AS a Manchester United fan, there has been a large knot in my stomach all season, and it has been tightening daily as the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur has crept closer.
This campaign has been nothing short of a disaster for the Red Devils, starting poorly under Erik ten Hag and getting even worse as Ruben Amorim has tried and largely failed to embed his principles into an under-performing dressing room.
It has arguably been even worse for Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou looking more and more like a man who knows his days are numbered, having presided over 21 Premier League defeats so far, with one game to go.
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Two of the biggest clubs in England are languishing in 16th and 17th in the table, with United guaranteed their lowest top-flight finish since the relegation season of 1973/74, and Spurs on course for their worst performance of the Premier League era.
And yet, for all that the Europa League has been maligned over the years, Wednesday night’s encounter in Bilbao offers something of a ‘get out of jail free’ card, a chink of light that may hint at a brighter future.
Amorim and Postecoglou will want to get their hands on silverware, but their bosses will be more interested in the Champions League place that goes with Europe’s second tier trophy.
Summer transfer plans can be altered, better players targeted with the money and prestige that comes with taking a seat at the top table.
With so much hinging on 90 minutes – and very possibly more – there is every chance this encounter will be tense and tight as two sides who know each other so well do battle again on the back of dreadful form.
Both teams have picked up only one point in their last six Premier League outings and have got used to not winning, something that can never be accepted, but both have been very good at times in the Europa League, albeit benefiting from the fact nobody has dropped down from the Champions League this year.
Europe has offered a welcome respite, with United unbeaten in 13 games, although that is a bit of a miracle given the last eight escapology against Lyon. Goals have flowed in stark contrast to the Premier League, with Bruno Fernandes as always to the forefront as Amorim’s men have hit the net 19 times in six knock-out clashes, all on the tougher side of the draw, against Real Sociedad, Lyon and tournament favourites Athletic Bilbao.
I can’t help but wonder, however, if a return to playing English opposition might hinder both teams, who have got used to losing domestic games, although Spurs have become accustomed to beating United – winning both league encounters and a Carabao Cup clash this season to take their unbeaten run to seven meetings.
Gone are the days when Alex Ferguson said all he needed to by telling his all-conquering teams that “lads, it’s Spurs”.
And yet there might be an element of that in Amorim’s team-talk. For all that United are in their worst phase in half-a-century, many of this current squad have picked up cups in each of the last two seasons, while Tottenham have won nothing since the League Cup in 2008, losing four finals since then, albeit against very good teams.
It is presumably that contrast in recent history that sees United chalked up as favourites, with Amorim’s men 4/5 (Bet365) to lift the trophy and 6/4 (Betfred) to win in 90 minutes. Spurs, meanwhile, are 11/10 (Sky Bet) to end their 17-year wait for silver and 19/10 (Bet365) to win in normal time.
Given the agony both sets of fans have been put through in the last nine months, I’m fully expecting that this won’t be sorted in 90 minutes, with tension bound to transmit from the stands and onto the San Mames pitch.
James Maddison receives treatment during Tottenham’s 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt
James Maddison has been ruled out of the Europa League final through injury(Bradley Collyer/PA)
Goals have been very hard to come by of late against English teams, with Rasmus Hojlund looking lost at centre-forward for United, and Spurs without their main creative sparks in James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, both of whom are ruled out of the final.
Under 2.5 goals in the game looks a safe bet at 22/25 (Unibet) and could provide a solid platform for any bet builders, while a draw after 90 minutes and under 2.5 is also well worth a look at 100/30 (Sky Bet).
There could also be tackles flying in and cards issued regularly by German referee Felix Zwayer, who is averaging almost six bookings from eight European games this term, so over 5.5 cards is a good bet at 6/5 (Paddy Power), while I like the 5/1 offered by betWay about South American firebrands Manuel Ugarte and Cristian Romero both being carded.
Finally, given that lack of goals and all the nerves around, there are worse ideas than to back either team to win on penalties at 9/2 (Paddy Power) as the pain gets drawn out as far as possible.
If that scenario does become reality, I’m not sure my heart, or my stomach, can take it.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL SELECTIONS
Manchester United and Tottenham to draw, 12/5 (Bet365); draw and under 2.5 goals, 100/30 (Sky Bet);
Over 5.5 cards, 6/5 (Paddy Power);
Manuel Ugarte and Cristian Romero both to be carded, 5/1 (betWay);
Either team to win on penalties, 9/2 (Paddy Power)