Europa League 2025 Final
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
San Mames Stadium, Bilbao, 20:00 GMT
It's 16th v 17th in the Premier League tonight for a place in next season's UEFA Champions League.
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| It's up for grabs in Bilbao |
It sounds too funny but it is true. The team missing the drop zone by a point could be taking on Real Madrid, PSG et al in next year's premier club competition. Statistically this is the lowest cumulative ranked final in UEFA's continental competitions. It's David v David.
Arsene Wenger for one has called out the absurdity of this situation, but fair play to both Spurs and United, who have beaten all-comers to reach the final in Spain. Removing the grand prize would deaden the Europa League, which needs such a carrot in the face of the ever-bloated Champions League.
It is ironic as in the days of the Champions Cup, the UEFA Cup was seen as an arguably tougher competition as the former only included one team per country and the latter two or three.
Given both clubs's travails, this 90-minute grab for glory - up to £100 million if United win according to the money men, is a most unlikely golden goose. For Ange Postecoglu, it seems like a laced drink in the last chance saloon. For all his charm and personality, the Australian has guided the North Londoners to one place above relegation in the league, which for a former member of the big five with an exceptional stadium to boot, is just not good enough.
The Tottenham hierarchy must already have been sounding out alternatives. Whether they have already opted to axe the Australian is debatable. As it stands, Ange has 90 minutes to save his skin.
Ruben Amorim meanwhile has been only one point better with a bigger budget than Spurs, but has bought himself time by admitting his shortcomings publically, a move that appears to have worked with the fans. Everyone at Old Trafford seems so tired of the managerial merry-go-round that they are prepared to give him more time as the club did with Erik Ten Haag last season, even though the Dutchman guided them to eighth with 50% more points than Amorim has mustered.
Amorim's plan to instill a 3-4-3 system with the Red Devils has still not got off the ground and his inaugural domestic campaign has been a failure, especially in the light of first-time Premier League manager Arne Slot winning with Liverpool, but all that could change in the course of one match.
United's pedigree in Europe, including winning this competition under Jose Mourinho in 2017, may count in their favour when it comes to pre-match confidence, while Spurs losing the 2019 Champions League final still hurts. They have like United won this trophy but that was back in 1984.
Although both teams are nervous, the Reds probably have a small psychological edge, but Postecoglu will be sure to remind his Spurs players of their home and away triumphs over United this season.
Tens of thousands of fans will be in Bilbao at the San Mames Stadium for the unlikely showdown.
(c) Sean O'Conor