The Mirror

THE BIG DEBATE: Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou finished a difficult season with a flourish by winning the Europa League but it remains to be seen if we will stay at the club

For all the challenges that the past nine months have brought, Tottenham will now forever have that one night in Bilbao. And Ange Postecoglou, chastised and ridiculed for weeks in the build-up to the Europa League final, has his vindication. Because he always wins a trophy in his second season, in case you didn't know.

Brennan Johnson's priceless scuffed winner in San Mames helped Tottenham bag a golden ticket to the Champions League and the riches that come with it as Postecoglou's men hit the jackpot at Manchester United's - literal - expense.

But what next for Tottenham and Postecoglou? Yes, he has landed the club's first major trophy in 17 years but is that enough to atone for a calamitous Premier League campaign which could see the Londoners finish in 17th place?

There has already been plenty of speculation over Postecoglou's future and how the outcome of the final may or may not affect things. In the wake of Tottenham's victory, we asked the Mirror Football team whether Spurs should sack or back their boss...

Ryan Taylor

Ange deserves the chance to stay. We know Manchester United made a mistake last summer when they kept Erik ten Hag on after winning the FA Cup but ultimately, the Aussie has succeeded where Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte failed.

Additionally, you can see there's something there with Postecoglou, he has lost way too many games but there have been mitigating circumstances. I think the majority of the fan base is behind him and he's earned qualification back into the Champions League and that represents the chance to turn over a new leaf.

Now is the time to back him, get behind him and we'll see how it plays out but given the club have stood by him through thick and thin this season, I don't see why they'd now pull the trigger because their faith has now been vindicated.

I've been on the receiving end of Ange's hair dryer but I think he's a breath of fresh air, he's unique, a brilliant leader and I'm absolutely delighted to see him get Spurs over the line as Europa League winners. The man has earned the right to stay on.

Andy Dunn

Ange Postecoglou would not be the first to be sent packing after winning a trophy and would not be the last. And let’s face it, the only reason Daniel Levy would leave him in his post is as a reward for that first trophy in 17 years and for the massive Champions League windfall that is coming the club’s way.

Because in the cold light of day, there was not actually much in the performance in Bilbao - as defensively decent as it was - to suggest this is a Spurs team that can make any sort of impact in the Premier League next season.

Domestically, Postecoglou has got into a severe losing rut and the triumph in Bilbao - over a very poor Manchester United side - would seem an appropriate time to call an end to the liaison. The likeable Aussie will get a decent pay-off and a nice gig when he wants one and Spurs are now a more attractive proposition for an ambitious manager.

Nathan Ridley

I'm a big fan of Ange Postecoglou. Early last season when Erik ten Hag was on the ropes, I thought Manchester United should've gone for him. He's a leader, seems to have all the right principles and he's a winner. But his time at Tottenham is up. I can't see Daniel Levy making the same mistake as Sir Jim Ratcliffe did with Ten Hag and keeping a manager based on a cup final win.

Yes, they've been blighted by injuries and he evidently prioritised the Europa League, but the results over the last 18 months haven't been good enough and his refusal to compromise his approach in the Premier League has been Spurs' undoing. As Jamie Carragher put it in December, we all want to wear our summer clothes every day, but when it's raining, you've gotta get your coat on.

Tottenham don't have the most talented squad or are blessed with much experience, which is exactly why I don't think such a front-foot style of play is sustainable. A more pragmatic manager like Thomas Frank or Marco Silva makes sense.

As for Postecoglou, I actually think he'd stand a good chance of succeeding at a big club in Europe. Could he turn AC Milan around? Or what about RB Leipzig? Ajax would also be a good fit. He's got the strength of character to handle the pressure. Just look at the way he transformed Celtic. He can leave Spurs with huge pride and both parties can start afresh.

James Whaling

I've actually changed my mind on this in the last 24 hours. Tottenham have been hopeless in the Premier League season and, despite their injuries, finishing 17th for a club of their stature, with a points total that would have seen them relegated in multiple previous top-flight seasons, is far from good enough.

Ange Postecoglou's reaction in interviews and press conferences when being asked perfectly legitimate questions in the aftermath of some of those defeats has left a lot to be desired. And yet. And yet.

He's done what he said he would. He always wins trophies in his second season. We laughed. We scoffed. Who's laughing now? It was far from pretty, but Postecoglou set his side up with a plan and it worked to perfection.

