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It isn’t often a manager is hired by Real Madrid after being sacked by Tottenham with the club bottom of the Premier League.

But this was the case for Juande Ramos, who endured a rollercoaster 12-month stint of charge of Spurs, which peaked when he delivered a first major trophy in nine years with League Cup glory in 2008.

As Ange Postecoglou bids to become the first manager to deliver major silverware since the Spaniard, there could be some striking similarities between the pair should he achieve this.

The Australian leads the north Londoners into their Europa League final against Manchester United with his future very much up in the air.

A torrid Premier League campaign sees Spurs 17th in the table, and talkSPORT understands that even European glory may not be enough to keep Postecoglou in the job.

Should he depart having landed silverware, he would follow in the footsteps of both of Tottenham's last trophy-winning managers.

Both Ramos and 1999 League Cup winner George Graham were sacked shortly after ending respective trophy droughts.

And while Graham's sacking spelled the end of his managerial career, it had the opposite effect on Ramos, who arguably went on to land football's dream job.

In December 2008, the well-travelled Spanish coach was named as Real Madrid's new manager, taking charge of a squad filled with superstars including Sergio Ramos, Raul and Fabio Cannavaro.

But this would have looked inconceivable six weeks earlier, when he was shown the door with Spurs bottom of the Premier League.

It drew the curtain on a short but eventful spell at White Hart Lane, which at first promised great things following his appointment in October 2007.

Just four months into his tenure, Ramos delivered a long-awaited trophy when his side beat Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.

The 2-1 extra-time victory appeared to have secured the former Sevilla boss legend status in north London, especially given that Spurs had battered bitter rivals Arsenal 5-1 to book their spot at Wembley.

But things took a turn for the worse, as an 11th-place finish in thePremier League and a dreadful start to the 2008/09 campaign piled the pressure on Ramos.

During this time, Ramos' brutal training and dietary regime also made the headlines, with the Spaniard banning ketchup, salt and pepper in the canteen.

In fact, his methods were so tough that they left one player in hospital on a drip, according to former Spurs striker Darren Bent.

Ultimately, this was all too much for chairman Daniel Levy, who dismissed the Spaniard with his side at the foot of the league table.

But the disappointment certainly didn't hinder Ramos' job prospects, who secured an immediate return to football when he was surprisingly unveiled by Real Madrid weeks later.

With the Spanish giants sitting a disappointing fifth in the LaLiga table at the time of his appointment, the ex-Spurs boss managed to turn the tide in spectacular fashion.

He brought Los Blancos back into the title race after winning 52 points out of a possible 54 in 18 consecutive games.

Ultimately however, Real fell just short at the end of the season, finishing second in the league, nine points behind champions Barcelona.

And despite steadying the ship at the Santiago Bernabeu, a lack of league success and a 5-0 aggregate exit to Liverpool in the Champions League wasn't enough to earn Ramos an extension on his short-term deal until the end of the season.

This brought to an end a whirlwind period for the 70-year-old, who went on to see out the rest of his managerial career with spells at CSKA Moscow, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Malaga.

Manchester United and Tottenham both have the chance to save their dismal seasons in the Europa League final tonight.

The Premier League rivals are set to meet in Bilbao with major silverware and a big chunk of money on the line.

Ruben Amorim's Man United breezed past Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, winning 7-1 on aggregate to reach the big game.

The Red Devils were joined in the final on the same night, as Tottenham also eased past their opponents, Bodo/Glimt.

Spurs backed up a 3-1 first leg win with a 2-0 victory and set up an all-English affair in a major European clash.

With both teams sitting 16th and 17th in the Premier League, Amorim and Ange Postecoglou are coming under huge pressure.

But winning the Europa League would save either side's campaign, making this a pivotal night for both clubs and their managers.

And not only will victory bring a much-needed trophy, it will also come with a massive injection of cash...

Europa League prize money

In the Europa League final, Man United and Tottenham will be playing to claim the maximum reward of £10.95million.

That is almost double what the runners-up receive, with the losers in Bilbao taking home a prize of £5.9million.

The prize for winning the UEFA's second-tier tournament is around half of the reward for winning the Champions League.

