Tottenham Hotspur Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025
Ange Postecoglou is looking to end Spurs’ long-running trophy drought (Picture: Getty)
Tottenham legend Ledley King believes his former side have a ‘huge’ advantage over Manchester United when the two sides meet in the Europa League final.
Both Premier League sides meet in Bilbao on Wednsday, looking to salvage their respective poor seasons with a trophy and a route back into Europe next season.
Spurs are eyeing up a first trophy since the League Cup back in 2008, while United are hoping to capture the Europa League for a second time after their success under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
While Ange Postecoglou’s side have lost an alarming 21 games in the league this season, the north London club managed to do the double over United, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in September and then 1-0 at home in February.
Combined with a 4-3 win in the Carabao Cup, Tottenham are now unbeaten against United in their last six games, a run stretching back to April 2022.
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And former Spurs captain King believes that his former side’s recent record over United could well give them a psychological advantage heading into the final at San Mames Stadium.
‘Manchester United have been inconsistent – similar to Spurs really,’ King told BetMGM.
Manchester United FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC - Premier League
Brennan Johnson was on the scoresheet when Tottenham won 3-0 at Old Trafford earlier in the season (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s been disappointing domestically but good in Europe. United have good players on their day and [Ruben] Amorim will be desperate to end his first season there with a trophy.
‘It will be close. Obviously, though, Spurs already have three wins over United this season and that could be huge.
‘When you know you can beat an opponent it is a big advantage. I remember the first time we beat Arsenal and Chelsea… it removes the fear factor.
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six games against Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s always in the back of your mind when you have lost to that team. The first goal will be massive, especially if Spurs get it. It will be interesting to see how Manchester United respond to the pressure.’
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, however, Postecoglou was not willing to put as much stock into his side’s previous good performances against United.
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‘It’s a final and those kind of things aren’t important,’ said the Spurs boss.
‘What I do know is, even your form going into it, even if you’re in terrible form – it doesn’t matter.
‘What matters is how the players cope with the occasion, how they cope with understanding the importance of the game – from both clubs. You just don’t know how players will react to such a big occasion.
‘My role in that is to try and prepare the players in the best possible way and to also prepare the players for Manchester United to be at their best.
‘If you prepare that way and go out there and play to the potential you can then you give yourself an opportunity.
‘I don’t think it really matters what you’ve done before against any opposition when it comes to big games. Maybe in the league its a bit different but in a big important final – everything gets decided on the day.’
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