Gareth Bale made a point that, if you don't finish in the European spots, it doesn't really matter whether it's 8th or 17th. I'm not sure I fully subscribe to that, but the sentiment is undeniable. Spurs are in the Champions League next season and finally have a trophy to their name.

The thing that may work in Ange's favour here is the backing from the players. They were desperate for him to be involved in the celebrations. And I think he's probably earned a shot at adding to his young squad with the quality an extra £100million of transfer money and the lure of Europe's top table will bring.

Tom Victor

In each of the two seasons before this, we’ve seen Premier League clubs told to dismiss their manager after a cup final victory helped paper over some cracks. In both cases they decided against it, and in both cases the manager’s time was soon up anyway.

West Ham had more reason for wanting to stick instead of twist, perhaps feeling they couldn’t lose Declan Rice and David Moyes in one summer. By the end of the following season, though, things had gone stale - even if getting the next appointment wrong has led to some Moyes revisionism in the year since.

Manchester United’s cup win was domestic rather than European, but that too earned their manager more time. Erik ten Hag was backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but that soon looked like a mistake and the Dutchman was gone by the end of October.

Sentimentality can rule after a result like this, and that’s understandable. For Spurs, though, a clean break and a chance for them and Ange Postecoglou to each start a new project could be the answer.

Mike Walters

Big Ange must stay. What are the other options? After waiting 17 years for a trophy, the great Aussie growler and Billy Joel fan has ended the longest time Spurs have had to wait for a pot since the Second World War (the piano man's fans will get that one).

And more to the point, he proved he can adapt to be a winner. Where Ruben Amorim stuck doggedly and fatally to his sacrosanct 3-4-3 shape and came a dismal cropper, Rocky Bilbao was smart enough to change his approach.

Instead of maintaining a suicidally high defensive line and getting picked off, as Spurs have been almost every week in the Premier League, Postecoglou ordered his side to sit deep, give United no space to run in behind the full-backs, and their smothering operation worked a treat.

My giddy aunt, it was tedious to watch. An absolute dog's dinner to set before the whole of Europe. But Big Ange proved he's a winner after all. If he chooses to walk, good luck to him - but who would be daft enough to sack the manager who actually won a trophy for Tottenham Hotspur? Are you there, Daniel? Daniel? Dan? Dan??!! DAN!!!!

Mark Jones

The great thing about being a football fan is that you get to be as fickle as you want to be. Great isn't it?

There are several times this season when I've thought Tottenham should sack Ange Postecoglou, stick him on a flight back to Australia and change the locks to ensure he never comes back, but can a scrappy win in Bilbao courtesy of something that resembled a try more than a goal - not that Welshmen get many of those at the moment - really change all that? Yes.

Call it overly emotional if you want, or recency bias from looking at pictures of Big Ange's big happy face over the last 12 hours, but I think I'd keep him now. That 17-year wait was an enormous burden around Tottenham's necks, and he deserves to sample N17 life with a post-trophy glow.

Don't get me wrong I'd still keep an eye on manager movements - Andoni Iraola would be a great fit for Spurs, as would Oliver Glasner - but the players clearly respect Ange, and he deserves a stay of execution.

Jeremy Cross

Ange Postecoglou is only heading in one direction - out of Tottenham. He’s done his job in one sense, by winning a first trophy for the club in 17 years. But he’s failed in another, spectacularly.

Tottenham have lost 21 league games this season, and no Europa League triumph should be allowed to mask this. But it’s a win-win scenario.

Tottenham get the silverware they’ve craved so long, and Big Ange gets a pay off with the prospect of landing another top job.

David McDonnell

Winning the Europa League should not alter the Tottenham hierarchy’s thinking when it comes to jettisoning Ange Postecoglou at the end of the season. Manchester United made that mistake last summer, keeping Erik ten Hag after his unlikely FA Cup final win over Manchester City, only to sack him a couple of months into the new season.

Despite the momentous and historic win over United in Bilbao, there is no getting away from the fact this has been a calamitous season on the domestic front for Spurs. A whopping 21 defeats has left them languishing one place above the relegation zone and a European trophy cannot make up for such an abject failure, however memorable for Spurs fans and profitable for the club.

So it is the right decision to part ways with Postecoglou, who can leave with his bruised reputation somewhat restored, having left his successor - whoever that may be - a squad in need of an overhaul, but one with a Champions League campaign, with the revenue from that to help fund the rebuild.

Alex Richards

If this was the end, then what a way to go out. And certainly, after Brennan Johnson's comment about a 'mic drop' and the tears in the big Aussie's eyes, it seemed like the Europa League final was Ange Postecoglou's final hurrah as Spurs boss. But he continued to insist that he wants to keep building and keep working with his young side.

