The Sun

JOHN TERRY has broken his silence on James Maddison's Europa League final dig at him.

Maddison channelled his inner JT after Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao last night, donning a FULL KIT despite not playing due to injury.

His changing from a suit to a matchday kit for the celebrations was instantly compared to Terry's wearing of a full Chelsea strip after their 2012/13 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

Poking fun at his wardrobe change, Maddison wrote on his Instagram story along with a picture of goalscorer Brennan Johnson: "From suit to full kit.

"Full @johnterry.26 mode. Anything to say tonight, John?"

It didn't take long for Terry to see Maddison's story, which he responded to with a brutal dig.

He wrote on his own story: "I remember my first trophy. Ah bless them.

"Get the tequila out. Great season from you boys, you should all be proud. 16 go go.

"After that performance, I think you have a chance. You just have to live for 900 years."

Maddison, 28, claimed he only wore the full kit so he could get his hands on a winners' medal, something Spurs skipper Son Heung-Min initially MISSED OUT on.

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He told CBS Sports: "They said I had to put the kit on to get a medal! I didn't want to do a John Terry!

"What a special feeling. Winning makes [the season] all alright – the pain of not being able to play is not being able to help the team.

"It is a brilliant achievement and a way to qualify for the Champions League but it is more winning for the fans.

"They have had years of pain."

HE TOLD us so. Big Ange Postecoglou told us that he always wins a trophy in his second season.

And even though it was a statement of fact, we laughed at him, we sneered and we wondered why he’d made such a bold statement when he was the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, London’s long-running comedy club.

But after a terrible match, between two terrible teams, settled by a terrible goal, Postecoglou has done it again - winning silverware in his second season, just as he’s done with five different clubs as well as Australia’s national team.

Brennan Johnson’s scruffy winner, which looked like a Shaw own goal, was enough to settle a Europa League final which resembled a relegation dogfight between the two clubs hovering over the Premier League’s drop zone.

And so Tottenham - no sniggering at the back - are in the Champions League.

Big Ange is highly unlikely to join them here. He sounded like a man who knew his fate before this match.

A shocking campaign of 21 league defeats is almost certain to earn the Aussie his P45.

Conversely, Ruben Amorim looks like remaining in charge of Manchester United despite a season of untold misery which wasn’t even afforded a silver lining.

The Portuguese has so far proven a significant downgrade on predecessor Erik ten Hag, who won trophies in both of his seasons at Old Trafford and never plunged towards the bottom of the table either.

A flying goal-line clearance from Micky van de Ven denied Rasmus Hojlund an equaliser but that was as good as it got for a United who dominated possession but showed precious little class.

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The bald truth is that United are one of the worst five teams in the top flight and will not be playing in Europe next season.

Their hopes of a major summer rebuild have been badly by this defeat - both financially and reputationally.

It wasn’t as if Postecoglou’s side rolled out any classic Angeball. We were not entertained by a conservative, defensive display.

But after a first trophy in 17 years, since the unloved Juande Ramos guided them to the 2008 League Cup, none of the travelling army of Tottenham fans were bothered.

Like Newcastle and Crystal Palace before them, they have ended a long drought for glory in a season of unlikely Cup winners.

This was the baddest Cup final on the planet, a battle to discover English football’s tallest midgets.

Would Uefa replace the Europa League anthem with the theme to the Muppet Show?

Postcecoglou had called out a journalist who claimed he’d be a clown if Spurs were beaten but the farce factor was high on a night when two bunches of serial losers scrapped it out for one of football’s greatest prizes.

Amorim handed a surprise start to Mason Mount - who had started Champions League and Euros finals in the past - benching Alejandro Garnacho.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, preferred Richarlison to club captain Son Heung-Min.

Any pre-match predictions felt like attempts to nail a jellyfish to the wall. There had simply been no precedent for an occasion like this.

Still, despite the formbook, they had invaded Bilbao - many of them Phileas Fogging it around Europe to reach the Basque Country.

It felt as if we were waiting to find out who would do something extremely silly first.

