Paul Scholes has revealed his Europa League final prediction after Manchester United and Tottenham advanced from the semi-finals.
United thrashed La Liga side Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate to surge into the final, which will be played on May 21, while Spurs thumped Norwegian outfit Bodo-Glimt 5-1 across two legs.
The winner of the Europa League will not only secure a major trophy but qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Manchester United and Tottenham are 15th and 16th respectively in the Premier League – more than 20 points outside the Champions League places.
But winning the Europa League final will send one of the struggling Premier League clubs into Europe’s top competition next season and Scholes expects that to be Man United.
‘I’m not saying United will definitely win it but history tells me they’ve got a great chance,’ Scholes said on TNT Sports.
‘We know Spurs have beat them three times this season and they’re a really good team. I like Tottenham.
‘If they watch that first 70 minutes [of United’s second leg against Bilbao] Spurs will think they’ve got a good chance.
‘But I just think about the history of this club. It’s almost like Real Madrid at times, they can not play well and still win cups.
‘I just feels the odds are slightly in United’s favour. But I do think Spurs are a good side on their day.
‘I just think the history and the experience of the club will get them over the line. I really like Ange and think he’s got a good team but I just favour Manchester United.’
Scholes’ former United teammate Owen Hargreaves added: ‘It’s going to be fascinating. There is so much at stake for everyone.
‘But if United in a down season can win a trophy and get into 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.’
Man Utd power past Bilbao
Manchester United took a huge step to reaching the Europa League final by thumping 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg in Spain.
Mikel Jauregizar gave the Spaniards hope of a comeback with a first-half opener at Old Trafford but United rallied and won 4-1 on the night thanks to Mason Mount’s brace and goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund.
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim said: ‘It’s the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season.
‘I know I should be a better manager and the team should be better at this moment but we’re trying and we are in a European final.’
Spurs too strong for Bodo-Glimt
Tottenham beat Bodo-Glimt 3-1 in the home leg and produced a professional performance in Norway to advance to the final.
Chasing two goals to force extra-time, Bodo-Glimt’s hopes evaporated when Spurs scored twice in six second-half minutes through Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro.
‘I couldn’t be prouder of the lads,’ under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said. ‘We knew it was a difficult place to come.
‘We’re aware of the record they have here, the pitch. I think the lads handled it well. Excited, we’re in a final.’
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