Europa League Final: Tottenham vs Manchester United – All You Need to Know

TDT | Manama

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Tonight at San Mamés in Bilbao, two of England’s most storied clubs – Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United – go head-to-head in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League final, with far more than a trophy at stake. Both clubs are aiming to salvage dismal domestic seasons by securing silverware and a place in next season’s Champions League.

Despite historically poor Premier League finishes – United in 16th, Spurs in 17th – the Europa League offers one of them a chance at redemption. This will be a final rich in narrative, history, and consequence. Here’s everything to know.

Seven Key Subplots

• Tottenham's Dominance Over United This Season

Spurs have beaten United three times already this season, scoring eight goals and leading for over 90% of the game time across those matches. United haven’t held a lead against Spurs at any point. A fourth win would be unprecedented for Spurs, and a fourth defeat would be historic in the wrong way for United.

•  A Shot at Redemption After Dismal League Campaigns

Whichever side lifts the trophy tonight will become the lowest-ranked team ever in their domestic league to win a major European competition. No previous European trophy winner has finished lower than 14th domestically. United and Spurs could rewrite that history.

• Tottenham’s Creativity Crisis

With Maddison, Kulusevski, and Bergvall all injured, Spurs are without their three best creative players. This forces them to rely on Heung-min Son, Pedro Porro, and transitions for attacking threat. Their midfield lacks natural playmakers, making their offensive approach a key unknown tonight.

• United's Finishing Woes

United have one of the worst shot conversion rates in the Premier League (8.4%), underperforming their expected goals by 10.5. Spurs, by contrast, have outperformed theirs. Man United will need to be far more clinical than they have been all season to have a chance.

• Bruno Fernandes: The Europa League King

With 27 goals and 19 assists, Fernandes is the most productive player in Europa League history since its 2009 rebranding. He’s involved in 46 goals, leads in knockout-stage contributions (32 in 33 games), and created more chances (158) than any other active player. This is his stage.

• Two Erratic Goalkeepers Under Pressure

Both André Onana (Man Utd) and Guglielmo Vicario (Spurs) have had mixed seasons. Onana leads all Premier League goalkeepers in errors leading to goals (5), while Vicario’s struggles at set-pieces and in build-up play have cost Spurs. However, both are capable of game-changing saves — or mistakes.

• Spurs’ Reinvented Defence

In Europe, Spurs have looked transformed defensively. With Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, and Vicario together, they’ve conceded just two goals across four knockout games, and limited top-tier opponents to very low-quality chances. They’ll need to replicate that solidity tonight.

 Match Context

• Winner earns a Champions League spot
  
  

• United aim to avoid a fourth straight loss to Spurs
  
  

• Tottenham seek their first major European title since 1984
  
  

Both teams are desperate to end difficult seasons on a high. Manchester United’s last Europa League success was in 2017, while Tottenham haven’t won a European trophy in over 40 years.

Bilbao or Bust

This final is wide open. Spurs have the edge in this season’s head-to-head record, but United have Bruno Fernandes, a midfield still intact, and a point to prove.

The Europa League final kicks off tonight in Bilbao at 10PM (Bahrain time) – a chance for salvation, history, and glory.