And it was Harry Maguire's poor pass which allowed Johnson to rob Luke Shaw and have an angled shot pushed out by Andre Onana.

Next, Guglielmo Vicario flapped at a corner and Amad Diallo drilled wide across goal.

It was anxious, low-grade stuff with occasional outbreaks of quality - Diallo’s darting dribbles, Mount with some pleasing reminders of his class, Richarlison showing

But largely speaking, it was living down to expectations. Spurs were not in a ‘to dare is to do’ mode, refusing to commit too many bodies forward.

So when the opener arrived, there was little surprise that it was a scruffy own goal.

Pape Matar Sarr centred from the left and the ball glanced off Johnson, then cannoned off Shaw's arm before it spun past a flailing Onana.

It was just the sort of goal you’d have imagined this contest might throw up.

But the travelling Spurs fans couldn’t give a stuff. Their team were roared off at the break.

United started the second half with a slick attacking move which ended, predictably, with Hojlund miscuing a header horribly.

The match shambled along, even Bruno Fernandes continually gifting possession.

On a Spurs break, Destiny Udogie fed Dominic Solanke, who completely missed his kick when he had a clear sight of goal.

Richarlison decided it was time for a nice lie-down in the middle of the pitch as Spurs attempted to run down the clock, and was replaced by Son.

At this point, Amorim called a spontaneous time-out, imploring his team to maybe string two or three passes together.

Casemiro punted a free-kick into the box, Vicario and Solanke went for the same ball and, from Hojlund’s header, Van de Ven produced an outstanding acrobatic clearance, connecting with his right shin.

Finally, Amorim sent for Garnacho, in place of Mount and Joshua Zirkzee for Hojlund.

And Garnacho instantly livened things up, darting down the left, cutting inside and pinging a shot which Vicario pushed away.

Here, at least, was a sense of urgency about United.

Maguire moved to centre-forward, as he tends to do when things get desperate.

But there was no way through Tottenham’s white wall.

Big Ange always does it. He always win his second season. Even when that second season is his last.

Live Blog

BATTLE OF BILBAO

Man Utd vs Tottenham – Europa League final LIVE SCORE: Final on NOW as strugglers battle it out – stream FREE, updates

MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham are facing off RIGHT NOW in a massive Europa League final!

On the team news front, Mason Mount has started for United, with Alejandro Garnacho only making the bench.

While for Spurs, Son could only make the bench with Richarlison getting the nod.

Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim is on course to record United's lowest-ever Premier League finish during his debut season at the helm - currently 16th following a recent 1-0 loss to Chelsea.

However, under-fire Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou promised that he always 'delivers a trophy in his second season' and will be desperate to end Spurs' 17-year trophy drought.

Kick-off time: 8pm BST

TV channel: TNT Sports 1

Free live stream: Discovery+

Man Utd starting team: Onana, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Amad, Mount, Hojlund.

Tottenham starting team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison

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Follow ALL the action from the Europa League final with our live blog below...

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

It seems like they do not know who they are marking or which runners to go with.

Udogie puts a cross into the box and Dorgu chests it behind with no Spurs' players anywhere near him.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

As a result, he is having to go to ground to prevent breaks and, all too often, thhe tackles are poorly timed.

Spurs are looking to press in the final third but Johnson is penalised for a handball.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

It is stretching the Tottenham defence.

As he receives it, Johnson tries to win it back but bundles him over at the cost of a free-kick.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Looking to play a more direct couter-attacking style.

Fernandes plays a low-drilled cross in from out wide but Vicario gets down to gather.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Neither defence is covering themselves in glory so far but they could be there for the taking if they concede early on.

Maguire hacks the ball clear at the expense of a throw-in.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Vicario fails to punch clear and it drops to Maguire.

He holds it up well before laying it off to Amad.

His shot flashes past the far post, not far away at all.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Dorgu goes to ground but the referee waves play on.

Shaw flies into a tackle and a free-kick is awarded.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Hacking at the ball and failing to even clear the edge of the penalty area.

Richarlison almost capitalises but his shot deflects behind for a corner.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Whenever crosses come in, it is all very scrappy as they try to clear.

