MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham have one last chance to end their torrid campaigns with glory as they face off in TONIGHT’S mouthwatering Europa League final!
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim is on course to record United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish during his debut season at the helm – currently 16th following a recent 1-0 loss to Chelsea.
But, despite that, Amorim incredibly has the chance to secure United their first bit of European silverware since 2017.
However, under-fire Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou promised that he always ‘delivers a trophy in his second season’ and will be desperate to end Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought.
With Champions League qualification for next season also up for grabs, this has all the ingredients to be a classic affair.
- Kick-off time: 8pm BST
- TV channel: TNT Sports 1
- Live stream: Discovery+
- Man Utd starting team: To follow
- Tottenham starting team: To follow
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Follow ALL the action from the Europa League final with our live blog below…
Road to Bilbao
Man Utd have probably had the trickier of routes to the final, beating Real Sociedad and Lyon before knocking out final hosts Athletic Bilbao in the semis.
Spurs recorded narrow victories over AZ Alkmaar and Frankfurt in the last 16 and quarter-finals, respectively.
But Ange Postecoglou’s men booked their spot in the final in style with a 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt in the semis.
Triple boost for Amorim
Manchester United were handed a triple boost with the returns of Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirzee.
The trio were included in the Red Devils’ matchday squad for tonight’s Europa League final yesterday.
On the availability of the stars, Ruben Amorim said: “They recovered quite well, they pushed, of course we have to respect the feeling of the player, we pushed a little bit because they wanted to be part of the team.
“It’s a very good sign. They are limited in the minutes (they can play) but they can help us to win the game.”
Credit: GETTY No invite for Ten Hag
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly not been invited to tonight’s Europa League final.
The Dutchman led the Red Devils to the Europa League after winning the 2023/24 FA Cup.
Ten Hag was also in charge of three matches during United’s league phase campaign, before he was sacked and replaced by Ruben Amorim last November.
It remains to be seen if Ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Marcus Rashford will receive a medal for their involvement in the early part of the Europa League.
Unlike Ten Hag, Louis van Gaal was invited to the 2017 Europa League final, despite his sacking on the back of winning the FA Cup in 2016.
Credit: Getty
Devil in detail
The position of Bruno Fernandes against a depleted Tottenham midfield is the key to Manchester United winning the Europa League.
Amorim has a conundrum – whether to play his skipper in one of the No10 positions or deeper in his midfield two.
United must trust Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in the final so Fernandes can be used in a free role further up the pitch.
When he has played as one of the No10s, he is expected to run in-behind and stretch defences.
But this does not suit his game and, against Micky van de Ven, is a waste of time.
Amorim must ditch that and let his most complete player have freedom, drifting out the structure to give Spurs a headache.
Locals getting amongst it
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty The big six
SIX Premier League teams will be able to qualify for next season’s Champions League!
UEFA awards the two leagues with the best set of collective results in European competitions with an extra Champions League spot.
And Arsenal’s 3-0 quarter-final win over 15-time champions Real Madrid in April confirmed that the Premier League would get one of these spots.
Meaning that finishing fifth in the Prem would earn you a place in next year’s Champions League.
But five qualification spots became six a couple of weeks back as Manchester United and Tottenham set up their Europa League final showdown in Bilbao.
This ensures that an English team will win the Europa League and therefore claim a place in Europe’s premier competition next season.
United forced to make change to kit
Tottenham have been drawn as the home team for the Europa League final, which means they will wear their all-Lilywhite shirt with navy blue sleeves, paired with white shorts and white socks.
In domestic competitions, Spurs usually wear navy shorts, but due to a European tradition dating back to 1961, the North London outfit have opted for white shorts this evening.
Man Utd will don their red home shirts, but are forced to change their more customary white shorts.
The Red Devils will pair their iconic strip with black shorts and black socks – the same combination they wore in the last-16 away leg at Real Sociedad.
Spurs’ goalkeeper will wear a yellow strip while Man Utd’s shot stopper will be in all green.
Credit: Getty A familiar face on stage
Former Tottenham midfielder Sandro is on stage in the Spurs fan zone in Bilbao.
The Brazilian is belting out “glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur” to the delight of the faithful.
Can the North Londoners live up to the chant and claim glory this evening?
Credit: PA Atmosphere building
Credit: PA Credit: PA
Suited and booted
Manchester United players prepared for the Europa League final by getting fitted with £1,000 Paul Smith suits.
United have a long tradition of wearing smart outfits before a final, dating back to the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Last year they were suited and booted before winning the FA Cup against Manchester City.
And the Red Devils have now had new ones forged by bespoke tailoring outfit Paul Smith.
Their partnership dates back to 2008 and, according to the Paul Smith website, “is still going strong.”
Highlights from the legends match
Here are some shots of the thrilling match which saw Basque beat the UEFA legends on penalties ahead of tonight’s final.
Can you spot some of your favourite players?
Gunning for it
An Arsenal fan received a torrent of abuse after walking through Tottenham fans in Bilbao wearing a Gunners shirt.
Spurs supporters have taken over the Spanish city in preparation for the Europa League final.
Thousands are in Bilbao, many without tickets, and there is a party atmosphere with songs being sung and flares being set off.
One brave Arsenal fan decided to have some fun with a contingent of Tottenham fans, brazenly strolling through a crowd with an Gunners shirt on.
The Spurs fans reacted by abusing the supporter, singing: “W*****! W*****!W*****!”
