enjoying them.

You could hear United fans chanting