WHO: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Contents: UEFA Europa League Final 2025
Location: San Mamez Stadium in Bilbao, Spain
When: Wednesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
Follow the Al Jazeera Sport’s live text and photo commentary stream.
Manchester United collided with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, making a major impact on the field in the All-English Europa League final.
The winner of this final will unexpectedly bring back the European crown, based on a frightening bottom five domestic form, punching a golden ticket to the lucrative UEFA Champions League next season, bringing tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue.
Al Jazeera Sport has recorded key story points ahead of the classic winner’s showdown between two England’s most famous clubs, looking to turn their disappointing season back on with an unexpected European victory.
Is Man Utd the lowest team to play in the Europa League final?
There were no finals in the UEFA competition, where both clubs were very low in the national league table.
Both clubs are struck by criticism in the worst season of the English Premier League era, heading to Bilbao for the final.
United sits in 16th place in the ladder, while Tottenham is 17th and one point bad, with only one league game remaining.
Only the relegated struggle of Triopswich, Leicester and Southampton saved United and Tottenham from a very embarrassing fight to avoid a crash into the second tier championship.
Will the winners be eligible directly for the UEFA Champions League next season?
UEFA will allow direct participants in the two-stage Europa League competition to the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League without the need for additional qualifying matches.
Additionally, they will win the right to face the winner of the 2024-25 Champions League at the UEFA Super Cup on August 13th.
For the losers of the final in Bilbao, this catastrophic domestic season hangover is threatening to be a long-lasting experience with the possibility of European football asylum from 2026 to 27.
How much do you qualify for the Champions League?
Winners in the Europa League final can receive a boost of up to 65 million euros ($73 million).
This calculation will be achieved by combining Europa League prize money with TV and gate revenues derived from the participation of the winning team in the League phase of the Champions League next season.
What happened when these teams last played?
The team last met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 16 February, with James Madison’s 13-minute game winner taking a 1-0 win over United against the home team.
The Spurs have won two Premier League meetings, one in the EFL Cup quarterfinals and all three meetings with United in all competitions this season.
What is Manchester United form?
United’s final victory in the Premier League was on March 16th, a 3-0 victory at Leicester. Since then, Reuben Amorim’s team has recorded six losses and two draws in the domestic competition.
United’s two victories in May took place in the Europa League semi-finals against the Athletic Club.
What is the shape of Tottenham?
The Spurs have been equally horrifying in the final two months of the Premier League season, losing five in the last six games and drawing once.
Their final domestic league victory was a 3-1 home victory against Southampton Way on April 6th, leading to constant media speculation that Anjipost EcoGrow’s work is under threat for next season.
Where will the 2025 final take place?
San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain is the venue for the finals.
With more than 50,000 seating capacity, the stadium is located at the home of the Athletic Club. The athletic club will coincidentally lose Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals on May 8th and advance to the finals.
UEFA has confirmed that the two teams will receive an allocation of 15,000 tickets each, with an additional 11,000 tickets increasing for general sales, with the rest being offered to hospitality and sponsors.
Team News: Manchester United
According to the official Manchester United website, the Red Devils received a triple boost the eve of the UEFA Europa League final, and it was discovered that Diagon Darott, Renee Yoro and Joshua Zirkusy had participated in the team’s build-up training session on Tuesday.
Zirkzee was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in April, but could be a choice after missing United’s final eight games.
Another Dutchman, centre back Matigis Deligut, also suspicious before the match, saw him run through several training drills during his individual training Tuesday.
Striker Rasmus Hoilund, who struggled ahead for most of the season, is tilted to lead the line on Amorim’s side.
Team News: Tottenham
The Spurs line up without major midfielders Madison and Dejan Krucevsky, as well as the promising youth Lucas Bergval, who was ruled out by injuries.
Having missed the rest of the season due to a knee issue, Madison boarded the Bilbao team bus, leading to ramp-stopping media speculation that might play in the final despite being ruled out by Post Coglu.
According to the team, his son Heung-Min, who suffered a leg injury in April and missed seven consecutive matches, missed seven consecutive matches, is heading for the final after his first start with Aston Villa.
Better news on the backline of Tottenham. Both previously injured defenders Christian Romero and Mickey Van de Ben are available for choice.
Possible lineup
United Adable start xi: onana (gk); Yoro, Maguire, Lindelof; Mazrawi, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dolgu. Fernandez, Amado; Hojlund
Tottenham may start XI: vicario (gk); Polo, Romero, Van de Ben, Udogie. Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, son
What is the prize money for the winner of the Europa League?
The winner of the 2025 Europa League final will receive a prize of 13 million euros ($14.6 million). The runner-up was allocated 7 million euros ($787 million).
Both clubs can use their money to pay off their debts. The Spurs recorded an operating loss of £26 million ($34.7 million) per year last year, while United’s deficit was £113 million ($151 million) over the same period.
What managers and players had to say
Reuben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United: “I feel that’s a mixed feeling. I’m really excited, but at the same time I know my responsibility as a coach at Manchester United. I always have it. [had] I feel frustrated about that season, so I hope that the team will help win this final. We have to give something to our clubs, our fans, our staff, our everyone. ”
Tottenham Hotsper Manager Ange Postecoglou: “I mean, if we’re struggling in the league, who cares? Why does that matter? If reaching the finals is so easy, why doesn’t everyone who finishes in the top three do that?
“We understand that our league format is not great. We understand the struggles we had. A lot of them are due to the situation we went on. But how does that reduce the achievement of reaching the final?
“I couldn’t care who was struggling and who wasn’t. I think we and United both have the right to be there.”
Tottenham captain, son Hyun Min: “We always respect our opponents, but I think it’s important to do what’s necessary. You’d think Manchester United players are the same. It’s definitely going to be a great game, but it’s going to be difficult.
“I’ve accomplished everything in my 10 years at Tottenham, except for one thing. [winning a European title]. I worked so hard to make up for it, and I’ve always dreamed of winning the trophy in a Tottenham shirt. So we hope that we can make that dream a reality. ”
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