Tottenham have beaten Manchester United three times this season, but Johnson knows the Europa League final is a different proposition
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Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson has been speaking ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United
Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson has been speaking ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United
(Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Brennan Johnson is not resting on his laurels despite Tottenham's recent victories over Manchester United.
Although Tottenham have bested United three times this term – with Ruben Amorim overseeing two defeats since replacing Erik ten Hag – Johnson maintains that past results won't play a role in the Europa League final.
Spurs won 3-0 at at Old Trafford in September nudging Ten Hag towards the door, followed that up with a 4-3 win for Tottenham in December's Carabao Cup quarter-final and then claimed a narrow 1-0 victory last February.
But Johnson insists the previous matches have no bearing on Wednesday's clash: "I think we know, going into the final, we can't rely on the fact that we've beaten them a few times this season.
"I think it's about now coming up with a plan because each time we've beaten them has been down to different reasons.
"I feel like we've done good work preparing for Man United so now it's about coming up with how we want to win, things we want to do, things we want to stop them from doing so it's a new opportunity.
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"We want to prepare and be as confident as we can."
Scoring at Old Trafford was a personal high for Johnson. His father David is a former Nottingham Forest striker who never quite broke through at United.
"I think he obviously liked them because he grew up round that area and played for them but definitely not now! He's on Spurs' side," Johnson said.
"We speak a lot before games, after games. I'm sure it won't be anything too much just for the final. Just wishing me good luck and that's it."
Johnson Sr's ability to be in the right place at the right time has been inherited by his son, who is currently enjoying his best scoring season with Spurs.
Many of Johnson's 17 goals have been first-time finishes at the back post, a characteristic feature of teams managed by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
Johnson added: "Yeah, it's a demand that he puts on us to be in the back post.
"I think last season there were a few instances where I wasn't in the right position and he gets frustrated because people think it's a tap-in but if you're not there, then it goes out for a throw-in.
"It's just knowing who I am playing with, knowing the type of crosses I am going to get. Almost studying other players in the team, seeing what they like to do, what type of crosses and trying to be in the right position."
A trademark Johnson finish helped Spurs secure a 5-1 semi-final aggregate victory over Bodo/Glimt and while their Premier League performance has been shaky, European success has always been a significant goal.
"Yeah, it's been a real positive drive for us," Johnson said.
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"When times have been tough and we've had to go to some tough places in Europe and got some really good results, it brings the squad together a massive amount.
"The quarter-final, the semi-final, these games have been massive for us. Unbelievable victories, real togetherness and yeah, it just make us stronger and more together."