We can take his claims about prioritising the Europa League since January with a pinch of salt - that should not be a reason for them being so bad in the Premier league - yet at the end of the day, he's given Spurs fans the silverware they crave and taken the club back into the Champions League, the place Daniel Levy hired him to take them. So it's fair to say he's pretty much given everyone associated with the club what they had been hoping for.

The Premier League campaign has been dismal, he knows that, the players know that, everyone knows that. But that, coupled with European success, may just make this group stronger, tougher, harder in the coming years.

Spurs have hired and fired 'winners' before. The problem was, while many flattered to deceive, none actually won anything in North London. Now Postecoglou has. If he wants it, Levy should now come out, back him emphatically in public, and let's see if Spurs can kick on under him.

Sack him, and it's just a case of going back to the drawing board.

Daniel Marsh

It feels like we've been here before, doesn't it? Only last time it was Manchester United with that dilemma after winning the FA Cup with the beleaguered Erik ten Hag. He was given the grace to go on and well, things did not end well.

So is that worth bearing in mind with Ange Postecoglou? Yes and no. He's looked completely broken at times this season and there is no getting away from the fact that Spurs have been a shambles in the Premier League, to the extent that if there three more half decent teams in the league then they and United could be heading into this weekend with top-flight safety on the line.

But alas, they are not. And he has delivered the thing Spurs fans have craved above anything else: a trophy. I'm on the fence; if Postecoglou wants to stay, he should be backed with the riches that Champions League qualification brings. If he wants to leave with his head held high, then that would also make sense.

But given the main criticism of Postecoglou has been the lack of a Plan B, after watching him forgo his principles in order to clinch a priceless if ugly victory in Bilbao, I would be leaning towards the former if I was Mr.Levy.

Tottenham Hotspur's 17-year trophy drought is over after Spurs emerged victorious from the battle of the Premier League underachievers in Bilbao.

Brennan Johnson smuggled the ball over the line three minutes before half-time for the only goal of a desperately poor Europa League final, in which Manchester United failed to inspire.

The closest Ruben Amorim's side came to a goal was through a Rasmus Hojlund header which was superbly cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven, who stood tall as Spurs delivered a trophy to the delight of their often-criticised manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian wore a delighted grin as he lived up to his promise of winning a trophy in his second season and earned Champions League qualification, with United left crestfallen and without European football of any kind next season.

There was a fairly frantic feel to the opening proceedings in Bilbao, where the do-or-die nature of the game - a match which would serve as a season-saver for the winner, and condemn the loser to one of their worst campaigns in living memory - was leading the sides 16th and 17th in the Premier League toward a somewhat manic approach.

Johnson was denied by Andre Onana from a tight angle, before the Welshman's team-mate Richarlison had a shot blocked.

At the other end Guglielmo Vicario flapped at a Bruno Fernandes corner, with Amad Diallo picking up the loose ball and flashing a fierce drive across the face of goal and beyond the United attackers.

That early promise then largely disappeared from the game though, and it became bogged down in a deep lack of quality full of errors on both sides. Hopes for a goal centred on either a piece of inspiration or a mistake, and three minutes before half-time the latter arrived.

Fernandes gave the ball away to Pape Sarr, and after the Senegalese briefly loaned it to Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur he swung in a cross towards the darting Johnson, who swiped and flailed at it just enough to discomfort Shaw.

The ball struck the United defender's arm and dropped towards goal, seemingly via the faintest touch from Johnson, with Onana unable to claw it away. Goal. Not the prettiest one you've ever seen in a European final, but Spurs didn't care.

They had something to hold on to now, but while they would have perhaps expected an onslaught at the start of the second half one never really arrived. Attempts to progress the ball ended up being stifled by the hard-working Spurs midfield and wide players, and the game remained scrappy beyond the hour mark.

United weren't creating anything, and indeed their most dangerous outlet was proving to be Vicario. The Spurs goalkeeper got in a muddle with Dominic Solanke from a Fernandes free-kick, but Hojlund's goalbound header was acrobatically and brilliantly cleared off the line by Van de Ven.

Ruben Amorim eventually turned to his bench to introduce Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho, and suddenly there was a greater threat going forward. Fernandes headed just wide and you knew more chances were coming.

Garnacho brought a sharp stop from Vicario but it was all so poor from United, and as Harry Maguire moved into the centre-forward position as an act of desperation, Vicario saved well late on from Luke Shaw.

