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The 2025 UEFA Europa League final at San Mamés in Bilbao is a defining moment for two clubs whose seasons have fallen well short of expectations.
With both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur languishing at the wrong end of the Premier League table, United 16th and Spurs just behind them in 17th, this final holds huge weight for both sides.
Their current points tallies would have seen them relegated in some previous Premier League campaigns, while the Red Devils failed to win two consecutive league games all season.
Yet here they are, 90 minutes away from lifting a major European trophy and, perhaps more importantly, from securing a place in next season’s Champions League. Whoever comes out on top in Bilbao will become the lowest-ranked side ever to qualify for the European Cup and potentially the lowest domestic finishers to win a major European honour.
Tottenham’s road to the final has been straightforward. They avoided the playoff round thanks to a fourth-place finish in the new-look league phase and progressed with relative confidence through the knockouts. AZ Alkmaar were their first victims, followed by a hard-fought win over Eintracht Frankfurt and a comfortable semi-final victory against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt.
Manchester United’s campaign has been similarly smooth. The Red Devils also made it through the league phase without much fuss before stepping things up in the knockouts. They saw off Real Sociedad in the last 16, got past Lyon in the quarter-finals, and then overcame Athletic Bilbao in a tight semi-final.
Tottenham vs Manchester United head-to-head
Both teams have met 204 times since their first meeting in 1899, and the Red Devils have had the upper hand, but the tide has changed under Ange Postecoglou.
This season, Spurs have won all three previous meetings between both teams. The North London side won both fixtures in the league, scoring four goals across both legs without conceding (0-3, 1-0).
They also won the League Cup quarter-final tie 4-3, though they had to hold to avoid a comeback from the Red Devils, despite going 3-0 up initially.
This will be the sixth time two English teams will meet in an European final.
Tottenham vs Manchester United team news
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Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison for the Europa League final, with both sidelined due to knee injuries, while Lucas Bergvall also misses out through an ankle problem and Radu Dragusin remains a long-term absentee.
There is some relief, though, with Pape Matar Sarr declared fit after being forced off in the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Friday with back discomfort. The Senegalese midfielder is expected to start as part of a three alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have received a timely boost on the fitness front. Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot have all returned ahead of schedule and are in contention for the final.
However, United will still be without centre-backs Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, both of whom remain sidelined through injury
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Tottenham predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Manchester United predicted XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Lindelof; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund.
Tottenham vs Manchester United prediction
Spurs have dominated this fixture this season, but this has a different feeling compared to the three previous meetings.
Ruben Amorim’s side have performed well in big games this season, while Spurs have lost some key players in midfield.
Both teams to score
Under 3.5 cards
Over 2.5
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