Champions League winners claim £21.1m, and Inter Milan will face Paris Saint-Germain, with the victor taking home that cash.

Runners-up in Europe's elite competition win £15m, so that's almost triple what one of Man United and Spurs will get.

But progressing through each round of the Europa League has still significantly increased the payout for both United and Spurs.

Every team that made the League Phase received £3.6m each for simply qualifying for that stage of UEFA's second tier.

Each win in the league handed a club £379,201, and each draw would see a reward of £126,400 be given out.

Those that automatically qualified for the knockout rounds received £505,000, while those that saw their journey end in the knockout round play-offs got £252,000.

Prize money then took a big jump for the round of 16, seeing those eliminated in that stage claim £1.47m.

Teams that lost in the quarter-finals took home £2.11m, missing out on an extra chunk by being eliminated.

A semi-final spot saw Man United and Spurs guarantee themselves a sum of £3.54m, but they will now be getting much more in the final.

All of these prizes are just below 40 per cent of the entire Europa League payouts, just focusing on performance-based criteria.

The rest of the money is split between clubs taking part, also taking into account any broadcasting revenue.

Europa League: Road to the final

Quarter-finals

Lazio 3-1 Bodo/Glimt [2-3]

Manchester United 5-4 Lyon [7-6]

Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham [1-2]

Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Rangers [2-0]

Semi-finals

Manchester United 4-1 Athletic Bilbao [7-1]

Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Spurs [1-5]

Final - Wednesday, May 21

Tottenham vs Manchester United

Tottenham’s squad reunited with a former star striker ahead of their massive Europa League final in Bilbao this evening.

But it wasn’t club icon and all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane.

Instead, Spurs’ stars were filmed delightedly greeting ex-forward Fernando Llorente, who met up with the team on Tuesday.

Captain Heung-min Son and Ben Davies were filmed hugging and laughing with the Spaniard, chanting his name together.

Llorente played 66 games for the club, including an appearance off the bench in the last European final Spurs reached - the Champions League final in 2019.

The striker, who is also a legend in Bilbao, played second-fiddle to Kane throughout his Tottenham career, but it’s the other way around for this game.

He’s going to be supporting the club, while their former captain won’t be at the Europa League showpiece, keeping an eye from afar…

Why is Kane not at the Europa League final?

Kane will not be in Bilbao as he’s on holiday.

The Bayern Munich frontman finally ended his long trophy drought this season and is now taking some well-earned time away.

But he found time alongside the celebrations to send a message to his old Spurs teammates, as they look to end their title drought too.

“A bit strange for me to be watching as a fan,” Kane said. "But you know I am wishing them all the best.

"The fans deserve to have that joy, that celebration that they have been waiting for, for a long time now.”

He has been in the minds of his ex-teammates too, as Son, who built a special relationship with Kane on the pitch and off it, has spoken about him leading up to the Europa League final.

In his press conference this week, the Spurs skipper said: "Everybody knows Harry is my best mate.

"It was a huge honour playing alongside him. After he won the first title, we had a chat about his trophy.”

He added: "He is already on holiday, so he doesn't have to text me. I just concentrate myself with the boys.

“Harry will be the biggest Spurs fan tomorrow, I'm definitely sure he will be supporting us from holiday."

The Europa League final will kick off at 8pm this evening at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game from Spain, presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

talkSPORT.com will also be on hand for all the latest news and build-up, including a live match blog for all the updates on the night.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham tenure will be defined by a statement that has served as the backdrop to tonight's Europa League final.

“Usually in my second season I win things,” the Spurs boss boldly stated ahead of the first match of his second campaign in charge.

Speaking in August, Postecoglou added: “That’s the whole idea. The first year is about establishing principles and creating a foundation. Hopefully, the second year is going on to win things.”

A month later, following a 1-0 home defeat in September by north London rivals Arsenal, the Australian doubled down on his claim.

“I’ll correct myself — I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year, nothing’s changed,” he reiterated to Sky post-match. “I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”

That narrative has continued to be levied at Postecoglou throughout what has been a historically poor season for Spurs.

