Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to clash in the Europa League final on Wednesday in Bilbao, with both clubs eager to redeem disappointing Premier League campaigns by securing silverware, and the £100 million reward of Champions League qualification that comes with victory.
Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United have endured a dismal season, currently languishing in 16th place with a staggering 18 league defeats, their worst top-flight performance in half a century, dating back to their 1974 relegation.
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Just below them in 17th are Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, who have suffered a club-record 21 losses and are on course for their worst league season since rejoining the top flight in 1978.
Both teams have seen their domestic form collapse as they prioritized their European campaigns. United are without a win in eight Premier League matches, their longest such streak in Premier League history, after a last-minute loss to Chelsea. Tottenham have fared little better, having lost five of their last six matches, including a recent defeat to Aston Villa.
Spurs haven’t tasted European success since 1984 and have gone 17 years without any major trophy. Their only Champions League final appearance, in 2019, ended in a disappointing defeat to Liverpool.
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“When you look at the historical backdrop of this club for the past 20 years, I feel this final could be a turning point,” Postecoglou said recently, underscoring the significance of the occasion for Tottenham.
While Manchester United claimed domestic cup victories in recent years under former manager Erik ten Hag, they have struggled since Rúben Amorim took over. The Portuguese coach has managed just six wins in 26 Premier League matches since his appointment in November.
However, United’s European campaign has told a different story. The Red Devils cruised past Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, then staged a thrilling quarter-final comeback against Lyon, overcoming a 6-4 aggregate deficit to triumph 7-6, evoking memories of their iconic 1999 Champions League win.
Despite their European success, Amorim remains realistic about the deeper problems plaguing the club.
“I’m not concerned about the final; it’s by far the smallest problem in our club,” said the former Sporting Lisbon boss. “We need to change something deeper than this.”
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