Casemiro's remarkable record in European finals comes to sad end by Spurs' hands

Casemiro missed out on an enormous pay rise after Manchester United succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

A Brennan Johnson goal separated the two sides in an all-English final which was drastically short on quality.

Johnson gave Spurs the lead just before half time and Ange Postecoglou's side held on to win their first trophy since 2008 and their first European title in 41 years.

The stunning victory means Tottenham will remarkably compete in the Champions League next season despite sitting in a lowly 17th place in the Premier League.

Manchester United are just one place above Spurs with a single league fixture remaining this season and they were unable to provide their fans with anything to cheer about in Bilbao.

As well as missing out on European glory, Casemiro, who played the full 90 minutes at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium, will reportedly also forgo a huge £125,000-a-week pay rise.

The Brazilian midfielder, who extraordinarily claimed that this campaign has been 'one of the most successful' of his career, was set to pocket £500,000-a-week if the Red Devils won their second Europa League trophy.

Casemiro, whose contract expires in 2026, will now have to make do with his current £375,000 weekly salary.

The 33-year-old had a clause in his contract which would increase his pay by a huge 25 per cent if Ruben Amorim's side reached the Champions League next season.

Casemiro himself has won a flurry of major trophies, including five Champions Leagues, three LaLiga titles and the Copa America.

United's defeat marked the midfielder's first ever loss in a European final, having won three European Super Cups to add to his Champions League victories.

Casemiro was initially frozen out by Ruben Amorim after his arrival in November before forcing his way back into the starting XI.

And the 33-year-old ranks this season among his very best in the game.

'It's been a long time since I've been through a moment like this, where the coach doesn't count on you, but you keep working, keep doing things well,' he told ESPN Brasil.

'Of course, you want to win titles, but one of the most successful seasons of my career, without a doubt, was this one.

'For turning things around, with hard work and dedication.'

Twelve months ago, Casemiro was urged to 'call it day' by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after his woeful performance in United's 4-0 defeat by Crystal Palace.

'I always remember something when I retired myself,' the ex-Liverpool defender said. 'There was a saying I always remember as a footballer, "leave the football before the football leaves you".

'The football has left him at this top level he needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.'

The Brazilian showed little improvement at the start of the season and was substituted at half-time of United's 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford after being at fault for the Reds' first two strikes.

Amorim appeared to be unimpressed with the Casemiro that greeted him in Manchester and started the veteran just four times in his first 13 matches in the United dugout.

But the former Real Madrid star has gradually worked his way back into the Portuguese's plans and proved particularly effective in United's dramatic Europa League campaign.

The Brazilian scored in both rounds of the semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao and registered three assists in the stunning quarter-final second leg comeback win over Lyon.