Europa League Final Preview: Tottenham vs Manchester United

A must-win final: Champions League football and managerial futures on the line.

Tottenham and Manchester United are to travel to Bilbao for the Europa League final, a game that not only guarantees the winner a long-awaited trophy, but also gives both teams an opportunity to salvage their disastrous seasons.

With United in 16th and Spurs 17th, there is no doubt that there will be an immense amount of pressure on both managers, Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou – a loss could see either of them sacked. On the contrary, a win would not only provide silverware, but also the opportunity to play in the Champions League this season.

Tottenham’s Injury Concerns Mount

Spurs will go into the game missing the creative sparks of playmakers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Spurs are without both Maddison and Kulusevski, who have a combined 44 goals contributions this season.

Maddison has 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions this season, whereas Kulusevski has 10 goals and 11 assists. To lose the two talismanic midfielders that have 44 goal contributions between them is a massive blow for Ange Postecoglou’s men.

They will also be without 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall, whose form over the season saw him rewarded with a new six-year contract. Another doubt for the game is Pape Matar Sarr, having picked up a knock in the 2–0 defeat to Aston Villa on Friday.

With the lack of creative talent at their disposal, they will need the star man Heung-Min Son to step up as he has in the past, despite his poor form throughout this season. However, the North London club’s poor form in the Premier League has not translated into their Europa League performances. They have only lost 2 of their last 14 games so far, and look to carry this form over into the final.

United Unbeaten in Europe Despite League Collapse

There is no doubt that United are a club in crisis. They have not won a Premier League game since their 3–2 victory against Ipswich on the 26th of February, having only picked up 9 points in the league since the start of 2025.

However, like Spurs, their form in the Europa League is comparably unrecognisable. The Red Devils have been undefeated in Europe this season, and have been the highest scorers in the tournament, scoring 35 goals — most notably the high-scoring wins against the likes of Real Sociedad (4–1) and Bilbao (7–1 on aggregate).

United are unbeaten in Europe and the competition’s top scorers - despite domestic struggles.

The main worry for Amorim’s men is the lack of first-team defenders available to them. Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martínez are all unavailable. Amorim has turned to fringe players Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf to use as a makeshift defence in recent games.

However, on the bright side, Mason Mount’s recent form has seen many say that the 26-year-old may be back to his best — coming just in time for the Europa League final.

Stars Must Deliver on the Big Stage

Fernandes and Son are expected to lead their sides in Bilbao.

United will still look for star man Bruno Fernandes to shine in the final, with the Portuguese midfielder having contributed 19 goals and 19 assists in all competitions this season.

This game has everything: a European final where both the managers’ jobs are on the line, and the only opportunity into European football next season. The result of this game could dictate the trajectory for both clubs for years to come.

Predicted Starting XIs

Only one team will lift the Europa League trophy and secure their place in next season’s Champions League.

Manchester United (3-4-3):

Onana, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu, Amad Diallo, Fernandes, Højlund

Tottenham (4-3-3):

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Bissouma, Gray, Johnson, Solanke, Son