Spurs eventually emerged as winners of the slugfest, and will quickly forget just how they did it.

Football fans watching the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on Discovery Plus were left frustrated by buffering during the first half of the game. Viewers were able to watch the final for free, as has been the case in previous years, but some encountered problems.

"Anyone else experiencing buffering on the Europa final on Discovery Plus," one asked. "Had to make a Discovery plus account to watch the final and the stream drops in quality every 2 minutes," wrote another on social media.

"This stream on Discovery plus is utterly woeful what are they using dial up?" asked a third. "This game is unwatchable on the discovery plus app. Constant buffering for me," was the complaint from yet another viewer.

On the field, it took a while for the teams to get a real sight of goal. Just as the half-time whistle drew closer, though, Spurs got their noses in front.

The opener was a scrappy affair. Brennan Johnson didn't get the cleanest of touches on Pape Sarr's ball in from the left, but the ball struck Luke Shaw and crept beyond Andre Onana into te net.

"The game did need a goal," former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It wasn't pretty, it was scrappy, but those Tottenham fans won't mind."

Speaking on TNT Sports at the break, former Spurs star Gareth Bale said: "For a Spurs fan it doesn't matter. I think Spurs have probably been the better team in the first half, pressured them very high, but... it's important to get that first goal because I feel like the pressure was good but you need something to back that up."

Fellow pundit and former United defender Rio Ferdinand wasn't impressed with his old team's defending. "It was poor, [Patrick] Dorgu, at no point in this does he talk to Luke Shaw," he said.

"You always need that help. Maybe it's inexperience here but he doesn't let him know. By the time he realises and sees the white shirts flashing, it's too late and the ball ends up in the back of the net.

"I always say the defender furthest away is your talker, he's your eyes and ears. He has to signal to all the other players - scream, push, whatever - and let them know players are running across them. He didn't do that and they got punished.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will face off in Bilbao in the Europa League final, with millions of pounds on the line along with significant bragging rights

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have plenty on the line when they face off in Bilbao. The Europa League trophy is enough of an incentive itself, while Champions League qualification will be a welcome bonus, but the prize money isn't too bad either.

Both teams navigated the new league phase, finishing in the top eight to avoid an extra play-off round. Both were also put to the test during the knockout rounds, but reached the final after home-and-away victories against Athletic Club and Bodo/Glimt respectively in the semis.

According to official UEFA figures, the two finalists are each guaranteed a little over £5.9million just for making it to Bilbao. They'll nearly double it with a win, though, with an extra £5.06m going to whoever comes out on top at San Mames.

That's about half of what the Champions League winners will earn. Whichever of Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain wins that tournament will receive £21.1m, compared to just shy of £11m for the Europa League winners.

Those numbers are just for the knockout runs, with all 36 teams in the Europa League's league phase entitled to £3.63m as well as further payouts based on results. A reward of around £380,000 per win and £126,500 per draw means both United and Spurs earned seven-figure sums for their league phase performances.

That's only part of the story, though. Due to the two teams' lowly Premier League positions, neither will be in Europe next season unless they win at San Mames.

The winners will scoop an estimated £100m for making it into the Champions League, with a chance to boost that total even more by reaching the latter stages of that tournament next season. And United boss Ruben Amorim has sent a message to the fans and to his players ahead of the game.

“It’s hard. It’s not enough, winning the Europa League. It’s not enough for all the support the fans gave us this season," Amorim said. “But we’re really excited for the final. It's really important, massive for us, and we want to give that to our fans.

“I feel it's a mixed feeling. I'm really excited but, at the same time, I know my responsibility as Manchester United coach. I have always that feeling of frustration for the season, so I want really badly to help the team win this final. We've got to give something to the club, to the fans, to the staff, to everybody.”

The stakes are high for under-pressure managers Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou ahead of the Europa League final in Bilbao between Manchester United and Tottenham

Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou have been told that even victory in the Europa League final might not be enough to save their jobs. The two under-pressure managers lead Manchester United and Tottenham in the high stakes match in Bilbao on Wednesday evening knowing the game will define their seasons.

Both teams have endured a miserable season in the Premier League, with United 16th and Spurs 17th, making victory in the Basque Country vital. As well as giving their fans something to cheer, a win would automatically guarantee a place in the 2025/26 Champions League – a significant factor financially and in terms of attracting new players this summer.

Spurs have not lifted a trophy since the League Cup in 2008, while Amorim knows victory would significantly alter the perception of his debut campaign, having failed to make an impact since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November.

