There is now less than one week until the Europa League final, and Tottenham’s chances of success have taken a blow, handing Manchester United the advantage.
It is the season decider for both clubs, after terrible domestic campaigns see Manchester United 16th and Tottenham 17th in the league table.
It is an unprecedented low for United, and for Spurs in the past 15 years, which makes it a potentially massive blow for whichever side loses the Europa League final in Bilbao next week.
Ruben Amorim will therefore have full attention on the game, with the expectation of winning his first trophy for the club and also securing Champions League football and the cash influx it allows.
There will be a quiet confidence around United for the final, considering Tottenham are known for losing in big games, but Gary Neville has admitted Spurs’ team is drastically better on paper, which means they have the quality to win.
Despite this, Neville did suggest two United players would step up and not allow the Red Devils to be defeated on the night due to their winning experience. In addition, Spurs’ chances will have taken a hit with injuries.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Tottenham rule out Dejan Kulusevski with injury
It was last week that Spurs ruled out James Maddison for the Europa League final, with the midfielder’s season over. This was a big blow for Spurs, and saw him join Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin on the injured list.
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These three severely weakened Postecoglou’s side, yet now there has been another star ruled out in the form of their star winger Dejan Kulusevski.
Spurs have confirmed that Kulusevski has now undergone surgery on his injured right patella, which he sustained last weekend.
We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today and will commence his rehabilitation with our… pic.twitter.com/haC3MThcMd
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 14, 2025
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The confirmation continues that Kulusevski will now commence rehabilitation with medical staff, missing the Europa League final with his season now written off.
The Spurs X account followed this announcement with an image of Kulusevski in a hospital bed with his thumbs up.
This is an absence that will definitely be felt by Spurs, but it will benefit Amorim.
Manchester United will benefit from Dejan Kulusevski missing from the final
This season has already seen United lose three times to Tottenham, which makes this game nerve-wracking and one Amorim must win. Therefore, he will be slightly relieved by Spurs’ weaker line-up.
In addition to the Spurs blow, United have players fighting to be fit like Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro, meaning Amorim will have a stronger defence to cope with a weaker attack.
Kulusevski joining Maddison on the absentee list means two of their five best attacking outlets are now ruled out, with Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson likely to be the starting front three.
Brennan Johnson, 17 goals, 7 assists
Dominic Solanke, 15 goals, 8 assists
James Maddison, 12 goals, 11 assists
Son Heung-min, 11 goals, 12 assists
Dejan Kulusevski, 10 goals, 11 assists
This takes some of the teeth out of this Spurs side, who United have lost narrowly to twice under Amorim, with Maddison the difference in February’s 1-0 defeat and a first 54-minute league cup collapse involving one Kulusevski goal leading to a 4-3 loss.
United won’t have wished injury on anyone, but with the importance of a win, Amorim will be feeling more confident knowing that Spurs’ best player won’t be on the field, giving Patrick Dorgu an easier time.