The Europa League final has finally arrived, and Ruben Amorim now has the unenviable task of selecting the perfect team to beat Tottenham.
It has been an excellent Europa League campaign for Manchester United, with the competition almost being an escape from the woes being struggled through domestically.
After 14 games in the competition, United remain unbeaten and are the best team in the tournament statistically. This should see the Red Devils considered clear favourites against Tottenham.
An infographic showing Manchester United's stats and road to the Europa League final 2024/25.
An infographic created by Sofascore.
However, for all the factors pointing in United’s favour, Tottenham have defeated the Red Devils three times this season and are unbeaten in six against the Red Devils.
United have named a strong 26-man squad for the trip to Bilbao, which includes every senior player apart from Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.
This will make United’s possible starting line-up a strong one, but it means Amorim has some big decisions to make.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho or Mason Mount in the number 10 role
The first selection dilemma that Amorim faces comes in the left-sided number 10 position, with both Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount having arguments that they should be starting the final.
For Garnacho, it has been a difficult season until recent months when he has really come to life in Amorim’s system and is often the most dangerous attacking outlet on the pitch, with his finishing the only thing to let him down.
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However, on the other hand, Mount was incredible against Athletic Club and in doing so may have catapulted himself into a starting spot in the final. This is a key position for Amorim to get right from the start in the final, and we expect he will go with Mount and then have Garnacho as an impact sub against tired legs.
Midfield partnership of Casemiro-Ugarte or Casemiro-Bruno
Another key dilemma for Amorim will be who he chooses to start as his midfield pairing, and his selection will dictate a lot of how the game plays out.
Casemiro is a guaranteed inclusion in the midfield two, but he could be paired either with Manuel Ugarte or Bruno Fernandes.
By handing Ugarte the start, it would mean Fernandes starting further forward, and likely that Amorim was going to set up more defensively. Meanwhile, Fernandes starting alongside Casemiro would mean a more attacking outfit, big decisions for Amorim to make.
To start Luke Shaw or risk the just returned Leny Yoro
Leny Yoro beat the race against time to be fit for the final, and now he is in with a chance of starting after Steven Railston admitted he had been told that he was fully fit.
However, it may be seen as too big of a risk to throw him right back into the starting line-up while the stakes are so high.
This could instead mean that Luke Shaw is opted for to start on the left of the back three, which would be a decision Amorim will be happy with, but would probably rather have the Frenchman.
Whoever starts, the fitness of Yoro will likely have played the biggest role in his decision.
Whether to drop Rasmus Hojlund for Joshua Zirkzee
This season, the striker position has been the biggest source of headaches for United and Amorim, as Rasmus Hojlund has repeatedly been disappointing.
On Friday, Hojlund’s performance against Chelsea led fans to suggest he shouldn’t play the final, and the return of Joshua Zirkzee will only further add to the belief that the Dane would be best positioned on the bench.
However, Amorim will likely start Hojlund and his Europa League goal record of six this season is a big improvement on his domestic form, while he has also enjoyed facing Spurs in his career so far.
Goals will win the final, so this could be a decision Amorim will look back on either way.
Should Amad Diallo start at wingback or number 10
The final big dilemma Amorim is facing is deciding where he is going to start Amad Diallo, arguably United’s most important player right now, and he will be absolutely key to victory.
Amad will either be starting as a number 10 or as a right wing-back, and wherever he plays he will be vital for United.
But Amorim needs to choose where he will be most effective against the Spurs and choose where he starts.
Ideally he would be starting in attacking midfield, where he can have more of an impact on the opponents back-line.