Tottenham languish 17th in the Premier League table and are on course to finish in their lowest position since the Premier League's inception in 1992, having already broken their record for most top-flight defeats in a single season with their lowest points total.

The Lilywhites crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Liverpool in the semi-finals, before Aston Villa ended their FA Cup dreams.

Spurs haven't won a trophy since 2008, but Postecoglou has experience of ending decade-long droughts of winning silverware.

The 59-year-old knows that success in the Europa League final is the club's last hope of having the last laugh...

Has Postecoglou won a trophy every second year?

Yes, the Ange mythology is based on facts, with the Aussie winning in his second season or second full season in charge of his various clubs.

Since breaking into top-flight professional management in 2009, Postecoglou has won titles in his homeland, Asia, and Scotland.

However, his first taste of success as a manager came at his boyhood club, South Melbourne, where he spent nine years as a player.

Postecoglou steered his side to the league title in his second season before spending seven years coaching Australia's youth teams.

Postecoglou then had brief spells at Greek side Panachaiki (nine months) and Australian outfit Whittlesea Zebras (three months).

Neither role lasted until the second season, but he bounced back in style upon his move to Brisbane Roar in 2009.

Following a second-bottom finish in his debut campaign, Postecoglou stormed to A-League Championship glory during the 2010/11 term.

He retained their title the following year before having 18 months at Melbourne Victory, where he failed to see out his second season.

Postecoglou was appointed Australia's national team boss at the end of 2013, with his first match at the helm being that November.

The Socceroos finished bottom of their 2014 World Cup group, but by January 2015, he'd masterminded Asian Cup glory on home soil.

Three years later, Postecoglou made the move to Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos, and a second-season league title followed.

Postecoglou came to Celtic in June 2021 with the backdrop of Steven Gerrard having guided an Invincible Rangers to the SPFL title.

Unlike previous positions, he did not need two seasons before winning, as the Bhoys won five trophies in his two years at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur fans are already dreaming of ending their 17-year trophy drought - and two award-winning musicians have added to their excitement.

With Spurs preparing for their Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday night - live on talkSPORT - two supporters have created an anthem that could soon become part of the club's folklore.

Songwriter and record producers Paul Epworth and Jimmy Napes have combined together to release a song titled 'To Dare Is To Do' - the same name as Spurs' motto.

The duo have won a whopping nine Grammy awards between them [six for Epworth, three for Napes].

Meanwhile, the pair have each scooped an Academy award [Oscar] as well as a Golden Globe for their part in two of James Bond's iconic opening songs.

Epworth worked alongside Adele for her rendition of 'Skyfall' for the 2012 movie of the same name, while Napes collaborated with Sam Smith for 'Writing's on the Wall' for the film 'Spectre' three years later.

And now the duo have worked together to release a Spurs-inspired song that they hope will rival anthems such as Chas & Dave's 'Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur,' 'Ossie's Dream,' and 'Hot Shot Tottenham'.

Tottenham-supporting choir members supply the main vocals for the track along with the help of 27 children from the Epworth and Napes' own children's schools.

The pair appeared on talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Baker show to discuss their new song, which is now available on all major platforms.

Commenting on the track, Epworth was quick to comment on them being the modern-day Chas & Dave, as he joked: "We did think about calling it Jimmy and Paul, because it had a bit of a ring to it."

Napes then quipped: "Yeah, the new Chas & Dave."

Describing how the song came about, Napes said: "We went to the pub, actually, a few years ago and just having a chat, because we obviously both work in music.

"We were like, 'Maybe we should do something together.' We talked about various artists that we're working with. We were like, 'No, sod that, let's write a song for Tottenham.'

Interjecting, Epworth then remarked: "And you were kind of joking. I was like, 'Yeah, we sort of need a new song.' And I was like, 'What would you call it?' He went, 'To Dare Is To Do?' and I was like, 'Ahh, we're in.'

"Ten minutes later and with three pints, we had half the lyrics and then ditched most of them, but we sort of realised there was legs in it.

"You can rhyme To Dare Is To Do with 1882 [the year Tottenham were founded], we're off and away!"

