Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will face off in a rare all-English Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on May 21.
This is a fixture bursting with narrative, history, and high stakes – yet one that no one could have predicted at least until the latter stages of the tournament.
These two clubs are no strangers to European success, although Spurs haven’t had much to cheer for in this competition since it was rebranded 15 years ago.
These are also clubs that are hoping to cap off a miserable domestic season with European success.
United and Tottenham are now 90 minutes – or maybe more – away from European glory and a place in next season’s Champions League.
The upcoming showpiece is a golden opportunity for either side to salvage an otherwise woeful campaign, so it’s no surprise that UEFA Europa League final tickets are selling out fast on Seatsnet.com.
Let’s break down the key talking points ahead of what promises to be a titanic clash in the Basque Country.
A season to forget – or remember?
Both clubs have been awful in the Premier League and are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
United are 16th on the log, one place above Tottenham in 17th. Yet their contrasting fortunes in Europe have allowed them to reframe the narrative of their seasons.
For Ruben Amorim’s United, Europe has been a lifeline.
Since the Portuguese manager’s appointment, his tactical decisions have come under intense scrutiny, with many undecided about whether he can handle the pressure of the Premier League.
But he has found his groove on the continental stage.
United are only the second English team to reach the Europa League final without tasting defeat, following in the footsteps of 2019 champions Chelsea.
The Red Devils survived a massive scare against Olympique Lyon in the quarter finals before demolishing Athletic Club 7-1 on aggregate to book their place in the final.
Tottenham fans have also had very little to cheer about this season, but they’ve leaned on the Europa League to provide some joy amid a frustrating domestic campaign.
Their exciting continental run is the reason Europa League tickets have become highly sought among Spurs fans on Seatsnet.com, and that trend is expected to continue in San Mames later this month.
Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final showed the efficiency and attacking intent that Spurs fans expected from Ange Postecoglou when he arrived.
This is the club’s first European final since the 2019 Champions League heartbreak, and they’re hungry to end a 17-year trophy drought.
“It’s going to upset a lot of people isn’t it?” Postecoglou said recently.
“Neither of us will get a trophy if we win – we’re just going to take a team picture. Who cares if we’re struggling in the league?
“This club and others have finished first, second and third in the Premier League and haven’t made finals. I couldn’t care less who is struggling and who’s not.
“Both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there. I’m looking forward to it, and it should be a great game.”
Familiar foes: The fourth meeting of the season
This won’t be the first time these two sides have met this season – or even the second or third.
In fact, Spurs have already beaten United three times – a 3-0 drubbing at Old Trafford, a narrow 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a thrilling 4-3 triumph in the League Cup sandwiched in between.
With such a strong record against United, many will be inclined to label Tottenham the favourites.
Postecoglou seems to have Amorim’s number, and their high-pressing, fluid system has caused United all sorts of problems this season.
However, former United midfielder Paul Scholes believes the final is a different beast.
“For some reason, the history of this club is almost like Real Madrid at times,” he said. “When they aren’t playing that well, they can still go on and win European cups.
“Manchester United’s history tells me they will win it, they know how to win trophies, Tottenham don’t.”
It’s a sentiment shared by many. United have lifted the Europa League before – most recently in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
They also reached the final in 2021, although they were bested by Villarreal in a gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out.
In contrast, Tottenham haven’t won a European title since 1984, when they lifted the UEFA Cup.
Former Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle offered a word of caution. “To beat a team four times also from the Premier League in one season is really tough,” Hoddle said.
“It will be a titanic battle. Spurs have had the upper hand at the moment, but United will be looking for revenge.”
A trophy on the line – and more
Lifting the Europa League would be a huge moment in itself, but there’s more on the line.
The winner will qualify for next season’s Champions League, regardless of where they finish in the league.
With both clubs stuck in the bottom half of the table, this is their only realistic route back to Europe’s elite competition.
It also carries weight for the managers. Postecoglou has endured a second season to forget – one plagued by injuries, fan frustration, and inconsistent performances.
He didn’t do himself any good when he reminded everyone that he always wins trophies in his second year with a club.
But he’s on course to maintain that record and, coincidentally, end Spurs’ 17-year wait for silverware. That’ll be enough to silence many of his critics, although it may not save his job.
The stakes are somehow even higher for Amorim. He was seen as a bold move by United’s board. He was supposed to usher the club into a new era after their struggles under Erik ten Hag.
However, his Premier League record has been woeful, leading to whispers that he may not be the right man for the job.
Winning a European trophy wouldn’t automatically make him a hero, or justify the club’s faith in him, but it’s a start. It would also lay a foundation for a more stable 2025/26 campaign.
Prediction: Who lifts the trophy?
According to Opta’s supercomputer, United hold the narrowest of advantages – a 50.7% chance of winning, compared to Tottenham’s 49.3%. In other words, it’s anyone’s game.
United are unbeaten in the Europa League. They also have a knack for rising to the occasion, so it would be silly to write them off.
On the flip side, Spurs, for all their flaws, have shown they can beat this United side.
If Postecoglou can get one last big performance from his players, and if Spurs can keep their nerves in check, this might finally be their moment.