It is an intriguing backdrop to the match at the San Mames Stadium, but former Tottenham midfielder Steffen Freund thinks the result may be a moot point. The German believes that, realistically, the decisions of those in power won’t be swayed by 90 minutes.

“I have to answer in a way how the business is,” he told Sky Sports News when asked about Postecoglou losing his job. “I think in the end maybe it doesn’t matter how they play today – the Premier League is the most important for the supporters and both teams are 16th and 17th, which is the worst season for both teams.

“So I think maybe both coaches will go after the game. I don’t like that, but think about Man United: most of the coaches have been sacked – [Louis] van Gaal after an FA Cup win, [Erik] ten Hag after an FA Cup win – so that’s how it is in the football business. And as a coach, I would love to see both coaches keep going.”

There have been widespread reports that Postecoglou could be sacked by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, regardless of whether he comes good on his promise to win silverware in his second season. The Australian was combative in his pre-match press conference, pushing back against a journalist who suggested that he would be perceived as a “clown” if he loses.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Could both managers be sacked? Comment below.

He has tried to play down the importance of the occasion, but Spurs veteran Son Heung-min knows what victory would mean. “It’s going to be a huge, huge moment for both of us and also for the boys if we win it,” the Spurs skipper said.

“As we always say, the first step is going to be really hard, but if you win that trophy, we can change the mentality, we can change the history and hopefully we can continue to compete for another trophy.”

Gazza shares prediction

Paul Gascoigne is backing former club Tottenham to win their Europa League final with Manchester United.

But the England legend is worried Spurs rely on Son too much, especially in the wake of the club's decision to sell Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.

Gazza told ESportsInsider.com: "Well, it's hard to call the winner because they've both been bad this season.

"They’ve not done anything, not won anything and it will be a right battle out there. Both teams are capable of winning.

"I don’t know though, I hope Tottenham will win, but Manchester United are a strong team as well.

"I just look at the front line. I think to myself, who's going to score the goals? And since Spurs sold (Harry) Kane, they're relying a hell of a lot on Son.

"And Son will be feeling it. I think the pressure is showing when you follow in someone's footsteps like Kane.

"But he's doing well. I like Son as a player. He puts so much effort in and work rate, so it's good."

Ex-Man Utd hero predicts Spurs win...

Gordon Strachan hasn't made the trip here to Bilbao to watch the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham.

Which might be a good thing for him, considering Strachan has tipped Spurs to beat his former club in the crunch showdown. Strachan, who made 160 league appearances for United during the 1980s, told Beste Online Casino Nederland:

"I'd obviously like to see Manchester United win the Europa League because they're my old team. But I have a close affinity with Ange Postecoglou, being a fellow ex-Celtic boss!

"If Ange does leave Tottenham, he’ll leave the fans with memories of some wonderful games and goals, and it’s not often you can say that about a manager in the Premier League. He won’t be forgotten.

"I don't think many people have a clue how this final is going to turn out. I don't think it will be a 1-0 to either team. These clubs are incapable of that. I also don’t think it will go to extra-time, it will be decided in 90 minutes.

"Tottenham will come out of the blocks fast. My prediction is 3-2 to Spurs, and Ange to win a trophy in his second season!"

BREAKING: Fergie's en route!

ManchesterUnited have confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson is jetting to Bilbao to cheer on his favourite football club tonight.

Fergie led United to numerous European triumphs during his glorious managerial career at Old Trafford. These included winning the Champions League title, most famously in 1999 and then again in 2008 in Moscow.

But back then winning was part of the club's DNA, unlike these modern times.

Yet given what is at stake in this seismic clash with Tottenham, no-one will be more aware than Fergie just how vital it is United emerge triumphant.

And the Scot, who is expected to arrive in Bilbao in the next two hours, will be hoping it won't be 'squeaky bum time' in the San Mames Stadium.

Mainoo enjoys 'influence'

Kobbie Mainoo is not expected to have much of a say in tonight's proceedings in Bilbao.

But despite the England midfielder having to settle for a place on the Manchester United bench, he can at least boast more power and influence elsewhere.

A study had revealed Mainoo is now the fourth most influential footballer in Europe.

And the highest-ranked Premier League star, according to the findings.

The survey has factored in such things as potential Instagram earnings, Instagram follower increase over one and three-year periods, the number of authentic followers and Instagram engagement.

How the life of a footballer has changed.

Tension building

The tension is building in Bilbao for Man United and Spurs fans ahead of tonight’s Europa League final.

