UEFA Europa League final player ratings: Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven star, Bruno Fernandes falters as Tottenham beat Manchester United

Incredibly, Tottenham Hotspur will be playing UEFA Champions League football next season after edging Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final. Brennan Johnson's first-half goal proved to be the winner as Spurs claimed a first European trophy since 1984. TNT Sports' Ben Snowball was in Bilbao to rate the players on a night where Spurs' defence excelled and United's key man faltered.

Highlights: Postecoglou delivers as Spurs beat Man Utd to end trophy drought

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Reset the clock, Tottenham Hotspur have won a major trophy for the first time since 2008.

It was a goal worthy of winning this game - and this game only. A defensive mix-up, a wicked deflection and the ball trickling over the line, entirely fitting of a clash between the 16th and 17th best teams in the Premier League.

A terrific atmosphere overshadowed the quality, although it was a highly absorbing encounter in Bilbao as Ange Postecoglou delivered on his claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season.

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On with the player ratings from Tottenham and Manchester United...

Tottenham

Guglielmo Vicario - 6 - A couple of early mistakes, including a customary flap at a corner, then collided with Dominic Solanke and had to be bailed out by the acrobatic Micky van de Ven in the second half. But made good a one-handed save from Alejandro Garnacho, then a crucial late stop in injury time.

Pedro Porro - 7 - His right foot shanked one into the net in the semi-final, but it was singing true in Spain as a magnificent delivery almost forced an early goal. But he was most impressive defensively.

Cristian Romero - 8 - Led the Spurs backline magnificently. A lot of attention has rightly been on Van de Ven, but this was a reminder of Romero's qualities.

Micky van de Ven - 8 - A colossus. Spurs missed him badly this season. Made a superb block to deny Fernandes at the end of the first half, then an absolutely outrageous acrobatic goal-line clearance to stop Hojlund equalising. Hang that photo in the Louvre.

Watch - Van de Ven makes astonishing clearance to deny Hojlund

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Destiny Udogie - 8 - This was the Udogie from his first season, bursting beyond his winger and popping up in odd spaces. So keen to get forward, occasionally too keen, and had a difficult first half against Amad Diallo, but this was his best performance of the season. Made a sensational tackle to stop Amad in the second half.

Yves Bissouma - 7 - This was the player Spurs were so keen to capture from Brighton & Hove Albion. Looked tidy and - crucially - solid defensively. Made an important late block to deny Joshua Zirkzee.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 8 - Superb. His intelligent run into the channel gave Pape Matar Sarr the space to cross for Spurs' opener, while he was playing about six different positions, such was his energetic display.

Pape Matar Sarr - 7 - Had the difficult task of filling the creative void left by Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, but he stepped up big time. His cross to Johnson proved the pivotal moment, and from then on, he became a big presence in the Spurs midfield.

Brennan Johnson - 7 - Spurs' best attacker in the first half. Got the fans going with a brilliant early run down the inside-right channel. Then he did the unthinkable: put Spurs ahead in a major final. His name will be forever written in the club's history.

Johnson: Tottenham get battered for not winning trophies but we got it done

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Dominic Solanke - 5 - Struggled to get involved early on, then couldn't quite provide the necessary composure during late counter-attacks. Got in Vicario's way as he came to collect a routine cross, which almost resulted in Rasmus Hojlund equalising.

Richarlison - 6 - Really up for it early on, and up to his usual tricks. Replaced by Son Heung-min after an energetic, passionate display.

Subs

Son Heung-min - 6 - His arrival lifted his team-mates, who were starting to drop ominously deep.

Kevin Danso - 7 - Postecoglou swapped a midfielder for a defender as they looked to see out victory. Made two crucial late headers inside his penalty area.

Archie Gray - N/A

Djed Spence - N/A

Manchester United

Andre Onana - 5 - Another shaky performance, although he probably couldn't have done anything about Johnson's opener after a wicked deflection off Luke Shaw.

Watch – Spurs take Europa League final lead in scrappy fashion

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Leny Yoro - 6 - United's second-youngest player in European final history, behind only the great Brian Kidd. Almost ran into trouble inside his own penalty area in the first half, but got away with it. Otherwise solid.

Harry Maguire - 6 - His rehabilitation under Ruben Amorim has been remarkable. United's best defender, although could he have done more to clear Spurs' opener?

Luke Shaw - 4 - Allowed Johnson to get the wrong side of him for the opening goal and was a clear target of the Tottenham press.

Noussair Mazraoui - 5 - Did brilliantly to deny Spurs a second goal on the counter as Solanke and Son ripped through. Otherwise struggled to make an impact.

Casemiro - 5 - Remarkably shaky given his status as the most experienced player on the pitch.

Bruno Fernandes - 5 - Instrumental in United's run to the final, but unable to convert that into the performance they needed most.

Patrick Dorgu - 6 - Looked very lively in the first half, but faded as the match wore on.

Amad Diallo - 7 - United's brightest spark. Had a really intriguing battle with Udogie and looked superb with the ball at his feet. Unlucky to be on the losing side.

‘It might have been 1-0…’ – Amad smashes effort across goal

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Rasmus Hojlund - 4 - Anonymous until he saw a header sensationally cleared off the line by Van de Ven. No surprise when Zirkzee replaced him.

Mason Mount - 5 - Ruben Amorim's big gamble failed to pay off, with Mount unable to replicate his semi-final heroics. Grew into the match in the second half before being hooked for Garnacho.

Subs

Joshua Zirkzee - 5 - Unable to make the difference United so badly needed him to make...

Alejandro Garnacho - 5 - ...and that assessment also applies to Garnacho, although he looked much more lively than Mount and arguably should have started.

Diogo Dalot - N/A

Kobbie Mainoo - N/A

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