Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United meet in Bilbao for the UEFA Europa League final, each hoping to salvage a chaotic domestic campaign with European glory. While both clubs have endured turbulent league seasons, they are now one win away from rewriting the narrative with a major continental triumph.
Tottenham Hotspur: One game to redeem a season of struggle
Despite a grim Premier League season that leaves them 17th with one match left, Tottenham have impressed in Europe, winning nine of their 14 matches, their best-ever return in a UEFA competition. Ange Postecoglou’s men brushed aside Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, after eliminating AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt. Now chasing their first trophy in 17 years and a third UEFA Cup/Europa League crown, Spurs are one step from silverware and a backdoor into next season’s Champions League.
Manchester United: A rollercoaster ride to Bilbao
United’s path to Bilbao has been anything but smooth, highlighted by a dramatic 7-6 aggregate win over Lyon and a comprehensive semi-final demolition of Athletic Club. Ruben Amorim’s men have racked up 35 goals in the tournament, only three teams in history have managed more in a single campaign, and remain unbeaten in Europe this season. Their league form, however, tells a different story. With 18 defeats, they sit just one point above Spurs and outside the European qualification spots unless they win on Wednesday.
Team News
Postecoglou rotated heavily against Aston Villa but key starters will return in Bilbao. Guglielmo Vicario reclaims his place in goal, joined by Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Brennan Johnson, and Dominic Solanke. Heung-min Son is set to start again after recovering from injury. Spurs will be without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner, and Radu Dragusin.
For United, Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund will lead the attack, supported by Mason Mount and Amad Diallo, both effective in the semi-finals. Matthijs de Ligt remains a doubt, while Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, and Diogo Dalot are just returning to fitness. Lisandro Martinez is ruled out until next season.
Players to Watch
Dominic Solanke enters the final in fine form, having scored in his last four matches against Manchester United (five goals total) and contributing directly to nine goals in this Europa League campaign (five goals, four assists). Only two players in the competition’s history have recorded at least five goals and five assists in a single season.
Bruno Fernandes could join that list with seven goals and four assists so far. Only Lyon’s Rayan Cherki (12) has more goal involvements in this season’s Europa League. Fernandes is also chasing Olivier Giroud’s record of 15 goal contributions in a single UEL campaign for an English club (Chelsea, 2018-19).
Predicted Line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Manchester United:
Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
Match Info
Venue: Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
Kick-off: 8pm WAT
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
What’s at Stake
For both sides, it’s not just silverware. Victory means automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, a lifeline for two clubs who find themselves adrift from Europe’s elite through league performance.
For Postecoglou, a win would affirm his “second-season success” mantra and end Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a trophy.
For Amorim, lifting the Europa League in his debut campaign would place him alongside Mourinho and Ten Hag as managers who won silverware in their first season at Old Trafford.