Johnson gets in behind the back four and drives to the byline.

His cut-back is half-cleared and Sarr hits a first-time shot but there are so many bodies in front of him, it seemed inevitable it would be blocked.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

He picks the ball up but is muscled off it as it goes out for a throw in.

It must infuriate the fans how often he goes wandering, rather than actually get into the penalty area as most good strikers do.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Spurs are looking very nervy on the ball, constantly giving the ball away with poor passes.

Man Utd are trying to pass it around and make their opponents chase shadows.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Romero was all over him to be fair to the striker.

A free-kick is awarded, chance to get some quality into the box.

The Tottenham defender fails to clear with a swipe at the ball and the Red Devils win themselves a corner.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

He pressures Shaw and wins his side a corner.

The Man Utd defender felt the last touch was off the Spurs' man.

Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham

Credit to both sets of fans, the atmosphere is electric.

Tottenham are awarded an early free-kick on the halfway line.

Kick-off: Man Utd vs Tottenham

We are underway in Bilbao.

Heros or zeros, only time will tell.

Tottenham get the game started.

Ready to go in Bilbao

As the Europe League anthem plays out, both teams line up on the pitch.

We are ready for the action in Spain.

This is what we have all been waiting for.

From SunSport's Dave Courtnadge in Bilbao

They're doing everything to build up the atmosphere in the final minutes before kick-off... not that they need to.

The speakers blared out 'Country Road' for United fans to have a mass singalong.

That was after a lone bugler (or perhaps a recording of one) got the Tottenham end going with a spine-tingling blast of 'When the Spurs Go Marching In'.

And now it's back to the Euro pop... cranked up to 11.

This time they have 40 dancers in matching black and orange tracksuits doing some weird moves with huge cardboard hexagons to it, which doesn't make it any better.

Let's get on with the kick-off.

The winner takes it all

Two teams who have had seasons to forget domestically can do something this eveniing to pick their fans up with victory.

For the loser, pressure will be on and questions will be asked about the future of their manager.

Take the trophy home and you write another chapter in the history of the football club.

Atmosphere building in Bilbao

As we edge towards kick-off, the stadium is at fever-piitch.

It is rare we have a battle of Britain in Europe, something that usually provides classic matches.

There is so much riding on this for both teams, with a spot in the Champions League at stake as well as silverware.

United stats

Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash

Spurs stats

Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash

Lads, it's Tottenham

One of Fergie's most famous team talks saw him rally United from 3-0 down at White Hart Lane at half-time to win 5-3.

Legend has it that Fergie simply walked into the dressing room and said: 'Lads, it's Tottenham', which was enough to inspires his players to an incredible turnaround.

Paul Scholes was asked about the team talk but told TNT Sports: "I think it's a bit derogatory to speak about such a great football club like that.

"We knew… probably most of the time we had the beating of Tottenham.

"We were always confident against them.

"I know a lot has been made of 'It's only Tottenham, lads' but it isn't, you still have to play against a very good football team."

More from Maddison

He added: "As soon as we found out my season as over one of the first things the manager said to me was, 'Be upset, have your moment to be sad and then get around the group as quickly as possible'.

"He knows I am one of the older players now, they respect me and I can help the group."

'It is sad'

James Maddison appeared as a special guest on TNT Sports in the build-up to kick-off.

The England star said: "Of course it is difficult.

"You can feel the atmosphere around the game already.

"These are the games you want to be in involved, in the big European nights.

"I'm devastated not to be involved. We've had a good European campaign and to get to the final and not be part of it is sad.

"But the last in the last few days especially, you have to put that aside and be there for the lads and help them prepare for it."

TOTTENHAM have been blocked from honouring a 98-year tradition before the Europa League final.

Ange Postecoglou's side are taking on fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United on Wednesday night in Bilbao.

Spurs were ready to lay flowers down at an iconic statue outside the San Mames in tribute to Bilbao goal legend Pichichi.

But their plans were foiled by Uefa on the eve of the final.