Supporters of both teams are mingling together throughout the city centre exchanging good natured chants, banter and insults, as they pack the local bars.

Thousands of United fans have taken over the picturesque Plaza Nueva square - hoofing footballs into the air and setting off red flares - as they down pint after pint.

Dozens of flags and banners have been hung from the scaffolding around the square as the Red Army enjoys the party atmosphere.

Ryan Tunicliffe, from Middleton, Manchester, arrived on Tuesday night via Amsterdam. He said: “It’s fantastic, everyone is having a great time. I think it’ll be a close game, both teams have been cr*p all year. But as the saying goes, ‘Lads, it’s Tottenham.”

His pal Mark Leigh said: “United will do it. They’ve been sh*t in the league but really good in Europe. We’re going to have a couple more and head off to the stadium.”

United's hotel woe

Manchester United haven't had it all their own way on their second trip to Bilbao in three weeks.

When United beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the San Mames Stadium in the first leg of their semi-final three weeks ago, Ruben Amorim and his players stayed in a Melia Hotel near the city's Guggenheim Museum.

They wanted to stay there again, given the players loved it there and the way the result went in in Bilbao, but UEFA delegates hotels for the finalists in the Europa League, with the United forced to stay elsewhere.

Although they managed to book some rooms at the Melia for some staff, as well as another one just outside Bilbao, for guests and VIPs.

Tottenham are staying at The Carlton, a plush city centre hotel, which was used as a base by Athletic Bilbao before their semi-final first leg against United.

A celebratory air... not quite

Considering how bad these two sides have been for the most part, it's unsurprising that few fans in Bilbao are confident about tonight.

OK there's some United fans who think their name is on the trophy.

But Spurs fans are there much more in hope than expectation. They might have beaten United three times already this season, but so bad have the been in the past nine months, few are predicting victory with any sort of confidence.

Punters back Man Utd

It remains to be seen if the smart money is on Manchester United or Tottenham for tonight's Europa League showdown in Bilbao.

But most of it is being placed on United.

Most punters are struggling to call the game, not least because of how bad these two English rivals have been this season.

Yet when it comes to the betting market, United are attracting the bulk of the interest.

William Hill spokesman Lee Phelps said: "The highly-anticipated Europa League final between Manchester United and Spurs is upon us, and while many are struggling to call the game, it’s been one-way traffic in the betting for Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils.

"United are favourites to win the tie in 90 minutes at 13/10. We have seen three times the amount of stakes on Amorim's side in this market, compared to money placed on Spurs."

Man Utd feeling "very confident"

The mood within the Manchester United camp ahead of tonight's all-or-nothing Europa League final showdown with Tottenham is "very confident" - according to sources close to the squad.

There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but those who have been with Ruben Amorim and his players at the United team hotel in Bilbao this morning say the mood is upbeat and there is a a real sense of confidence among the players and staff that they can get the job done tonight and lift the trophy - and with it a ticket to next season's Champions League, which is worth up to £100million in revenue.

'Leaked' Lineups

There's been a lot of chatter, as expected, on the starting lineups of each side tonight.

From a Spurs POV, it's centres around whether Son starts ahead of Richarlison, the two in the heart of midfield and whether James Maddison - having travelled to Bilbao - is actually able to play any part.

For United it's more focused on defence and where Ruben Amorim places his trust with Matthijs de Ligt having been ruled out and if it'll be Amad or Alejandro Garnacho in one of the three attacking positions. Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are back fit again and have been pushing to start.

There are growing suggestions that this is how each side will line up this evening.

Man Utd: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund.

Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son.

Shearer tips Spurs win

Alan Shearer is backing Tottenham to beat Manchester United and end their trophy drought.

"This match is pretty impossible to predict when you look at how bad both teams have been," Shearer told Betfair. "Spurs have done really well against Man United this season, so due to their record against them I'd say Spurs may be slight favourites.

"There are more negatives than positives for both teams when you look at them. I really haven't got a clue what to expect or what teams will turn up. It's a bit of a flip of a coin and it'll be a disaster for whoever doesn't win.

"Given what’s at stake for both clubs, it could have an impact on the game. There's so much relying on both teams, managers and both clubs' short-term futures. There's no exaggeration that both teams need an injection of five or six players to try and compete again and that's why the stakes of this game are enormous.

"Just because of their record over the last five or six games against them, and particularly this season, I'll go for a Spurs win. It wouldn't surprise me if the game goes all the way to penalties, but I'll go for Spurs to win in normal time."

