Europa League Final: Manchester United vs Tottenham - A Trophy to Save Their Seasons?

Manchester United and Tottenham face off in the Europa League final, with both teams seeking redemption from disappointing league campaigns. Get the latest preview and prediction.

Manchester United and Tottenham will face off in the Europa League final, each seeking redemption from their disappointing Premier League seasons. A win would not only bring silverware but also a coveted spot in next season's Champions League.

The stakes are high, with a potential £100 million ($133 million) reward for reaching the Champions League. This lucrative prize is a major motivator for both teams as they battle it out at Bilbao's San Mames stadium.

Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, are struggling in 16th place with 18 league losses, marking their worst top-flight campaign in 50 years. Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham sit 17th, having suffered a club-record 21 defeats, and are on track for their worst season since returning to the top tier in 1978.

Both teams' focus on European success has seemingly come at the expense of their league form, with their slide down the table accelerating in recent weeks. A Europa League triumph would provide a much-needed distraction from their domestic struggles.

Manchester United are struggling, having gone eight league games without a win - a record low in the Premier League era. Their latest defeat came against Chelsea, just before the Europa League final.

Tottenham are also in poor league form, with five losses in six matches, including a recent defeat to Aston Villa. Despite being two-time winners of the Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup), Spurs are desperate to break their 17-year trophy drought, with their last European win dating back to 1984.

Tottenham reached their first Champions League final in 2019 but fell short against Liverpool in a lackluster match. Coach Ange Postecoglou believes the Europa League final could be a turning point for the club, given their trophy-less run over the past 20 years.

Manchester United's fortunes have declined since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, but they did experience some recent success under Erik ten Hag, winning the FA Cup and League Cup in the past two seasons.

Ruben Amorim's tenure as Manchester United manager has been challenging, with just six wins in 26 Premier League games since taking charge in November. However, the Europa League has brought some respite, with notable victories over Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao, and a thrilling comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals.

Amorim is well aware of the enormity of the task ahead in turning United's fortunes around, but a Europa League triumph could be the catalyst for change. The Portuguese manager will be drawing inspiration from the club's dramatic Champions League win in 1999 as he guides his team against Tottenham.

Tottenham will be without injured midfielders James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, and Dejan Kulusevski for the Europa League final, but captain Son Heung-min is fit to play. Despite their injury woes, Spurs showed resilience in overcoming Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals.

Postecoglou is focused on the final, saying, “Who cares if we're struggling in the league... I'm looking forward to it and it should be a great game.” However, even a win might not secure his job, as he noted, “(If we win) it's going to upset a lot of people isn't it?”

Ruben's Reds are going to Bilbao 🏆#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/hOYwHbFEG6

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 17, 2025

“I'm not concerned about the final, it's by far the smallest problem in our club,” said the former Sporting Lisbon boss.

“We need to change something that is deeper than this.”

United's Unlikely Underdog Status

The tables have turned in the Manchester United-Tottenham rivalry. Once considered pushovers for Sir Alex Ferguson's dominant United, Spurs have now won all three meetings this season, including two Premier League matches and a League Cup encounter. According to Roy Keane, Ferguson's pre-match team talk used to be a dismissive “lads, it's Spurs.”

Our focus shifts to Wednesday now.#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/Mf4uhmB9Z4

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 18, 2025

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou remains unbeaten in five matches against United. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the unusual circumstances, saying, “If you think about the odds, it's hard for the club to lose four times in a row.”

Manchester United boast experienced players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who know how to win trophies. “They know how to win trophies, Tottenham don't,” said former United midfielder Paul Scholes, highlighting the team's potential.

Despite United's dismal domestic form, manager Ruben Amorim is expected to retain his job, thanks to the team's Europa League success. In contrast, Ange Postecoglou's future is uncertain, with the Australian coach likely to depart if he fails to deliver a trophy in his second season.