Attention then turned to Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal, who have adopted Louis Dunford's 'The Angel' as their unofficial anthem, where it has been played before every home match starting from the closing stages of the 2021/22 season.

Discussing the song, Epworth said, 'Well that is the bar,' with Napes then stating: "To get the song played before the games and have all other fans berate it and say how rubbish it is - that's the bar!'"

Explaining why they have written the song, Napes then said: "I just think it's important to do what you love, really, and I love Tottenham, so I just thought we'd make a love letter to Tottenham.

"Thought it would be fun, and like, wherever anything comes of it now, we'll recommend it."

Jumping in, Epworth pointed out that the writing process begun during the early stages of Ange Postecoglou's Spurs career which begun in 2023 - and was only finished earlier this month,

He remarked: "We did start it, I think it was during the early days of Ange's tenure at the club, and we were winning all the time.

"We thought, 'Let's write a song for Tottenham, everything's going the right direction,' and then, kind of, gradually, the wheels came off.

"So we sort of sat on the hard drive for a bit, and we were like, 'Should we finish that song?' and he was like, 'Yeah maybe later,' and about two weeks ago, we were like, 'Better finish that song.'"

Epworth then insisted how he hopes Spurs-mad Adele will be signing along to it in the future, while declaring how he wishes the song resonates with the Tottenham fanbase.

He said: "Maybe she'll sing it one day, I don't know, you hope that. I think our main thing was that we wanted to write something that the fans loved nd they wanted to sing it for themselves.

"And actually they felt it in their hearts and it actually would mean something and hopefully we've done the job."

Highlighting how they have set themselves up for disappointment, Napes then stated: "It's also not lost on me how brave this is to put this out ahead of the game, so let's see where we get to!

"We need the team to do the business as well."

The Europa League final is live on talkSPORT from 8pm on 21 May

Tottenham Hotspur's trophy drought sits at an agonising seventeen years.

For a club of their stature, it has become an easy stick for rival fans to beat them with.

The fact Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Swansea City and even Wigan Athletic have won major trophies in that time has rubbed extra salt into the wounds.

It's not to say Tottenham haven't had chances to add silverware as they've accrued four runners-up medals since their 2008 League Cup triumph over rivals Chelsea.

Ange Postecoglou's side will look to avoid increasing the runners-up medal tally to five when they take on Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday.

Purely on reputation, it would be billed as a heavyweight clash and in many respects, it still is.

But both sides have floundered in the Premier League this term as Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim have set embarrassing new lows throughout.

Yet Wednesday gives the two managers one final chance to make something out of an otherwise-dismal campaign for their respective sides.

It goes without saying what a victory in Bilbao would do for Tottenham.

However, speaking on talkSPORT's Trans Euro Express, journalist Andy Brassell does not believe a win for Postecoglou's side would trump the significance of a similar result for United.

"It feels to me, actually, that winning this game is more important for United," Brassell said.

"I can see the route to Spurs getting better quite quickly. Even if there are problems at the club, even if I have doubts over the coach, I don't think they're a million miles away from being able to improve.

"For United, I think they've got so much work to do, an incredible amount of work to do.

"I don't even know if Amorim is going to be the person to do it, because it's clear he's getting more and more frustrated.

"But they need this Champions League, they need the money, they need to be able to pull players of repute because that squad needs one heck of a turnover."

One factor in Postecoglou's favour is he is yet to lose to United since he took over as Tottenham boss.

The Australian boasts four victories and one draw against the Red Devils in all competitions, with their latest encounter ending in a 1-0 win for Tottenham.

However, Postecoglou will enter Wednesday's final with a serious midfield conundrum on his hands.

Postecoglou appears to have found success using a double pivot in midfield, where Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur are expected to feature against United.

But questions remain regarding who will fill the void as the attacking midfielder.

James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall will play no part, nor will Dejan Kulusevski who had been earmarked for an advanced midfield role but has since undergone knee surgery.

Pape Matar Sarr is an option, although he is more comfortable in a less attacking role.

Wilson Odobert showed promise in the position during Tottenham's 2-0 loss against Aston Villa last Friday, but he is far more accustomed to life on the wing.

