The 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League final, set for May 21st, 2025, at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao pits Tottenham against Manchester United, a game that holds immense stakes, with the winner securing the trophy and a coveted spot in the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League, while the loser faces a trophyless season and exclusion from European competition.
This battle for Champions League qualification carries significant implications for other clubs vying for European spots.
Both teams have endured dismal Premier League campaigns, with Tottenham languishing in 17th and Manchester United in 16th, marking their worst-ever domestic finishes.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is hoping to end his club 17 years Trophy drought by securing a win in the Europa League.
The former Australia and Celtic boss, who has claimed he “always wins things in my second season”, will be hoping his luck shines on him again.
With Tottenham languishing in 17th place in the Premier League, facing their worst domestic season since relegation in 1977, speculation surrounds Postecoglou’s future, with reports indicating that even a Europa League victory tomorrow may not secure his position.
However, the manager remains unfazed by the rumours, focusing on the final.
At his press conference in Bilbao today, he said “I wouldn’t be the first person who changes jobs. We all change jobs.”
“My future’s assured. I’ve got a beautiful family, I’ve got a great life, I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is, so don’t worry about my future”.
He also showed optimism heading into the final and sharply addressed a journalist who labelled him a ‘clown’ in an article questioning his Spurs legacy.
On the other hand, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will be hoping to get one over Tottenham in the final tomorrow after his side lost in all three meetings this season.
In his press conference, the United boss said that, even if they win the Europa League, nothing is going to change our season but winning the title “can help us have the feeling that can help us to build a future.
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says the three players returning from injury are ready to contribute against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
Striker Joshua Zirkzee, who suffered an injury during United’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle, has fully recovered.
Similarly, defender Diogo Dalot, sidelined by a calf injury since late April, and Leny Yoro, who limped off against West Ham, are both back in contention for the crucial match.
Tottenham Team News
Ange Postecoglou, in his conference, also confirmed that Lucas Bergvall will not be available for the UEFA Europa League Final and that the squad going into Wednesday’s showpiece is ‘pretty much the same as last week.’
He also confirmed that Pape Matar Sarr ‘is fine’ after departing early from Sunday’s Premier League clash at Villa ‘feeling his back’.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference from Estadio de San Mames on Wednesday afternoon, Ange said: “Team news is pretty much the same, Lucas is not available, so we’re pretty much the same as we were last week”.
That means the midfielder remains out alongside James Maddison, who has been a rare sparkle in a forgettable season will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained in Tottenham’s 3-1 Europa League semi-final first-leg win over Bodø/Glimt.
Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Dane Scarlett will also miss the final due to injury.
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Head to Head
Manchester United hold a historical edge over Tottenham Hotspur, with 96 wins, 51 draws, and 57 losses across all competitions.
The two sides have faced off in European competition only twice, both in the 1963/1964 Cup Winners’ Cup.
Results This Season
Man Utd 0-3 Spurs
Spurs 4-3 Man Utd
Spurs 1-0 Man Utd
Last ‘Final’ Meeting
The last time Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur met in a cup final was the 2008/09 League Cup final at Wembley.
The match ended in a goalless draw after 120 minutes, with Manchester United winning 4-1 on penalties, thanks to a standout performance by goalkeeper Ben Foster, who saved a crucial penalty from Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon.
Prediction
A loss in this Europa League final would be a devastating blow for either team, but Manchester United have a knack for rising to the occasion in European competitions.
Their resilience gives them the edge.
Predicted score: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
Recording Date: 20.05.2025