Tottenham Vs Manchester Utd

As the 2024-25 season draws to a close, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United find themselves in unfamiliar territory—both clubs have endured dismal domestic campaigns but now stand one victory away from salvaging their seasons with European glory. On Wednesday, the two Premier League sides will clash in Bilbao for the Europa League final, a match that carries immense significance for their futures. For Spurs, it represents a chance to end a 17-year trophy drought, while United seek to replicate their 2017 triumph in the competition. With Champions League qualification also on the line, the stakes could not be higher.  

This marks the sixth all-English final in UEFA competition history, a testament to the enduring strength of the Premier League even as these two historic clubs struggle domestically. Both teams have stumbled through disappointing league campaigns—Tottenham sit 17th, while United are just one place above them in 16th—but success in Spain would provide a much-needed silver lining. The match will be held at San Mames, Athletic Bilbao’s iconic stadium, where one side will etch their name into Europa League folklore.  

For Tottenham, lifting the trophy would not only end years of frustration but also solidify their place among England’s most successful European clubs. They have won the UEFA Cup (the tournament’s predecessor) twice—in 1972 and 1984—and a third triumph would see them join Liverpool as the only English sides to achieve that feat. Their last major final appearance came in the 2019 Champions League, where they fell 2-0 to the Reds. Now, under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, they have navigated the Europa League’s league phase and knockout rounds to return to the grand stage.  

Postecoglou, the first Australian manager to lead a team to a major European final, has faced heavy criticism this season due to Spurs’ woeful league form. However, he has repeatedly pointed to his track record of winning trophies in his second year at every club he has managed. If Tottenham emerge victorious, it would validate his bold claim and offer hope for a brighter future. Their journey to the final has been impressive—they finished fourth in the league phase, just one point behind United, before eliminating AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt. Dominic Solanke has been instrumental, scoring in both legs of their semi-final triumph over the Norwegian side.  

Yet, their domestic struggles cannot be ignored. With just one game remaining, Spurs have suffered 21 Premier League defeats, a shocking collapse for a club that has consistently competed in Europe in recent years. Their most recent outing—a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa—did little to inspire confidence. However, they can take solace in their recent dominance over Manchester United, having beaten them three times this season: a 3-0 league win at Old Trafford, a thrilling 4-3 EFL Cup victory, and a 1-0 home triumph in February. In fact, United have failed to win any of their last six meetings with Spurs, a psychological edge that could prove crucial.  

For Manchester United, this final represents an opportunity to redeem what has been a chaotic and underwhelming campaign. Since their last Europa League triumph in 2017—when they defeated Ajax—they have struggled to replicate that success on the continental stage. A penalty shootout defeat to Villarreal in the 2021 final extended their frustrating run, having now lost three of their last four European finals. Manager Ruben Amorim, who took over at the start of the season, has endured a turbulent debut year in England, but victory in Bilbao would place him alongside José Mourinho and Erik ten Hag as the only United managers to win a major trophy in their first season.  

United’s path to the final has been dramatic, to say the least. After finishing third in the league phase, they survived an astonishing quarter-final against Lyon, where they squandered a two-goal lead in the second leg before mounting a late comeback in extra time. Harry Maguire’s last-gasp winner sealed a 7-6 aggregate victory, one of the most memorable European nights in recent memory. They then dismantled Athletic Bilbao—who had hoped for a fairytale home final—with a commanding 3-0 away win before completing the job with a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford.  

Offensively, United have been formidable in this competition, scoring 35 goals—a tally surpassed only by Borussia Mönchengladbach (1972-73), Porto (2010-11), and Chelsea (2018-19) in UEFA Cup/Europa League history. Their recent form has been explosive, netting 12 times in their last three matches. Bruno Fernandes, their captain and creative heartbeat, has been central to their success, while the experience of players like André Onana and Matthijs de Ligt—who faced United in the 2017 final as part of that young Ajax side—could prove invaluable.  

However, like Tottenham, their domestic woes have been glaring. A 1-0 loss to Chelsea last Friday marked their 18th league defeat of the season, leaving them just one point above Spurs in the table. With Champions League qualification resting solely on a Europa League triumph, the pressure is immense. Amorim’s side remains unbeaten in Europe this season, and if they can maintain that record, they will join an elite group of teams to win the competition without suffering a single defeat.  

As the two teams prepare for Wednesday’s showdown, the narrative is clear: this is more than just a cup final—it’s a chance for redemption. For Tottenham, victory would validate Postecoglou’s methods and finally deliver the trophy their fans have longed for. For Manchester United, it would offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dismal season and reinforce their status as a European force.  

The stage is set, the stakes are sky-high, and history awaits. One team will leave Bilbao as heroes, while the other will face yet another summer of soul-searching. In a season defined by struggles, the Europa League final offers one last shot at glory.