Brassell believed Sarr to be 'the safest bet', even if he has high praise for Odobert.

"I think if you wind back to AZ in the last 16, I thought Odobert was brilliant in the second leg," Brassell said.

"But I just think sticking him in a position that's not out wide, I think is a bit of a risk.

"Sarr's ability to break into the box gives you something else to play with as well.

"I don't think there's any right answer and I don't think there's an enormous amount of options, which I guess feeds into the Postecolgou narrative of how hard done by he's been this season."

Regardless of who gets the nod, they will have an almighty task in limiting the effectiveness of their opposite number, Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese star has been an ever-present for United this season and one of their few shining lights, having accrued an impressive 19 goals and 19 assists from 55 appearances in all competitions.

Put simply, Spurs do not have a player available who can turn a contest on its head quite like Fernandes.

It is the reason why Brassell feels slightly inclined to favour the Red Devils to land silverware for a third season on the bounce as he explained the unique situation behind Fernandes' success at Old Trafford.

"If that's why I'm going to lean slightly towards Manchester United, that would be why," Brassell said.

"I don't think it's impossible for Tottenham, at all. But I think the Bruno Fernandes factor is huge.

"United have not dragged him down in the way they have dragged others down.

"But why Bruno Fernandes works so well for Manchester United is because he likes to run a team.

"Because they didn't really have a plan or a strategy when he came in, and the plan was to let Bruno run the team, he got to play exactly how he was playing at Sporting before. There was no tactical nuance to it.

"That's what he's done for most of the time he's been there, which is why he's been exceptionally successful."

Yet for all of Fernandes' evident brilliance, Postecoglou has found a way to nullify him on five separate occasions.

If he can do it for a sixth, the Australian's claim he 'always' wins things in his second season may very well remain blissfully intact.

Man United and Spurs legends give Europa League final verdict

Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea knows a thing or two about what it takes to win silverware.

After all, the Irishman picked up an impressive 14 trophies in his time at Old Trafford.

Yet O'Shea believes the importance of securing Champions League qualification may outweigh the value of a trophy for United, especially given the riches associated with a spot in Europe's marquee club competition.

"Not only do you win a European trophy, which the club has been synonymous with, but it's the build-up for what it leads up to for next season," O'Shea told talkSPORT.

"Listen, it won' t be a feel-good factor, far from it, from either team's point of view. But when you win silverware, it's huge for any club.

"You can argue the different tournaments, but that's the tournament you're in. You get Champions League qualification from it, you do all you can to win it."

O'Shea added victory on Wednesday would 'be a crumb of comfort' for United's suffering supporters, but was also not oblivious to the fact there's 'lots of work to do' going forward.

His international teammate Paul McShane, who came through United's academy and now coaches the Red Devils' Under-15s, echoed a similar sentiment.

"With the season that the first team has had, it's been poor. There's no denying that." McShane told talkSPORT.

"There's a chance to resurrect it a little bit with the game on Wednesday.

"Spurs are in a similar situation, so it's going to be a very interesting game. It's big for the club, it's big financially."

McShane even claimed United may have 'hit rock bottom', but felt it was a necessary pain to endure in order to progress.

"It's been a crazy season," McShane said.

"No-one expected the team to finish as low as they have. It's clear to see there's a few issues and it needs sorting.

"I think you have to hit rock bottom before you go up again. I'm guessing this is pretty much rock bottom for the club.

"But there is a chance, there's a European final and the fans will be excited about it. They'll be desperate for any bit of success now."

Wayne Routledge, who was on Tottenham's books from 2005 to 2008, was reluctant to lean one way or the other regarding who he thought would win Wednesday's final.

However, the 40-year-old pointed out how a spot in the Champions League for United would be 'huge'.

"I think they both need it to be honest, to save their season," Routledge told talkSPORT.

"I think it's pretty evident a trophy might paper over some cracks. I think it's very difficult to say which team needs it more."

Routledge added: "I think you have to look at the other side of it. Manchester United will be in the middle of a massive rebuild.

"To be playing Champions League will be huge for them. May the best team win."

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fans were seen brawling in the streets ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Around 70,000 football fans are thought to have travelled from England to Spain ahead of the showpiece event.

