Two battered English sides, United and Spurs, kick off in Bilbao, chasing Europa League glory to rescue their season and book a Champions League ticket.
United brings 26 players, but De Ligt is sidelined. Spurs suffer big injury blows, pinning hopes on Son Heung-Min and Dominic Solanke.
Scripts that work
Here is how the final is steeped in historical echoes that tilt the scales toward United and Tottenham:
- – Casemiro has never lost a European final, winning all seven with Real Madrid. His experience could be United’s trump card.
- – United are the only team unbeaten in European competition this season – 13 games without a loss
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- – Ange Postecoglou has a knack for winning trophies in his second season, having done so with Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Celtic.
- – Andre Onana has never won a European final, losing with Ajax in 2017 and Inter in 2023.
- – In 2017, Manchester City went trophyless and United won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho (Portuguese) after Louis van Gaal (Dutch).
- – City are trophyless again, and United are led by Ruben Amorim (Portuguese) after Erik ten Hag (Dutch).
- – With Amorim replacing Ten Hag, who won the FA Cup, the 2017 parallel is striking, as Van Gaal also won the FA Cup before Mourinho’s Europa League triumph.
- – Teams unfamiliar with trophies are winning this season, suggesting it’s “Tottenham’s time.”
- – When Arsenal finish second in the Premier League, United often win a trophy. Arsenal’s second-place finish this season could bode well for United.
- – On Wednesday 21 May, 2008, Man Utd beat Chelsea, a London club, to win the UCL – a European trophy. Manchester United plays another London club, Tottenham, in the UEL final—a European trophy, on the same day.
- – The 2025 Europa final is a must-win showdown. United eye 2017 déjà vu; Spurs chase glory with Son’s fire and Postecoglou’s magic. It’s all to play for.
