Europa League: This is a Major Deal for Red Devils and Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

After a season of domestic strife, two of England’s biggest clubs head to Bilbao on Wednesday for the Europa League final at the San Mames Stadium.  

Europa League: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur is a curious final, in that two under pressure managers take their underperforming teams to one of the biggest games in Europe, with the prize, a place in the 2025/26 Champions League. But what has gone before this season matters not one bit, and both clubs have been much better on the European stage than in the Premier League.  

Sitting 16^th and 17^th in the Premier League table, both were in action on Friday and both managers made big changes as their teams lost to top five chasers Aston Villa and Chelsea; and while the race for Champions League places is hot, these two teams will be consigned to a finishing spot just above the relegation zone. But while fans of Arsenal and Manchester City may well scoff at the Europa League, their local rivals could end up with some silverware, something both the Gunners and Sky Blues have failed to do this season, and qualify for the Champions League too. 

Ruben Amorin’s Manchester United were hugely impressive in beating Athletic Bilbao in both legs of their semi-final, while Ange Potecoglou’s Spurs were professional in putting away the dangerous Bodo Glimt and we should see a hugely competitive final in Bilbao.   

The SBOTOP odds back a Red Devils triumph at odds of 1.69 to lift the trophy with Tottenham at 2.20 and that is close enough for the sets of both clubs to be optimistic…and nervous. 

 

Talking Points

Mount’s case for Manchester

The Red Devils have been woefully short of quality at times this season and the performance of 26 year old midfielder Mason Mount in the semi-final second leg was a real tonic for Ruben Amorin and the Manchester United fans. Since his arrival in a £55m move from Chelsea in 2023 the England star has struggled with injury and his opportunities for a steady run in the side have been limited. But there is a player of immense quality in Mount, twice the Chelsea Player of the Year and the youngest Blues player ever to score in four consecutive top flight games.

When he arrived at Old Trafford he played in a deeper role under Erik Ten Hag, but his appearance off the bench in the Europa semi-final second leg showed just what a dangerous player Mount can be. At 1-0 down he settled United nerves and, after Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund has scored, Mount hit a sensational fourth from over 40 yards.          

Captain Bruno Fernandes is top scoring in the competition with seven goals and, alongside Mount, the Portugal star has a real chance to boss the final.   

 

Will the Son shine again for Spurs?  

He made his comeback from injury in Spurs’ recent 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace and club captain Heung-Min Son started when Tottenham faced Aston Villa last Friday, and there is no denying the team has missed the South Korean’s influence at key parts of this campaign. The 32 year old has spent ten seasons at the North London club, making 332 appearances and scoring 127 goals and he has lost none of his pace, guile and vision.

With Dejan Kulusevski out for the campaign Richarlison is likely to make the opening eleven, but Son will also be pushing for a start, with five goal Dominic Solanke leading the line.  And the return of another key player, at the other end of the pitch, could play a crucial part for Tottenham. Quick footed centre back Micky Van de Ven has been sorely missed for much of the campaign but he is fit and ready to take on the Red Devils’ front line.

 

History  

With 44 wins to 14 the Red Devils have had much the better of the head to head Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur results; but the tide has been turning and Spurs have won four and drawn two of the last six encounters, including a 1-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February.  

These two proud old teams come into the match with identical form over the past six games; two wins, one draw and three defeats. Both are winless in the league and picked up their two victories each in the Europa League semi-finals.     

 

Betting Tip

The Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur betting odds make the Red Devils favourites at a price of 2.20, but not by much with Spurs at 2.80 and the Draw at 3.13.

In all of the last ten games involving these two sides there have been at least two goals, and Manchester United and Spurs’ attacking prowess has been a key part of their Europa success. Meanwhile, defensive frailties have seen them flounder in the Premier League, so I’m expecting goals.      

   

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