United and Spurs meet in the final at the San Mames in Bilbao on May 21
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Why Liverpool fans must not let Trent Alexander-Arnold row spoil their title party
By LIAM MORGAN
Published: 14:54 EDT, 13 May 2025 | Updated: 14:54 EDT, 13 May 2025
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has paid for 30 of his backroom staff and their families to attend next week's Europa League final against Spurs in Bilbao, according to reports.
Coaches and support staff who travel with United, including kit men, have not been given complimentary tickets for family and friends for the clash on May 21.
Both clubs have been given an allocation of around 15,000 for the final at San Mames.
Spurs are offering a free ticket to every full-time employee but United have only set aside a small number for a staff ballot. Paris Saint-Germain are also paying for 600 staff members to attend the Champions League final against Inter in Munich on May 31.
Staff who cannot go have been invited to a screening at Diecast in Manchester where they will be offered two free drinks. They are allowed to take a plus one, who will have to pay for themselves.
United's coaches, physios and support team had been invited to pay for their own tickets for the final but ESPN reports Amorim has stepped in to cover the cost.
Ruben Amorim has ensured 30 of his staff can take their families to the Europa League final
Thousands of United and Spurs fans are travelling to Bilbao for the showpiece clash next week
United meet Spurs at Estadio San Mames, with a place in next season's Champions League at stake as well as the Europa League trophy
The Portuguese, who has endured a turbulent tenure as United manager to date, told United chiefs that he would pay after learning the price of the tickets would come out of their own pockets.
The situation over tickets sparked anger but sources have insisted they are prioritising United fans and that 90 per cent of their allocation has gone directly to supporters eligible in the ballot.
Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that Spurs fans are expected to outnumber United supporters in Bilbao as around 15,000 will travel to the Spanish city without tickets, compared to 2,000 United followers in a similar position.
Airlines have attempted to capitalise on both teams reaching the final by hiking prices to up to £2,000 for flights to Bilbao, while reasonably priced accommodation is also at a premium.
Making staff pay for their own tickets comes as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's brutal cost-cutting regime, which has led to hundreds of redundancies and seen numerous staff perks axed.
Before the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group, United had a workforce of around 1,140. Two rounds of redundancies have since followed as Ratcliffe seeks to cut costs and redirect revenue towards bolstering the playing squad.
While the process is ongoing, around 450 job losses are expected. Other areas have also been targeted for savings, including the cancelling of the Christmas party. The drinks policy for the Europa League final is in keeping with that model.
The final in Bilbao offers United and Spurs the chance to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.
Amorim has insisted, however, that winning the Europa League cannot save United's dismal season.
Despite leading United to the final, Amorim admitted that he could step aside next season if the club's domestic problems continue after Sunday's home defeat by West Ham saw his side drop to 16th place in the table.
Amorim doubled down on his comments after the West Ham game, admitting that United's Premier League form is 'embarrassing' and 'unacceptable'.