United have perfect preparation plan for Europa League final thanks to Erik ten Hag
Go through the wreckage of that 2023/24 season under Erik ten Hag, and it's the FA Cup final performance at Wembley that stands out by a mile.
The contrast from the humiliating way they won the semi-final, throwing away a three-goal lead against Coventry City, surviving an unbearably tight VAR call to lose 4-3 and then winning on penalties, to the way they outplayed and outthought Manchester City is still stunning to this day.
It was a performance of poise and precision, a day when the game plan worked to perfection and a reminder of the talent within the ranks. It was by some distance Ten Hag's best day in the job.
In fact, it was so good that rather than being his last day in the job, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe had planned, he earned himself another chance. The challenge of lifting this team to performances of that quality on a weekly basis was beyond him, but the squad involved at Wembley agree that it was a triumph for Ten Hag last year.
He got the tone of the build-up right, inspiring players through cleverly thought-out speeches and video presentations, and got his tactics spot on, outwitting Pep Guardiola. Doing the same to Ange Postecoglou might not be the same challenge, but a final is always different for a head coach, and Amorim will have to get the tone right this week.
Read the full story, here.
Tottenham's confirmed travelling squad
James Maddison has been included in Tottenham Hotspur's travelling party to Bilbao to face Manchester United in the Europa League final.
In a video released via the club's social media channels, 21 players were pictured boarding the bus ahead of catching their flight to Bilbao on Monday evening.
And Maddison, who Ange Postecoglou said would miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, was pictured as part of the travelling party.
Tottenham players pictured in the travelling squad: Guillermo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Callum Olusesi, Damola Ajayi, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Mikey Moore, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Son Heung-Min, Mathys Tel, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Dane Scarlett, Will Lankshear
Read the full story, here.
Why United are sticking to their pre-match plan
Tottenham flew to Bilbao on Monday. United are scheduled to fly at 3pm on Tuesday. Spurs are training at San Mames whereas United will train at Carrington. Ange Postecoglou's pre-match press conference at San Mames is at 1645. Ruben Amorim is scheduled to speak at 1930.
United had a meeting with Uefa about landing slots at Bilbao Airport. The airport felt tiny accommodating a couple of thousand United fans when they flew in two seasons ago and in recent months, never mind the arrival of tens of thousands of English football fans.
Superstitious supporters may start to get twitchy. Have Spurs gone too early? Are United going too late? United's itinerary is in keeping with their European schedule this season: train at home, afternoon flight and evening press conference. 3pm is their usual departure time for a European away game.
Read the full story, here.