Tottenham and Manchester United are set to clash in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League final. This match, played at the San Mames in Bilbao on Wednesday, represents a crucial opportunity for both English clubs to secure Champions League qualification. Tottenham aims to end a long trophy drought, seeking their first European silverware since 1984 and their first overall title since 2008. Meanwhile, Manchester United hopes to replicate their 2017 Europa League success in this second all-English final of the competition`s modern era. Both sides have acknowledged injury concerns ahead of the highly anticipated fixture, as discussed by managers Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou commented on the significance of the match: “It is a great prize. You know the significance of Champions League qualification and what comes with it. You get to play against the best on the continent. But the club has been in the Champions League before, they have not won a trophy for a long time – so that is the most important thing.”
Spurs captain Heung-Min Son, who recently returned and started over the weekend, is confirmed to start against Manchester United. Postecoglou highlighted his importance: “He is so important to the group. He is so important as a leader and he is such an important figure at this football club. It would be great to cap his career off with a trophy for him.”
Regarding Tottenham`s squad news, midfielder Lucas Bergvall has been ruled out. Pape Matar Sarr is fit after recovering from a back issue. James Maddison is also unavailable. Several players are ineligible for the final, including Antonin Kinsky, Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, and former Manchester United fullback Sergio Reguilon. Former Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski joins Radu Dragusin and Dane Scarlett on the injury list and will miss the final.
How to Watch Europa League final
- Date: Wednesday, May 21
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: San Mames — Bilbao, Spain
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Tottenham +188; Draw +223; Man United +143
Manchester United`s manager Ruben Amorim expressed surprise at Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee`s recovery in time for the final. He stated, “So they recover quite well. They push, of course, and we have to respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit, as they wanted to be part of the team. That is a very good sign. Very good for us. Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game.”
Predicted lineups
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr; Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son.
Manchester United XI: Andre Onana; Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui; Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund.