Tottenham arrived armed with flowers for captain Heung-min Son to place before the famous Pichichi bust.

It is usually a tradition for those playing at the San Mames for the first time to lay down a wreath there.

Son was expecting to perform the tribute before going out to train in the stadium on Tuesday, only for Uefa to step in and remind Spurs the ceremony should only happen whey they play Athletic Bilbao and not a neural team.

The 49,600-seater stadium is handed over to Uefa for the event and they are in control of all logistics not Athletic Bilbao.

Man Utd made their Pichichi tribute ahead of the first leg of the Europa League semi-final in Bilbao, when they beat Athletic Club 3-0.

The tradition has existed since 1927.

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Rafael Moreno, an inside forward better known as Pichichi, died in 1922 at just 29 years old.

He is a club icon and his name lives on through an annual award made to LaLiga’s top scorer.

Born in Bilbao’s Casco Viejo, he scored 83 goals in 89 official games in an era before LaLiga.

He scored more than 200 for the club if friendlies are taken into account.

He won five regional Championship titles and four Copa del Rey's.

He played for Spain in the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, winning a silver medal.

MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM - EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVE

IT all comes down to this for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United when the pair meet in tonight's huge Europa League final.

The Premier League's 17th and 16th placed sides have suffered a dismal domestic campaign, but for one of them, their season will be saved by continental glory - and a spot in next season's Champions League.

SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the European showdown and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United preview

A pretty disastrous season will all be forgiven for ONE of these sides in Wednesday's do-or-die final.

Plenty has been made about Tottenham and Manchester United's dire campaigns but it's still ridiculous to fathom them heading into the final Premier League weekend in 17th and 16th, respectively.

But they'd given up on the league long before now and focused on this competition and the riches it brings.

For United, it'd be the latest trophy secured despite a string of below-par seasons and for Spurs it ends a long wait for a big trophy.

For both, it completely transforms their summer plans by banking a £100m Champions League bonus for earning their spot in amongst Europe's elite next season.

United are actually the only side to remain unbeaten in Europe this season having won nine and drawn five of their 14 ties on the continent.

A far cry from the 18 league defeats from 37 played. Though even that is less than the 21 suffered by Spurs.

Both sides were beaten on Friday night by Champions League chasing sides, though United did field a strong XI while Spurs opted to rest most of their key men.

Spurs do go into the final without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski but Son Heung-min has been getting minutes into his legs in the last two outings and his return is a big boost.

Tottenham are unbeaten in the last SIX games against Manchester United in all competitive competitions - winning four of those, including the last three.

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Yellow warning

Noussair Mazraoui went 15 starts without a booking in the Man Utd defence.

But it's now two yellows in his last three games as a long season and continued presence potentially begins to take its toll.

Spurs' wing backs and wingers are clearly their best avenue of attack and that puts further pressure on the United back line.

Mazraoui was also booked in cup game between the teams at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier in season.

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Porring it on

Speaking of Spurs full backs, Pedro Porro has stepped up in an attacking sense in recent weeks and will be a key outlet for Ange Postecoglou's men.

For a right back, he has two goals and two assists in his last six appearances before being rested on Friday night.

Can add to either of those stats here against a United side who've conceded seven times in last four games.

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OLIVER GLASNER and Xavi top the betting to become the next Tottenham Hotspur manager.

Bookmakers talkSPORT BET can't split the pair as the 4/1 joint-favourites to replace Ange Postecoglou - irrespective of how tonight's Europa League final pans out.

Tottenham's run to the final has been terrific, though a far cry from the domestic woes.

Only the three, poor relegated sides sit below them in the Premier League table ahead of the final day.

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They've lost more Premier League games (21) so far than they have had wins and draws (11, 5) COMBINED.

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL PREDICTIONS AND LATEST ODDS

Though it's also right to point out their injury record has been astonishing at times, with players forced to play out of position in what has been a hectic schedule.

Postecoglou has had to fight his corner for much of the second half of this season, though even if winning in Bilbao tonight, it would appear the writing is on the wall that he won't be here next season.

Who are the favourites for the Spurs job?