Maguire makes "inconsistent" admission

Harry Maguire has admitted Manchester United have fallen well below the standard expected of them this season, with Ruben Amorim's side down in 16th place in the Premier League.

Maguire said: "This season we've been far too inconsistent. We haven't won enough in the Premier League, it's not been good enough and we know that. The Europa League has been different, we've performed at a high level.

"I'm sure next season we will improve an awful amount, with a full pre-season and as players we're looking forward to that. But we've got a big game here and that's first and foremost. It's a special night, a special occasion and we've prepared well the last few days and it's one we're looking forward to."

Rooney makes Sister Act confession

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has told fans how he watched Sister Act as he prepared for his European final in 2008.

Appearing at the United fanzone in Bilbao Rooney also backed his old team to beat Spurs tonight so the fans can enjoy a few “bevvies”. Thousands have attended the zone in a park above the city as Rooney went on stage with fellow aces Wes Brown, Andy Cole and Denis Irwin.

He told the cheering crowd: “I remember the final in 2008, I went in the room and watched Sister Act.” He added: “It’s so good to be here, I hope the lads tonight give everyone the chance to go and get a few bevvies and enjoy the night.”

When asked how many goals he would score in this current United side he said: “I would like to think me and Coley would have scored more than the forwards have this season.

“It’s been a tough season, difficult to watch. But to have the opportunity to win a European trophy and get back in the Champions League, I hope they can get the club back to where it needs to be.”

Wes Brown told the United fans: “I was out late last night - let’s hope I can go out late tonight.”

Fans sleeping on park benches

Manchester United fans have revealed the various lengths they've gone to in order to be in Bilbao for the Europa League final. United will face Tottenham on Wednesday night at the San Mames Stadium.

With Bilbao relatively isolated in the Basque Country, hotel and flight prices have skyrocketed ever since United and Spurs booked their places in the final. That has forced fans to either fork out massive prices for hotels or get creative.

Some have plumped for hostels, with one fan tweeting: "€450 to stay in a 10 bed prison cell for 2 nights. Bilbao is well and truly on." Others have bitten the bullet and paid out for hotels, with one saying: "Made it to my hotel in Bilbao. €950 for two nights. Asked how much it would have been without the football. €150 she said, apologetically."

‌One three-star hotel in Bilbao is selling rooms for £4000 per night, a huge increase on normal days. Given those massive prices, some supporters have even taken to sleeping on park benches in Bilbao.

One man shared a photo of himself lying on a bench in the Spanish city, with the caption: "There’ll be thousands of reds, without any beds. Park bench for the night in Bilbao it is."

Amorim makes "not a big thing" claim

Ruben Amorim has claimed Manchester United winning the Europa League "is not a big thing" as he calmed the excitement around possibly lifting the trophy in Bilbao on Wednesday night.

He told CBS Sports : "If you win the Europa League in Manchester United, I'm sorry, it is not a big thing. You need to go for Premier League and the Champions League - and we are so far away. That is my feeling. Of course it would be a title, a European title, but it is not enough."

Klinsmann shares prediction

Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann believes the Europa League Final could be the game that makes or breaks Ange Postecoglou. Spurs face Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday night with a place in next season’s Champions League up for grabs.

Both Postecoglou and Reds’ boss Ruben Amorim will finish the Premier League campaign in the lower reaches of the table after suffering defeats at Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively on Friday night.

‌And Klinsmann said: "It’s such an interesting game because both clubs have been so disappointing in the Premier League this season. Of course it is an important moment for both clubs because there is a place in the Champions League for the winners.

‌"But it is also a huge game for both managers - and especially Ange. I think Amorim will be given more time to establish his own team at United, but for Postecoglou it is clear that he is in a completely different position at the end of his second year.

"If he wins the Europa League then I hope it will buy him more time to get things right because I know that Spurs is such a fantastic club. There is so much on the line in this final and because the teams have been so inconsistent, it’s impossible to predict what would happen."

Dominos take dig at Spurs

Dominos have taken a dig at Tottenham ahead of the final by unveiling a live billboard outside the club's stadium that highlights how many pizzas they have delivered since Spurs last won a trophy.

"We’re not taking sides but if Spurs deliver in Bilbao we’ll happily reset the counter to zero," Domino's Sports Specialist Izzy Gardener said. "At Domino’s, we always deliver – now it’s their turn to do the same in the final. And of course, all eyes are on Ange… no pressure, mate."

Teddy Sheringham's prediction

The former Manchester United and Spurs star has made his prediction ahead of tonight's clash in the Basque country.

