Europa League Final: Tottenham Hotspur Vs Manchester United, Trophy Competition In The Middle Of Bad Season

JAKARTA - Two injured English giants, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, will face each other at Bilbao on Wednesday evening May 21 local time in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League final match. This match is the determinant for both of them to end a disappointing season with a title and a ticket to European competition next season.

Although the Premier League's performance was very disappointing, it slumped in 17th place Tottenham have the opportunity to end their long wait for their first major trophy since 2008. With two UEFA Cup titles (1972 and 1984), the victory at San Mates will make Spurs the second English club after Liverpool won Europe's second tier competition three times.

Coach Ange Postecoglou, who has come under great pressure during the season, could prove his own forecast: that he has always won trophies in his second season coaching any club. Tottenham advanced to the final after eliminating Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, having previously defeated AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt in the knockout stages.

They have performed quite impressively in the Europa League this season by recording nine wins from their best 14 matches in a European competition season.

But in the Premier League, the 0-2 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend added to the suffering of those who are now swallowing 21 defeats this season. However, Tottenham have a record good meeting against United this season: a 3-0 win at Old Trafford, 4-3 ahead in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, and a 1-0 win in the league game in February.

United Wants To Repeat History 2017

Manchester United came to the final unbeaten in the Europa League this season. They confirmed a ticket to Bilbao after destroying Athletic Bilbao's hopes in the semifinals with a 7-1 aggregate win.

Previously, Ruben Amorim's team also played a drama against Lyon in the quarter-finals, where they qualified 7-6 on aggregate after a dramatic rise in extra time.

With a total of 35 goals throughout the competition, United recorded a record third-high goal in Europa League history. They also have the opportunity to become the fourth team to win this competition without losing.

However, their domestic performance was no better than Tottenham. Last weekend's 0-1 defeat to Chelsea put United right in one position above Spurs in 16th place, only one point ahead. The way to the Champions League can only be achieved if they win in this final.

Tottenham will not be strengthened by any number of important players such as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner, and Radu Dragusin. However, the return of Heung-min Son and Dominic Solanke's sharp performance gave him a breath of fresh air. Solanke scored five goals and four assists in the Europa League this season and has always scored United's goal in the last four meetings.

Manchester United will rely on captain Bruno Fernandes who has scored seven goals in the competition, competing for the Golden Boots. Rasmus Hojlund (6 goals), as well as the return of Mason Mount and Amad Diallo also gave additional options in attack.

However, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Diogo Dalot are doubtful, while Leandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are ruled out.

Estimated Lineup Of Tottenham Hotspur Players (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Manchester United (3-4-2-1):Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund

Match record:

- This is the sixth European final in history to bring together two English clubs.

- Tottenham have not won a European final since 1984.

- United last won the Europa League in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.