Manchester United will go head-to-head with Tottenham Hotspur this Wednesday at San Mames Stadium, with both sides absolutely desperate to win the Europa League and seal Champions League football.
The two have had disastrous Premier League campaigns, but they now have the chance to end their season on a high by winning the showpiece event in Bilbao.
Match Preview
Manchester United fans expected Ruben Amorim to struggle implementing his style of play after he took the big job at Old Trafford.
But nobody could have imagined then that United would be sitting 16th in the league with one game to go.
Under the Portuguese boss, the Red Devils have won just 15 of their 40 matches that makes it a meagre 37.50 win percentage.
Considering their league form, Man Utd supporters will not find much encouragement for them as the team haven’t won in their previous eight top-flight matches.
But they have been a different proposition in the Europa League, crushing Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-final tie.
Amorim will now take his team to Spain where Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham await them, just as desperate for victory as their rivals.
For Spurs, the Europa League represents not only a chance to secure Champions League football but also to end their 17-year wait for a trophy.
It’s hard to see Ange keeping his job if the Australian boss fails to win the important clash on Wednesday.
Team News
Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, and Lisandro Martinez are the confirmed absentees for Man Utd, while there are major doubts over the availability of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt for Wednesday’s big clash.
As for Tottenham, they are really short of options in midfield with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall all sidelined with fitness issues. Pape Matar Sarr also limped off early in the second-half against Aston Villa, making him a doubt for the final.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United potential line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Manchester United: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United prediction
Tottenham have already beaten United three times this season, suggesting they should have a big psychological edge in the Europa League final. However, we are inclined to think Amorim’s men will prevail given their experience in European finals and the Lilywhites’ current injury issues.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United