The talkSPORT BET betting markets have Oliver Glasner and Xavi (4/1) at the top of the next Spurs manager market.

Glasner's stock couldn't be higher after leading Crystal Palace to their first ever major trophy at Wembley this season.

While Xavi has remained out of work since getting the bullet as Barcelona boss at the tail-end of last season.

Scott Parker (5/1) is understood to be highly thought of in the Spurs hierarchy having guided Burnley back to the Premier League for next year and he's just ahead of Brentford boss Thomas Frank (6/1), who is destined for a really top job soon.

Frank is the same price as Francesco Farioli, who recently left Ajax after a complete collapse in the Eredivisie left them as runners-up to PSV despite holding a huge advantage in the closing weeks.

Mauricio Pochettino is 8/1 to make his return to Tottenham, just ahead of Andoni Iraola, Kieran McKenna and Roberto De Zerbi all at 10/1.

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GARY NEVILLE and other top pundits have shared their predictions for the Europa League final.

Manchester United and Tottenham do battle in Bilbao with the Red Devils the bookies' favourites to win.

Thousands of fans have descended on the city centre including pundits and club legends, who have shared their thoughts ahead of kick-off.

The likes of Neville, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes have been critical of their former side United for the majority of the season, though Spurs have also been slated after losing 21 league games this term.

Here is what pundits have had to say ahead of the final.

Gary Neville

Neville has tipped the Red Devils to bring the trophy back to Manchester.

He said: "I think United will win on Wednesday night.

"Winning the Europa League would be the silver lining around a very dark cloud. To win a trophy should never be disrespected.

"It would be a brilliant achievement to win three trophies in three years in an era when United have been really poor. But to be where they are in the league is incredible. However, I think United will win.

"I think they’ve players in there that will feel that occasion. Bruno [Fernandes], Casemiro - want it, need it in their lives. I agree with the belief. I do feel confident in United just getting through this game."

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Roy Keane

Keane echoed Neville's sentiment, suggesting United's pedigree should see them over the line.

The pundit said: "You still have to fancy United, someone like Bruno can produce, the history of Manchester United still carries a little bit of weight.

"There’s not much between them [in the league] but come the crunch, come the final, United’s history in finals, them winning cups the last few years, you’d like to think they would have a bit more knowledge around the game than Spurs.

"That might edge it for them, and I think Bruno can produce that bit of magic."

Alan Shearer

Shearer is more optimistic about Spurs' chances despite labelling Ange Postecoglou's side "rancid" and "rotten".

The legendary striker added: "My prediction is going to be 2-2 or 3-3 after extra-time and Spurs to win on penalties."

Gary Lineker

Former Tottenham star Lineker agreed with his colleague Shearer that there will be goals.

However he found it difficult to predict a winner.

In response to Shearer's comment, he replied: “Oh, he’s gone full on there, sounds like a World Cup final. I’m going to have to go for Spurs, I couldn’t not."

Shearer responded: "After 90 minutes?”

Lineker said: "Well, I’ve got this feeling that it’s the teams that have not won for ages this year.

"And I think they’re going to, I don’t know about 90 minutes or, I think it could easily go to extra-time."

Micah Richards

The final member of the Rest is Football podcast, Richards, has offered a different view to Shearer and Lineker.

He tipped a 1-0 United win, adding: "I think a lot of people have laughed off Casemiro or laughed at him for a while now.

"But I think in these competitions, sometimes it goes down to set pieces. So I’m going to say Bruno [Fernandes] assist for a Casemiro goal, one-nil."

Jamie Carragher

Carragher is another who can't look past United's stature and their knack of winning trophies - even in recent years as performances have dipped.

He said on Sky Sports: "I think United will win. Spurs have injury problems as they have had all season.

"I just think United have an ability to still win games. They beat Man City in the FA Cup final last season. The club have still got that feeling, the supporters going there.

"I think the United supporters will be going there expecting something.

"I think if Tottenham went in front United could still win, but if United go in front I couldn't see where Tottenham will find something to go and win the game."

Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: LIVE BLOG for Bilbao clash

Paul Scholes

Another United legend who backs his former side to get over the line, Scholes points out Spurs' weakness with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski absent through injury.

"There are players like Fernandes, Amad, Garnacho, Son, Solanke and Johnson who are capable of match-winning moments.

"It is more likely that a mistake rather than a bit of quality will decide the game, but with these two teams, anything can happen.

"I think without Maddison and Kulusevski, Spurs are forced to be more defensive. Those two are the best players and make the team tick and play good football.

"They both played a part and scored in Spurs’ three wins over United this season. They make a huge difference to this Spurs team and without them, they are massively weaker.

"It’s so hard to call this game. I think with Spurs missing those two key players and United having more experience in finals and winning trophies, I just favour United to get over the line."

Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand shared concerns over United's physicality, arguing it has been a problem in the Prem this campaign.

He suggests it would be foolish to write off Tottenham, saying: "I have to be honest, I can’t call a Man United result.

"They’re so inconsistent or they have consistently been bad in the Premier League. But the fact that they are playing against Spurs, another consistently bad team in the Premier League. But they have players who can win a match. It makes it such a hard game to call.

"I don’t think the fans can be too surprised (if Spurs win).

"They beat us three times already this season, so it’s not going to be a surprise if they beat us a fourth time. I think it’s only going to be stupid people that are going, 'Oh my god, I can’t believe this'."

Joe Cole

The former England star has appeared as a pundit covering the Europa League for several years so knows a thing or two about the competition.

Cole said ahead of the final: "I always like both teams to score when Tottenham are playing so I’ll be going with that again here. Can you bet on both teams to lose? No? Are we sure? How do we go about this game?

"I’m happy to go either way, but I’m going to put my neck on the line and go for Spurs in the 90 minutes – only because I’ve got some mates travelling all around the world in 80 days to get there so I want Spurs to win for them!"

Teddy Sheringham

Tottenham and United legend Sheringham is expecting it to rain goals in Bilbao because he has no faith in the defences of either side.

He declared: "I could see there being a lot of goals in the game, because neither team can defend, and neither of them want to play defensively. I see a very high-scoring, open game. I’m going to predict a 4-3 win, but I don’t know which team will edge it.

"I think either way, it’s going to be goals galore and it will be end-to-end stuff. If I was looking at this from United's point of view, then I would be looking at the weaknesses in the Tottenham defence, but as I said, United’s back four is hardly a tight ship.

"If it goes to penalties. I think the pressure will be massively on Manchester United. A shootout could really affect them mentally, with all the implications of the result."

BILBAO is bursting at the seams as thousands of boozed-up Brits bring the party to fever pitch with just hours to go until Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur face off in the Europa League final.

The all-English showdown is set to kick off imminently, and fans have turned the Basque city into a sea of red and white, with pints flying and chants echoing through the streets.

Up to 70,000 footie fans have flocked from the UK to sunny Bilbao where spirits are at an all-time high - despite some taking a 32-hour ferry ride to get there.

Now, the pint-soaked plazas and narrow cobbled lanes of the buzzing Basque capital have been transformed into a raucous festival of football, with shirtless fans belting out terrace anthems and flares lighting up the skies.

The stakes couldn’t be higher — for Spurs, it’s a shot at ending their 16-year trophy drought and silencing years of ridicule.

For United, battered by a bruising domestic campaign, this final is a last-ditch lifeline to salvage pride and bag a golden ticket back into the Champions League.

With banners flying, beers clinking, and nerves jangling, both sets of fans know this night could rewrite their season — or deepen the misery.

Bilbao bars have been flooded with Brit fans chanting and drinking ahead of the anticipated final tonight.

Both sets of supporters have been pictured marching through the streets, chanting songs with drinks in hand as they gear up for the Europa League final.

Some fans partied too hard, with a fuming Bilbao citizen seen swinging a stick at a rowdy United fan after flags were plastered on his balcony - with another Devils fan dancing on a balcony completely naked.