And while most are on their best behaviour after finding any means necessary to make the occasion, a shameful minority have gone viral online after violence in the streets.

Shocking footage captured by local residents shows the two fanbases fighting on a narrow street, throwing missiles at each other.

That soon escalated into punches thrown as the distance was closed.

It is understood local police rushed to the scene to restore order, although no arrests were made and nobody was left with serious injuries.

This has caused frustration online as some users on social media platform X described the fight as a ‘national embarrassment’.

Others named the supporters ‘idiots’ and ‘scumbags’ for disrespecting the City of Bilbao.

Emotions are running high as Tottenham and Man United have the opportunity to correct a poor domestic season.

Ange Postecoglou’s side sit 17th in the Premier League and have lost 25 matches in all competitions this season, their joint-highest number of defeats in a single campaign in their history along with 1991/92.

Even if Tottenham lift the European trophy, talkSPORT understands that Postecoglou is not guaranteed to remain at the club.

Despite the speculation the Australian remains confident as confirmed by himself during the pre-match press conference.

“My future is assured mate,” he said. “I wouldn't be the first person who changes jobs mate, we all change jobs, I'm sure you've had more than one job.

“My future's assured. I've got a beautiful family, I've got a great life, I'll keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is.

“So, don't worry about my future, mate. My future is not tied with anything, my future is assured.”

This is also an opportunity to end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought.

They came close in 2019 but lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League final.

Man United, despite a rough few seasons, have continued to pick up silverware with two FA Cups, two Carabao Cups and a Europa League title in the last decade.

Ruben Amorim’s team sit 16th and have conceded defeat in 18 league matches, their most in a season since losing 20 in 1973/74 - the last time they were relegated.

What Man United fans will be keen to forget is that Tottenham have beaten the Red Devils all three times they have played each other this season.

In September Spurs thrashed Man United 3-0 but the two following matches were a much closer contest, finishing 4-3 and 1-0.

The Europa League final takes place tonight and Manchester United and Tottenham will fight for glory in an all-English encounter in Spain.

Both of the Premier League sides' seasons rest on winning the Bilbao spectacle after dismal domestic campaigns, losing a combined total of 39 Premier League games.

The Red Devils thrashed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in Spain, and then backed that up with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford to go through.

Meanwhile, Spurs beat Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in the first leg and then 2-0 in the second to book a place in Bilbao.

For the winner, there will be a place in the Champions League.

Here’s all you need to know about this year’s Europa League final…

Europa League final: Date and kick-off time

The 2025 Europa League final will take place tonight - Wednesday, May 21.

It is being held at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain - home of Man United's semi-final opponents, Athletic Bilbao.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm UK time, with talkSPORT's live coverage of the final presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will then be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

talkSPORT.com will also be on hand for all the latest news and build-up, including a live match blog for all the updates on the night.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The final will also be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK, read our article on the best TNT Sports subscription deals if you are looking to sign up before the final.

Man United's route to the final

League Phase

FC Twente - drew 1-1 (H)

Porto - drew 3-3 (A)

Fenerbahce - drew 1-1 (A)

Paok - won 2-0 (H)

Bodo/Glimt - won 3-2 (H)

Viktoria Plzen - won 2-1 (A)

Rangers - won 2-1 (H)

FC Steaua Bucuresti - won 2-0 (A)

Knockout phase

Round of 16 - Beat Real Sociedad 5-2 (agg)

Quarter-final - Beat Lyon 7-6 (agg)

Semi-final - Beat Athletic Bilbao 7-1 (agg)

Tottenham's route to the final

League Phase

Qarabag - won 3-0 (H)

Ferencvaros - won 2-1 (A)

AZ Alkmaar - won 1-0 (A)

Galatasaray - lost 2-3 (A)

Roma - drew 2-2 (H)

Rangers - drew 1-1 (A)

TSG Hoffenheim - won 3-2 (A)

IF Elfsborg - won 3-0 (A)

Knockout phase

Round of 16 - Beat AZ Alkmaar 3-2 (agg)

Quarter-final - Beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 (agg)

Semi-final - Beat Bodo/Glimt 5-1 (agg)

Europa League final: Team news

United could have Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee back after they took part in training on Tuesday morning.