This surely must have been a dare?!
When the Spurs go marching in
Even more chaos from Tottenham fans in Bilabo.
This is shaping up to be some clash!
Is this the Zway?
Felix Zwayer will be the man in the middle for TONIGHT’S huge Europa League final encounter between rivals Manchester United and Tottenham.
Here is everything you need to know about the referee who received a six-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal.
He made his Bundesliga debut in 2012 and soon become a regular fixture in their matches.
In 2005, his career took a hit when he found himself involved in a match-fixing scandal.
It was revealed that he accepted a €300 bribe from referee Robert Hoyzer, who was involved in a larger match-fixing scandal at the time in Germany.
Felix was banned from refereeing for six months by the German Football Association (DFB) as a result of his involvement.
United’s alternative parade plans
If United do get the opportunity to rejoice in Europa League glory, the chiefs of the club are reportedly planning to celebrate with a barbecue instead.
However, the BBQ could be even less glamorous than it sounds – as major building work is taking place at Carrington.
It’s understood the event – for players, staff and their families – would be the day after the final.
This will come as a real shame to United fans who haven’t seen an open-top bus parade since the special occasion which heralded the Red Devils’ 20th Prem title and the retirement of manager Sir Alex Ferguson after his golden reign of 27 years.
Feast your eyes on this
Manchester United fans are flocking to the food court and the names of the burgers are incredible!
Bus terminates here
Manchester United fans have been left devastated after finding out that there will be NO open-top bus parade should their club win the Europa League final – but there’s an alternative plan.
After tonight’s final, the Red Devils finish their Prem campaign at home to Aston Villa on Sunday week.
Then comes a gruelling 15-hour flight to Asia for money-spinning tour games in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on May 28 and 30.
So United will have to wait longer for another open-top bus parade – having not held one since 2013.
Credit: AP:Associated Press Flares and football
United fans continue to flock the streets and make their voices heard ahead of tonight’s Europa League final thriller.
You can barely tell what colour the sky is.
Man Utd’s incredible omens
The Red Devils beat Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm eight years ago, courtesy of goals by Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
On that occasion they were managed by a Portuguese in Jose Mourinho, who had replaced a sacked FA Cup-winning Dutchman in Louis van Gaal.
Amorim is a Portuguese boss and replaced sacked Dutchman Ten Hag, who lifted the FA Cup last season…
Speaking of Mourinho, the former United boss won his first European trophy on May 21, 2003 – at the age of 40 years, three months and 24 days.
Tonight’s final will also take place on May 21, with Amorim just one day younger than Mourinho was.
In addition to this, United’s rivals Manchester City last went trophyless in 2017.
By losing to Palace on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s side were condemned to their first season without silverware since the 2016-17 campaign.
Tottenham’s amazing omens
In March, Newcastle upset the odds to beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final – earning their first silverware since lifting the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
And just last week, Italian side Bologna won the Coppa Italia – beating AC Milan 1-0 in Rome to end a 51-year wait for a trophy.
Former Tottenham hero Harry Kane recently won the Bundesliga at the second time of asking, scoring 26 goals along the way to earning the first trophy of his career.
Most recently, Crystal Palace upset Manchester City in the FA Cup final to lift the first major silverware in their entire history.
It’s been the season of fresh trophy winners – and Spurs will be hoping to join the party by earning their third Europa League triumph, having won its former iteration, the Uefa Cup, in 1971 and 1984.
Views from SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge in Bilbao
And the boys from the Basque country have done the double… snatching the shoot-out 6-5.
Even the keepers had a shot.. and, bless him, ex- United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak showed why he’s probably best between the sticks.
It was great fun though, and despite Jesus Navas losing, he’ll be happy after scooping the man of the match award. He was pretty tasty to be fair and would have got my vote…
We managed to speak to the two ex-Man Utd stars on show and they gave us their predictions for tonight
Nani said ‘United have to win’ and when pushed on whether they will, he said ‘YES’.
Tomasz Kuszczak was a bit more specific with his forecast. The 2008 Champions League winner boldly tipped his old side to win 3-1.
Not long now until we find out…
Views from SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge in Bilbao
It’s finished 15-12 to the Basque legends, and I think most would agree that’s a fair scoreline.
But we’re having penalties anyway…. and why the hell not?
A lot of people see tonight going to a shootout so let’s whet our appetites for some spot-kick drama.
Views from SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge in Bilbao
Goal, shot, goal, shot, save, goal, shot… I cannot keep up with this….
The commentary may well be in Basque too…if it was in Spanish I might stand a chance… probably not though.
Final call
Roy Keane has landed a new job for the Europa League final.
The former Manchester United captain has appeared as a pundit regularly this season for Sky Sports and ITV.
Keane shared his prediction for the final ahead of kick-off, suggesting his former club will “edge it” thanks to their history and the quality of Bruno Fernandes.
He said: “You still have to fancy United, someone like Bruno can produce, the history of Manchester United still carries a little bit of weight.
“There’s not much between them [in the league] but come the crunch, come the final, United’s history in finals, them winning cups the last few years, you’d like to think they would have a bit more knowledge around the game than Spurs.
“That might edge it for them, and I think Bruno can produce that bit of magic.”
Views from SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge from Bilbao
It’s all level at half time with both sets of players looking like they’re happy to have a breather
The weather is not even that hot but the pace has been pretty frenetic.
Saying that, Nani was still playing last year so I reckon he could keep going for a while.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
