New Delhi: Two of English football’s most storied clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, will battle it out in the Europa League final on 21 May. The high-stakes match is set to take place in Bilbao and promises to be an exciting one between two most desperate to salvage pride from what has been a disappointing domestic season for the top-flight clubs.
Manchester United stormed past Athletic Bilbao with a convincing 7-1 aggregate victory, while Tottenham cruised through against Bodo/Glimt, winning 5-1. While their league campaigns have been far from convincing, their upcoming final represents more than a silverware. Man United are 15th in the standings while Spurs are 16th.
But still, for both clubs, the final will serve as a lifeline to return to the European football elite stage. With Champions League qualification out of reach via the Premier League, the Europa League trophy offers the golden ticket to next season’s Champions League spot.
Your 2025 #UEL finalists ✨ pic.twitter.com/8rdPHSKOQT
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 8, 2025
A historic all-English showdown
This will be the sixth time two English clubs will meet in the final of a major European competition, and interestingly, Tottenham have featured in half of all those finals but failed to lift the trophy. This time, Enzo Meresca’s men will look to break the long-standing curse of failing to lift a European trophy since 1984.
Manchester United last won the Europa League in 2016-17 under Jose Mourinho, and a win in Bilbao this time would give them a second title in the competition within eight years and perhaps bring some relief to a fanbase starved of success in recent times.
Spurs’ edge – but can they do it again?
Tottenham have had the upper hand against United this season, having beaten them three times already, twice in the Premier League and once in the League Cup. Winning a fourth straight game against the same opposition is rare, though, and the odds suggest a much closer contest.
Though the Spurs have an upper hand over United but Ruben Amorim’s men’s ability to rise on big European nights shouldn’t be overlooked. They may not have been consistent this season, but in Europe, they have found ways to deliver.
Man United vs Lyon Europa League match was a wild one! United won 5-4 in extra time pic.twitter.com/SWFaufvEvE
— DDO (@DDO_ManUtd) April 18, 2025
For both clubs, winning this final will not only change the narrative rather will also define the season, which was once seen as underwhelming, can be reframed as a success. Neither club is in the conversation for league honours, but ending the campaign with a major trophy and Champions League qualification would silence critics.
This match will also make history in another sense, as if both teams maintain their current Premier League positions, the winner would become the lowest-ranked domestic side to ever lift the Europa League since its rebranding in 2009. Sevilla holds the record, winning it in 2023 when they were 12th in the La Liga standings.
New format transformed the battle
The new European format introduced this season has subtly reshaped the competition. Teams finishing third in Champions League groups no longer drop into the Europa League, making the path a little less treacherous. That change likely benefited both English clubs, who avoided facing elite-level opponents mid-tournament.
In the past, a number of Europa League finalists and winners came via the Champions League route. The removal of that path has opened the door for sides like United and Spurs to dream bigger.
Looking ahead
The two teams are much into shape, and as finals are really unpredictable, especially when both teams have so much to play for. The stakes couldn’t be higher than this. Win, and it’s a return to Europe’s biggest stage. Lose, and the season ends with more questions than answers. One thing is certain that the final in Bilbao will be full of drama, intensity and a whole lot of emotion.
Manchester United and Tottenham are set for a thrilling Europa League final clash, both seeking to save their seasons with European glory in Bilbao. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
