A Night of Triumph and Tensions
Tottenham Hotspur ended a 17-year trophy drought with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final on May 21 at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium, but their celebrations stirred controversy, per The Sun on May 23, 2025. Brennan Johnson’s 42nd-minute goal secured the win, earning a £100m Champions League spot. However, post-match festivities escalated when Spurs players, reportedly shouting “F*ck you, Maguire” at Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, partied until 4am, fueled by beers and champagne in their dressing room before hitting Bilbao’s nightlife.
Maguire-Romero Clash Ignites Spat
Tensions flared during the match’s closing stages when Spurs’ Cristian Romero and Maguire clashed, a feud that spilled over post-whistle. The Sun reported that Spurs players were incensed by Maguire’s aggressive behavior, particularly after a late challenge on Romero, leading to the taunts. Video footage captured Maguire confronting Romero after the game, with the Argentine’s response—described as provocative by @MARCAinENGLISH—prompting Maguire’s heated reaction. @ManUtdMEN noted Maguire’s five-word retort, “You don’t talk like that,” highlighting the personal animosity.
From Pitch to Party
The Spurs squad’s celebrations began in the San Mamés dressing room, where they toasted their first trophy since 2008, per The Sun. The party moved to Bilbao’s bars, with players like Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke leading the revelry, as captured in fan videos on X. @SunTottenham reported the 4am festivities, with players chanting anti-Maguire slogans, reflecting lingering resentment. The taunts, while celebratory, drew criticism for unsportsmanlike conduct, with @GBNEWS calling Maguire’s response “dignified” despite the provocation.
Parade and Final Push
Tottenham will showcase their trophy in a north London open-top bus parade on May 23, starting at 5:30 PM from Edmonton Green, ending at the stadium for a trophy presentation, per tottenhamhotspur.com. The event, expected to draw thousands, follows a season of struggles, with Spurs at 16th in the Premier League (42 points), per Opta. Their final match against Brighton on May 25 offers a chance to climb above United (17th, 39 points). Ange Postecoglou, hailed for delivering on his “second-year trophy” promise, faces Brighton with renewed confidence, per The Telegraph.
What’s Next for United?
Manchester United, stung by their worst-ever Premier League campaign, face a trophyless season and no European football in 2025-26, per ESPN. Ruben Amorim, under pressure after the loss, admitted, “We were the better team but lacked quality,” per UEFA.com. Harry Maguire, a standout with a goal against Lyon and an assist in the semi-final, expressed disappointment but avoided commenting on the taunts, per BBC Sport. United’s last game against Aston Villa on May 25 is a chance to salvage pride, but the focus is on Amorim’s future, with @SkySportsPL noting Ratcliffe’s reluctance to sack him yet.
Lingering Questions
The Maguire taunts, while a footnote to Spurs’ triumph, raise questions about sportsmanship, especially given the reported dressing-room camaraderie post-match, where Maguire congratulated James Maddison, per The Guardian. The incident, amplified by X posts like @iLotNG_Official, reflects the intense rivalry, but @dreamteamfc urged focus on Spurs’ achievement over “petty jibes.” Tottenham’s parade and Brighton clash will cap a historic week, while United must regroup to avoid further embarrassment.