They will be without Lisandro Martinez due to a long-term injury, while Matthijs de Ligt is set to remain out too.

Ayden Heaven has returned, and he stands a chance of being involved.

For Spurs, it's a bleak situation in terms of creative players.

Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison will play no part, while Lucas Bergvall is also struggling with an ankle issue

Timo Werner is also out with a hamstring problem.

Pape Matar Sarr limped off during the defeat to Aston Villa and faces a late fitness test.

Europa League final: What has been said?

Ruben Amorim believes that luck, fitness and clinical finishing must go United's way in order to beat Tottenham in the final.

Amorim will take charge of his first final at United since making his move to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in November.

And he has revealed what aspects of the match he thinks must fall in line for them to beat Spurs later this month.

He said: "I'm just worried about the next game, trying to not get any injuries for the final. If we don't win the final, it means nothing for us.

"We have to have a full squad [against Spurs], stay in the game and have a bit of luck and we have to be clinical.

"It's quite similar for me and Ange [Postecoglou]. It is a tough moment [for us both] and one of us is going to win. It's going to be a big final and we will try to win.

"It's hard to describe what it's like to be manager of this club and you want to give them [the fans] something because we were so disappointing in the Premier League. We want to give something to the fans."

Manchester United and Tottenham have sacrificed their Premier League standings in pursuit of Europa League glory tonight.

The two clubs are both one win away from a backdoor entrance into the Champions League next season via UEFA's secondary competition.

Man United and Tottenham, who have lost a combined 39 Premier League games between them, will contest the trophy in Bilbao.

In addition to winning silverware, the two teams are desperate for the Champions League riches that come with qualification, with United standing to neta tidy £85.8million windfall.

Doing so via their final Premier League position is impossible, with United down in 16th, one spot above Spurs, who only have the three relegated teams beneath them.

All focus has been on Europe recently, with the Red Devils enduring six defeats and two draws from their past eight domestic games.

Similarly, Tottenham's only Premier League win since the end of February has been at home to relegated Southampton.

In contrast, the race to secure Champions League football couldn't be any closer, with just three points separating seventh and third.

However, with the Europa League heading to either Man United or Tottenham, what does that mean for English football's fifth spot?

How many Premier League teams can be in the Champions League?

Arsenal's win over Real Madrid on April 8 meant that the top five Premier League teams will qualify for next season's Champions League.

That will be extended to as many as SIX clubs, with either Manchester United or Tottenham guaranteed to win the Europa League.

That is because both the Red Devils and Spurs will finish outside the top five, with the Champions League slot reserved for the winners of UEFA's second tournament, separate from domestic allocation.

It'll come as a huge boost to the likes of Man City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.

The performances of Premier League sides in all of UEFA’s competitions this season ensured England are guaranteed a top-two spot in UEFA's association club coefficient rankings, thus being one of two countries to gain an extra Champions League spot.

Arsenal's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday saw them join Liverpool in guaranteeing their spot in the top tournament next season.

The Magpies' Carabao Cup triumph over the Reds means the Toon have secured a spot in the Conference League at least for 2025/26.

Should Newcastle qualify for the Champions League or Europa League via their league position, then their place in the third tier will be transferred to the next-highest Premier League side who have not qualified for Europe.

Crystal Palace's win in the FA Cup meant the Eagles will take one of the allocated two Europa League spots.

When is the Europa League final?

The 2025 Europa League final will take place on Wednesday, May 21.

It is being held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain - home of Man United's semi-final opponents, Athletic Bilbao.

Kick-off is currently scheduled for 8pm, with talkSPORT's live coverage of the final presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will then be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

talkSPORT.com will also be on hand for all the latest news and build-up, including a live match blog for all the updates on the night.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The final will also be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK, read our article on the best TNT Sports subscription deals if you are looking to sign up before the final.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have both endured miserable seasons domestically, but they are in the mix for a trophy.

