And so, it all comes down to this. A pivotal game that could not only define a season, but also define the future of Manchester United.
Victory in the Europa League final would see United sneak into next year's Champions League, providing the benefit of additional funds and an extra negotiating tool for upcoming transfer negotiations.
It would also provide a welcome boost for the early Ruben Amorim regime, a moment to kickstart a tenure that has been largely wretched on the Premier League front.
Man United last 10 league positions and trophies (timeless)
The Portuguese coach has repeatedly stated that winning the competition would not be enough to "save" the club's season, although the prospect of potentially finishing empty-handed and in 17th in the table is too grim to ponder.
In truth, the Red Devils simply have to win. The problem is, the same will be true of Tottenham Hotspur, amid the need to end their own 17-year barren run with regard to silverware.
With so much riding on a game of immense magnitude, Amorim and co can't afford any passengers - something which a certain Rasmus Hojlund is looking like right now.
Rasmus Hojlund's game in numbers vs Chelsea
While Ange Postecoglou took the decision to rest his key men against Aston Villa on Friday - with Micky van de Ven among those left out of the matchday squad at Villa Park - Amorim opted for a different approach at Chelsea, having deployed what could well be his starting lineup for tonight's clash in Bilbao.
The worry for the former Sporting CP boss will be that despite an encouraging opening, which saw Harry Maguire's fine finish chalked off for offside, the Red Devils still ended up on the losing side, having again failed to provide that cutting edge in the final third.
Amid what was the eighth league game in succession without a win for the Old Trafford side, chances were few and far between, with Amad Diallo coming closest with an effort from the angle late on.
rasmus-hojlund-united (2)
For Hojlund, meanwhile, it represented yet another game this season in which he failed to even register a shot in the top-flight, having merely been a bystander to proceedings at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, the struggling Dane lost the ball on 13 occasions from his 26 touches, as per Sofascore, having also failed to complete a single successful dribble, alongside recording a 65% pass accuracy rate.
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A particular issue remains the 22-year-old's desire to engage in needless battles with opposition centre-backs, as he ultimately won just two of his 11 total duels, getting little change out of Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.
Amorim subsequently stated that he is "really happy" with the former Atalanta man, although perhaps the Portuguese is merely attempting to gee up the misfiring marksman, amid the lack of an obvious alternative through the middle.
Hojlund's Europa League record - 24/25
Stats (*per game)
Games (starts)
Goals
Shots*
Big chances missed
Goal frequency
Assists
Big chances created
Key passes*
Total duels won*
Possession lost*
Stats via Sofascore
Indeed, it might be time to consider actually replacing Hojlund with a wildcard solution, even if it would be a risk in a game of such importance...
How Man Utd can replace Hojlund
With just ten goals to his name in 2024/25, including just four in the top-flight, Hojlund is approaching the end of a miserable second season in Manchester, having failed to build on a debut campaign that saw him finish as the club's highest scorer in all competitions.
Those woes have ensured that it would be worth considering a potential centre-forward replacement for Wednesday night's clash, albeit with options limited due to Joshua Zirkzee's recent absence through injury.
The Dutchman has been pictured in training, alongside Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot, although whether he will be rushed back into the action this evening remains to be seen.
One solution may be to trial Kobbie Mainoo in that role once again, following his surprise start as a striker against Crystal Palace in February, albeit with that experiment failing to work out as the youngster 'faded after the first 15 minutes', as per journalist Samuel Luckhurst.
Man-Utd-top-scorer-stats
The aforementioned Maguire, meanwhile, should surely only be a last resort in the dying embers of a game, with the Englishman needed to hold the fort defensively, amid concerns over the likes of Matthijs de Ligt.
With that in mind, Amorim may instead need to call upon talismanic skipper, Bruno Fernandes, to slot into a false nine berth, with the 30-year-old yet to be trialled in that role in this 3-4-3 system.
The Portugal star has previously played in that central berth in the past, having notably worked in tandem with Scott McTominay as part of a front two in last year's FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
A player of invaluable versatility and quality, the playmaking "genius" - as hailed by Erik ten Hag - appears to thrive wherever he is deployed, with such a switch then allowing Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte to offer greater defensive solidity as part of the midfield two.
Man-Utd-Fernandes-Premier-League
Fernandes, meanwhile, could then be flanked by two of Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Mason Mount in the number ten berths, with that fluid frontline potentially able to cause problems for a Spurs side who have endured their own notable woes this term.
A further benefit of that switch would be Fernandes' ability to drop deep and drag the likes of Van de Ven and Cristian Romero with him, rather than the alternative of Hojlund attempting to engage in a duel with the stellar duo.
As The Athletic's Jay Harris has noted, 'with Van de Ven and Romero in the starting XI, Spurs can play thrilling football and look capable of competing for trophies. Without them, they look mediocre.'
Trying to get the better of the centre-back pairing will be vital at San Mames, with Fernandes able to give the two men something more to think about, rather than being content in dealing with the hapless Hojlund.
Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero
Yes, it would be a bold call to make such a switch for a final, yet with his performance at Stamford Bridge having been so underpar last time out, Hojlund can't merely be guaranteed of start simply because of the lack of alternatives.
Man-Utd-Andre-Onana Related
[Man Utd flop who should be "fourth choice" has been even worse than Onana](https://www.footballfancast.com/man-utd-hojlund-should-be-fourth-choice-been-worse-than-onana/ "Man Utd flop who should be "fourth choice" has been even worse than Onana")
This Manchester United flop has been an even worse signing than Andre Onana.