United should make huge Hojlund call this evening
United have some genuine dilemmas. Yoro's availability is significant and Noussair Mazraoui merits a start. It should be a point of principle not to start Luke Shaw when he has lined up four times within three weeks on the eve of a final. Ideally, United would not play Rasmus Hojlund. We know he will start but he shouldn't. United won a trophy last season because Hojlund was taken out of the team for the FA Cup final and Bruno Fernandes would be an upgrade. You can play Fernandes anywhere and he will have an impact. United need to balance pragmatism with proactivism and not have the starting XI overloaded with defensive players.
Samuel Luckhurst's United XI:
United and Tottenham fans clash in San Sebastian
United and Spurs clashed last night in San Sebastian, 48 miles away from Bilbao, on the eve of the Europa League final.
Spanish publication El Diario Vasco report the disturbances began around 9:20pm.
Their report read:
According to witness accounts and videos shared by residents, the incidents began with shouts and insults between groups of fans. The situation quickly escalated when one of the individuals punched another, causing the other to fall to the ground. Several fans subsequently began throwing objects taken from terrace tables, overturning one and using it as a weapon against another group. Drinking glasses and trash cans were also thrown, creating chaos and danger for passersby and local businesses.
We will have more updates on this story as and when we get them.
Gary Neville: United don't deserve a parade if they win Europa League
Gary Neville does not believe Manchester United deserve a parade if they win the Europa League.
Speaking to the Stick to Football podcast, former United defender Neville said:
“If Manchester United win, they’ll celebrate a trophy but there will be a cautious celebration tomorrow – not by the fans, though, because they’ll obviously go crazy.
“Their interviews will be along the lines of them saying that they’re so happy and delighted for the fans, but it’s been a difficult season.
“That will be the tone of it. I don’t think there should be a parade through the city for them winning the Europa League.”
Last night's press conference couldn't have gone better for United
If it was strategic of Manchester United to allow Tottenham Hotspur to hold their pre-match duties first, it had the desired effect.
Ange Postecoglou rounded on a reporter who suggested he could be remembered as a "clown". He dismissed concerns over his future, urging another reporter not to lose any sleep over it. He also reminded his audience he had lifted a trophy and exited stage left at his previous clubs.
Sub-editors could design their back-page splashes hours before deadline. United's timekeeping for press conferences on the continent can be tardy but even if they were late Ruben Amorim was never going to be as quotable as his opposite number.
Postecoglou entered the endgame some time ago. Sources have said he has known for months that he will not be managing Tottenham next season.
Then there is Amorim, seemingly safe whatever the outcome in San Mames. Amorim is partial to a zinger but he was so relaxed that he joked Bruno Fernandes, sitting to his right, was after his job.
Read the full story, here.