Despite Tottenham and Manchester United enduring disappointing, identical domestic seasons, Owen Hargreaves has stated that the Red Devils have the momentum going into the Europa League final.
Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have endured dismal domestic campaigns, with both sides currently languishing in the bottom six of the Premier League table.
Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in 16th place, while Manchester United sit just one spot above in 15th, holding a slender one-point advantage over the Lilywhites.
Despite their Premier League struggles, both clubs have managed to carve out impressive European runs, securing their places in the Europa League final and setting up a high-stakes all-English clash in the process.
Owen Hargreaves backs Manchester United over Tottenham in Europa League final
Spurs overcame Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate in their semi-final tie, while Manchester United swept aside Athletic Bilbao 7-1 to book their place in the final, teeing up a showdown between two fallen domestic giants.
Speaking to TNT Sports in the aftermath of the semi-final results, former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves shared his thoughts on both teams and gave his take on who carries the advantage into the final.
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According to Hargreaves, momentum now lies with Manchester United, citing the positive energy building at the club and the achievement of reaching the final despite their turbulent season.
He said as relayed by BBC Sport: “It is going to be fascinating. For Ange, a European trophy and Champions League football, there is so much at stake for everyone.
“But if United, in a down season, can win a trophy and get into the Champions League, it tells you what the club is all about.
“Right now, momentum is with Manchester United with the energy around the club at the moment.”
Tottenham must ignore pundit talk and stay focused
It is rather difficult to understand Hargreaves’ reasoning for saying momentum is with Manchester United, when both United and Spurs have endured almost identical seasons.
Both sides have struggled domestically, and yet both have found a way to reach a European final, showing resilience when it mattered most.
In fact, Tottenham have beaten Manchester United three times already this campaign, and yet somehow, the narrative still swings in favour of the Red Devils.
Just look at Man United’s last six results in the Premier League – it hardly screams momentum. Yes, they have been dominant in Europe, but so have Tottenham, and the Red Devils were very nearly knocked out by Lyon on the way to the final too.
Spurs are in awful Premier League form. Man United are in awful Premier League form. Both have done well in the Europa League. If you want to make United the favourites, then fine, they have a long history of silverware success. But at least make it make sense.