The pair will meet in the Europa League final. A piece of silverware is up for grabs, plus Champions League qualification. Who will come out on top when two English teams meet in Bilbao?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United best bets

Manchester United to lift the trophy - 4/5 with SBK

Under 2.5 goals - 9/10 with BetMGM

Bruno Fernandes to score any time - 12/5 with Spreadex

Check out all the best Europa League Final free bets, promotions and bet boosts

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United odds

Find the latest Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United predictions

So it all comes down to this.

For months now, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have essentially given up on the Premier League to focus on the Europa League.

The winner of Wednesday’s final will be able to justify that strategy, while the loser will be left to reflect on a dismal campaign.

There is not just a trophy up for grabs in Bilbao this week. A place in next season's edition of the Champions League is also there for the taking.

It is hard to believe that one of these two teams will take a seat at Europe’s top table in 2025/26. Spurs are 17th in the Premier League and United are 16th. Only the three clubs who were in the Championship last term have performed worse across 37 games.

Whatever happens when Tottenham face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, this season will bring their lowest finish since relegation in 1976/77.

As for United, the last time they finished lower than 16th was when they went down to the second tier in 1973/74.

It is remarkable how far these two teams have fallen. When United finished eighth last term - their worst ever showing in the Premier League era - it was rightly seen as a terrible outcome. Now they are eight places lower than that erstwhile nadir.

Tottenham finished fifth in Ange Postecoglou's debut campaign at the helm, fuelling hope of Champions League qualification via the league this time around.

In fact, Tottenham could quite easily have been dragged into a relegation battle had at least one of the bottom three been more competitive.

And yet, by at least one measure, this could still be Spurs’ most successful season since 2007/08, when they won the EFL Cup. Or perhaps even since 1990/91, if you consider the Europa League to be a more prestigious prize than England’s secondary domestic cup.

United have underwhelmed in the Premier League since Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but they have at least continued to pick up silverware - including the Europa League in 2017. For the Red Devils, you could argue that Champions League qualification is the more important prize.

All eyes on the Estadio de San Mames in the Basque Country on Wednesday night.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United betting tips

Will Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United lift the Europa League trophy?

Manchester United to lift the trophy

Tottenham have beaten Manchester United twice already this season, winning home and away in the Premier League.

Yet in a one-off game with a trophy on the line, United deserve to be favourites. They are a club with a more established winning culture than Tottenham, and that could make a difference on the night.

Consider, too, that Spurs will be without perhaps their three most creative midfielders in Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Both teams have been as bad as each other in the Premier League recently. United have taken two points from the last 24 on offer, while Spurs have lost six of their last eight games.

They might not get the job done in 90 minutes, but we expect United to win the final one way or another.

⚽ Select Manchester United to lift the trophy at 4/5 with SBK ⚽

Under 2.5 goals

Given how bad Tottenham and Manchester United have been for the vast majority of the campaign, it is difficult to envisage this being a high-quality match.

Nerves could play a role as well, further reducing the chances of a thrilling game of football.

Both sets of players will be anxious about making mistakes and neither side will want to open up the game too early.

Tottenham are a front-footed team under Postecoglou, but their recent games have been lower-scoring than before - so much so that this bet would have paid out in each of their last four outings.

United continue to struggle going forward, so goals could be at a premium on Wednesday.

⚽Tip under 2.5 goals at 9/10 with BetMGM ⚽

Bruno Fernandes to score any time

Bruno Fernandes was recently named Manchester United’s Player of the Year for a record-equalling fourth time. We can only assume it was a landslide victory.

Fernandes has been head and shoulders above his colleagues in 2024/25. The Portuguese deserves credit for maintaining such high standards in an otherwise woeful side.

Fernandes has had criticism for his on-field demeanour, but no one can accuse him of failing to turn up in the big moments.

The United skipper continually stands up to be counted and he will once again be the man his team-mates look to for inspiration in the Europa League final.

⚽ Back Bruno Fernandes to score any time at 12/5 with Spreadex ⚽

📺 How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

Location: Estadio de San Mames, Bilbao, Spain.

Date and time: Wednesday 21st May, 8pm.

How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

Read more about the 2024/25 football season

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Champions League winner odds

Championship promotion odds

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