Never before in the history of European club competition finals have two sides teetering just above relegation found themselves on the brink of continental glory. Yet, the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League Final is set to deliver exactly that, as English giants Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United — likely to finish 16th and 17th respectively in the Premier League — prepare to face off in an unprecedented clash.
The final will be staged at San Mames,the home of the Athletic Club, the striking cathedral of football located in downtown Bilbao, the de facto capital of Spain’s Basque Country.
What is at Stake?
For both clubs, this is more than a final. The Europa League trophy offers a chance to end a turbulent domestic campaign on a rare high. Crucially, it also comes with qualification for the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League — a gateway to elite competition, additional revenue, and restored stature on the European stage.
But the implications don’t stop there. The outcome of this match is set to shape each club’s transfer strategy and summer rebuild. With both Tottenham and Manchester United expected to undergo significant changes in the off-season, the financial boost from European success could prove vital — especially under the scrutiny of the Football Association’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Journey to UEL Final
The campaigns of both teams have followed a strikingly similar trajectory in several respects. Not only did they finish just above the relegation zone, but both squads were heavily impacted by injuries, with key players sidelined and more than half the roster unavailable for large portions of the season.
However, their journeys through the Europa League present a notable contrast. Tottenham have encountered several roadblocks along the way, while Manchester United have enjoyed a near flawless run, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition.
Manchester United played 14 games in this season’s Europa League, winning 9 and drawing 5, with 3 of those draws occurring in the preliminary round. Tottenham, meanwhile, secured 9 wins, 3 draws, and suffered 2 defeats on their path to the final.
Team News
Manchester United have named a 26-man travelling squad for the Europa League final, featuring the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot, and Leny Yoro. Both Zirkzee and Dalot, who were previously reported to be out for the remainder of the season, have recovered in time to be included. However, Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out of the final due to injury.
Tottenham Hotspur have also received a timely boost, with captain Heung-Min Son returning from injury ahead of the clash in Bilbao. Meanwhile, James Maddison — initially expected to miss the final — was spotted boarding the team bus, as reported by the British press. Despite this, his involvement remains doubtful, with manager Ange Postecoglou confirming he is not expected to feature due to injury. Dejan Kulusevski is also ruled out of the game for Spurs.
Playing 11
Manchester United : Onana (GK); Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw; Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte; Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Rasmus Hojlund
Tottenham Hotspurs: Vicario (GK); Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky Van De Ven, Destiny Udogie; Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma; Richarlison, Heung-Min Son, Brennan Johnson; Dominic Solanki
What to Expect
The outcome of this final may hinge on which side can assert greater control in midfield — an area where both teams have struggled throughout the Premier League and domestic competitions this season. However, Manchester United have found some stability in the Europa League with the South American pairing of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.
While the duo has shown promise in the Europa League, Casemiro has notably found it difficult to impose himself against English opposition. Tottenham are well aware of this and are expected to apply pressure on him as a key tactical approach. Having already beaten United in all three of their encounters this season, Spurs will look to exploit familiar weaknesses in midfield to gain the upper hand once more.
Another potential vulnerability Tottenham could look to exploit is the lack of defensive contribution from Alejandro Garnacho on United’s right flank. This could open up opportunities for Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson to create overloads and 2v1 situations down that side.
For Manchester United, their greatest strength lies in their momentum and attacking fluidity. From Harry Maguire to Rasmus Hojlund everyone has scored a goal for United this UEL season.
They also boast a deeper bench, with several impact players capable of shifting the course of the game at any moment with Bruno Fernandes expected to be the center point should United achieve success in the 90 minutes at Bilbao
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