But despite the largely peaceful scenes, violence briefly flared between supporters in San Sebastian, around 60 miles from Bilbao, as drunk yobs exchanged punches in a side street.

Chairs, glasses and a metal table were thrown in shameful scenes after drunk opposing fans hit out.

An ugly fight also took place between two groups of supporters at a bar in the port city of Santander an hour’s drive west of Bilbao.

Footage of the punch-up at the Siboney Cafe showed a group of young Manchester United supporters goading two Spurs fans believed to be a father and son.

One stuck his middle finger up at the pair as he walked by them, leading to a brief orgy of violence.

The same group of Man United fans were also blamed for another fight shortly afterwards in a nearby bar called Tribeca.

Images show one Spurs fan playing the trumpet for gargantuan crowds, while Man United supporters hold up their beers to cheers.

Footage taken by The Sun showed fans filling the streets, with around 70,000 fans thought to have flocked to Spain - despite the stadium being at 53,000-capacity.

Some have braved an epic 32-hour-plus ferry ride which set sail at 10pm on Sunday evening and didn't arrive until this morning.

With flights to Spain rocketing over £1,000 after the Prem teams sealed their final spots, many took advantage of the cheaper sea-route option, which set them back £260 for a cabin.

The sky-high air prices are due to just six direct flights from Britain to the Basque region’s industrial port city each day.

And with only 65 hotels in Spain’s tenth largest city, accommodation has been fully-booked for weeks.

Each club has millions of fans across the globe, but since there are just 14,000 tickets allocated to each team, bagging a seat to the showpiece event has been a tricky task.

On Sunday night, precious tickets to the big game were selling on the black market for up to £10,000.

EasyJet was charging £1,823 to fly from Gatwick to Bilbao on Wednesday morning and return on Thursday morning, while the cheapest hotels for Wednesday night cost around £1,200.

But for those fans who managed to snap up the golden tickets, footage has shown them enjoying themselves.

Despite dismal Premier League seasons - United finishing 16th in the table and Spurs in 17th, perilously close to the relegation zone - die-hard supporters were emptying their bank accounts and flocking to Bilbao.

Aside from European glory, the victorious team qualifies for next season’s cash-riddled Champions League, worth a cool £100m to the club lifting the prized trophy.

The travel chaos endured by thousands of footie fans has mirrored the 1987 American road trip comedy movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles starring Steve Martin and John Candy.

Spurs fan John Affleck of Enfield, Herts., was today enjoying local delicacy pintxos - snacks on a slice of bread resembling an open sandwich - washed down with Sangria.

He told The Sun: “I flew to Madrid then got the train down. There are no hotel rooms so I'm bunking up with a pal on his hotel floor.

"The trip will cost me more than £5,000. I'm broke, but I really don't care. We just need to win."

Frank Johns, a Red Devils season ticket holder, jetted out yesterday from Heathrow via Schiphol in Amsterdam.

He said: "It has been a pitiful season but none of that will matter if we lift the trophy."

Under-fire Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou face the chop if they don’t prevail in the final - cruelly dubbed "El Crapico" by rival fans and pundits.

Amorim masterminded Manchester United’s 7-1 semi-final demolition of ten-man Athletic Bilbao.

And Postecoglou guided his Tottenham team to a 5-1 triumph over Norwegians Bodo/Glimt in the other to set up the all-English final.

Tottenham were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final, while Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final in the same year.

United beat Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final and Spurs KO’d Wolves to win the 1972 Uefa Cup.

Tottenham have already beaten the Manchester outfit on three occasions this season - twice in the league and once in the Carabao Cup.

They are looking to end a trophy drought that dates back to 2008 and has hung over the club - to the delight of opposing fans.

United meanwhile have continued to be dire in the Prem with Amorim claiming his side are "not ready" to be competitive domestically and in the Champions League.

THIS is the shocking moment a brawl erupts between Manchester United and Tottenham fans as punches get thrown ahead of the Europa League final.

Up to 70,000 Man Utd and Tottenham fans have flooded the streets of sunny Bilbao in good spirits and with drinks flowing.

