Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

The Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United is scheduled on Wednesday in Bilbao, with both teams hoping to finish disappointing seasons on a high note.

As they prepare for the sixth all-English UEFA final, domestic shortcomings can be set aside for 90 minutes or longer. Like Spurs, United's hopes of qualifying for Europe the next season depend on their performance at San Mames.
After 17 years without winning a major trophy, Tottenham could yet end the 2024–25 season with one despite all the negativity their Premier League campaign has brought forth.

Tottenham and Manchester United Clash in High-Stakes Europa League Final

Tottenham Hotspur, twice UEFA Cup champions in 1972 and 1984 before the tournament evolved into the Europa League, now stand on the brink of history. A victory in Spain would cement them as only the second English club—alongside Liverpool—to claim Europe’s second-tier competition three times. Their journey to the final marks a redemption arc of sorts: after a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the 2018-19 Champions League final, Spurs navigated the Europa League’s inaugural league phase and knockout rounds to return under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager, the first from his nation to lead a team to a major European final, has faced scrutiny in recent months but remains defiant, citing his track record of securing silverware in his second season at every club. Spurs now aim to uphold that tradition.

Their path to the final included a commanding 5-1 aggregate semifinal win over Norwegian innovators Bodo/Glimt, powered by Dominic Solanke’s brace across both legs. Finishing fourth in the league phase—one point behind Manchester United—Tottenham eliminated AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt, tallying nine wins in 14 Europa League matches this season. Remarkably, this marks their most victories in a single continental campaign. Yet their Premier League struggles starkly contrast: languishing in 17th with one game remaining, Spurs have suffered 21 league defeats. A recent 2-0 loss to Aston Villa highlighted their domestic woes, though their dominance over Manchester United this season offers hope.

Spurs’ Psychological Edge Over United
Tottenham swept all three meetings with United in 2024-25: a 3-0 league rout at Old Trafford, a thrilling 4-3 EFL Cup quarterfinal victory, and a 1-0 home league win in February. United, meanwhile, arrive winless in their last six clashes with Spurs across competitions. Historically, the clubs’ sole European encounter came in the 1963-64 Cup Winners’ Cup, where United edged a 4-3 aggregate quarterfinal tie. While Spurs chase their first continental trophy since 1984, the Red Devils aim to replicate their 2017 Europa League triumph over Ajax—a squad featuring current stars André Onana and Matthijs de Ligt.

United’s Rollercoaster Road to Bilbao
United’s campaign has been a mix of drama and resilience. After a chaotic 7-6 aggregate quarterfinal win over Lyon—sealed by Harry Maguire’s last-gasp goal—they dismantled Athletic Bilbao’s dream of a home final with a 3-0 first-leg away win, followed by a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford. With 35 goals scored, they sit just shy of the Europa League’s all-time scoring records. Manager Rúben Amorim, despite a turbulent domestic season, could join José Mourinho and Erik ten Hag as the only United bosses to lift a major trophy in their debut year. However, Friday’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea—their 18th league defeat—left them 16th, just a point above Spurs, amplifying the stakes in Bilbao.

A Battle of Contrasting Fortunes
Both clubs enter the final desperate to salvage seasons marred by inconsistency. For Spurs, ending a 40-year continental drought would validate Postecoglou’s bold vision. For United, glory would offset a dismal Premier League campaign and secure Champions League qualification. With history, pride, and European prestige on the line, this clash promises to be a defining moment for two giants in transition.