But in nearby San Sebastian, the mood took a dark turn with footage surfacing on X of a fight between the two sets of supporters.

In the shocking video, a large group of football hooligans are seen brawling as they throw objects and punches at each other.

Residents alerted authorities at around 9.20pm after they witnessed violent behaviour on Fermín Calbetón Street.

Witnesses say the fight broke out when two large groups of supporters began shouting and hurling insults,

It quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl, with both Man Utd and Spurs fans grabbing whatever they could to throw at each other.

One hooligan overturned a terrace table and used it as a weapon against the other group.

Drinks and bins were also hurled, creating a chaotic scene that posed a serious risk to local businesses and passersby.

Several local police patrols rushed to the scene after reports of the brawl and quickly restored order.

No arrests have been made so far, but officers have stayed in the area to keep the situation under control.

An ambulance was also dispatched, with several people treated at the scene.

However, after further assessment, staff determined no one needed to be taken to the hospital.

It comes as tens of thousands of Brits landed in Bilbao ahead of the highly anticipated final.

Some are braving an epic 32-hour-plus ferry ride which set sail at 10pm on Sunday evening and won't arrive until 8am on Tuesday morning.

With flights to Spain rocketing over £1,000 after the Prem teams sealed their final spots, many took advantage of the cheaper sea-route option, which set them back £260 for a cabin.

The sky-high air prices are due to just six direct flights from Britain to the Basque region’s industrial port city each day.

And with only 65 hotels in Spain’s tenth largest city, accommodation has been fully booked for weeks.

Each club has millions of fans across the globe, but since there are just 14,000 tickets allocated to each team, bagging a seat to the showpiece event has been a tricky task.

Last night, precious tickets to the big game were selling on the black market for up to £10,000.

EasyJet was charging £1,823 to fly from Gatwick to Bilbao on Wednesday morning and return on Thursday morning, while the cheapest hotels for Wednesday night cost around £1,200.

But for those fans who managed to snap up the golden tickets, footage has shown them enjoying themselves.

A Bilbao bar was flooded with Brit fans chanting and drinking ahead of the anticipated final.

Spurs fans were also seen welcoming the team bus as it arrived in the city one day before the clash.

Footage taken by The Sun showed fans arriving to fill the streets of Bilbao about 40 hours before kick-off.

Both sets of supporters have been pictured marching through the streets, chanting songs with beers in hand as they gear up for the Europa League final.

MANCHESTER UNITED will be without Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez for tomorrow night's Europa League final.

Ruben Amorim's squad for the blockbuster Bilbao clash has been confirmed with De Ligt and Martinez the only two senior players missing out on a place on the plane.

Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash

De Ligt had been facing a late fitness battle to return in time for the final having picked up a knock against Brentford earlier this month.

The central defender was not thought to have suffered a serious injury, but after sitting out clashes with Athletic Club, West Ham and Chelsea, he will now be forced to miss the final too.

Meanwhile Martinez was always going to miss the European clash after a ruptured ACL injury against Crystal Palace in February.

Despite the defensive blow to Amorim's side ahead of the all-English clash, they appear to have been handed a major boost up top.

That's because Joshua Zirkzee has been named in the travelling squad, despite Amorim previously claiming the Dutch striker was out for the season.

The Portuguese manager previously said of the forward: "He’s not going to play more this season. Let’s prepare him for the next one.

"It’s tough, especially in this moment. I think he’s improving in all aspects of the game, so it’s hard for any player to stop."

Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro, who had both been considered doubts too, have also been named in the travelling squad.

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Full-back Dalot has beennursing a calf issue since the 1-0 loss to Wolves at Old Trafford on April 20.

Meanwhile Yoro suffered an injury in United's2-0 home defeat toWest Ham on May 11.

Young striker Chido Obi will also miss out on the trip due to being ineligible under Uefa rules following his switch from Arsenal in October.

Opponents Tottenham will be without a number of big hitters through injury too.

Ange Postecoglou will be unable to call on James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, with both creative outlets ruled out with knee injuries.

While Lucas Bergvall is thought to be a major doubt with an ankle ligament issue.