Here's what he reckons will go down....

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 Man 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. Whoever can be more solid at the back will have an advantage and it might come down to which team makes fewer mistakes, because both sides have got a rick in them.

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.

Sheringham was speaking to Prime Casino.

Amorim adamant!

Ruben Amorim is adamant he prepared for the Europa League final the right way by playing strong teams, rather than resting players ahead of Manchester United's showdown with Tottenham.

Amorim played a near full-strength side in United's last game, a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, while Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou rested most of his first-choice selection for their 2-0 loss at Aston Villa.

Asked if that gave Spurs an advantage over United ahead of their meeting in Bilbao, Amorim said:

“An advantage? I don't know. But you have to see the context. I don't know the context of Tottenham, but what I know is we had the last Europa League game against Athletic Bilbao.

“We had that game and then we rested some players, because we were afraid of some injuries. Then we had a full week to prepare for the game. I felt, with five days to the final, the best thing to prepare for the final was to give time to the players to play.

"So I cannot respond from Tottenham's side, but for me it was really clear.

“We need to compete and the best way to prepare for something is to compete and I had that feeling.

"I pushed the players against West Ham in the end of the game and I felt that against Chelsea we should show something, to prove that when we are focused and when we play our game, we can control any game in any place. So it was a good day to compete to prepare for the final. That was the idea.”

ANALYSIS: Can United end on a high?

According to the bookmakers, in this battle of the Premier League's most miserable this season (excluding the relegated teams, obviously), United are favourites tonight.

That's despite being turned over three times by Spurs already this term.

Ruben Amorim's men have been awful in the league and he's only seen things get worse since replacing Erik ten Hag. But this European run has earned him some credit with fans. If he wins tonight and they enter next season's Champions League, it WILL have saved their season - and give him more time to build and get his ideas across.

Certainly, the United camp was much more relaxed than Spurs after arriving on Tuesday.

Keane lands new job

Manchester United legend Roy Keane will be making his punditry debut for a new broadcaster at the Europa League final. Keane is a regular pundit for both Sky Sports and ITV Sport, but he will be working for a different broadcaster for the final.

CBS Sports have announced that he will be part of their punditry team alongside regulars Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, while Anita Jones will be presenting the US broadcaster's coverage.

Fellow United legend Peter Schmeichel will also be working for CBS as a pitchside reporter along with Guillem Balague. Former referee Christina Unkel is also set to offer her expertise, while Clive Tyldesley and ex-England goalkeeper Rob Green will be on commentary duty.

Man Utd and Spurs fans brawl

Footage has emerged showing Manchester United and Tottenham fans brawling ahead of the Europa League final.

In the footage, supporters can be seen throwing punches and objects at each other in San Sebastian. According to the Sun, authorities were alerted at around 9.20pm after residents on Fermín Calbetón Street witnessed the violence.

It is claimed the fight began when two groups of fans began 'shouting and hurling insults' and that it 'quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl'.

Ferdinand shares concerns

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand fears the team could struggle physically against Tottenham in the Europa League final, admitting that Ruben Amorim's men "can't keep up with any team in the Premier League". The Red Devils have flown out to Bilbao hoping to finish their awful season with silverware, with Spurs standing in their way.

And Ferdinand worries that his old team lack the pace and physicality of their Premier League rivals, arguing that they have performed well in Europe this season because they are yet to come up against an English team.

"The worrying thing for me from a Man United perspective is that physically we can’t keep up with any team in the Premier League,' he said, speaking to talkSPORT. "If they go man-to-man and go toe-to-toe with us we’re at a disadvantage because our profile of our players at Man United are not players that can run as hard and as fast, and as long, and they’re not as powerful as other teams.

"That’s a big thing in the Premier League. In the Europa, we’re overpowering every team. There’s only one team I’ve watched us play against in the Europa League that we struggled against and thought 'Ooh, that was a bit too close for comfort'. Rangers, who are more akin to a Premier League side, physically. So that’s the concern for me in the final playing against a Premier League team, who have beaten us three times, that physically can, minimum, match us."

Manchester United's game against Tottenham in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night will be available to watch for free online, via the Discovery+ app

Manchester United take on Tottenham in an all-Premier League affair in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night. The stakes are high for both clubs, who can end the season with silverware, despite enduring miserable domestic campaigns.

With just one game remaining, United sit 16th in the Premier League, a place better off than Spurs. Both Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou are under huge pressure to deliver in the Basque Country, having failed to meet expectations in the Premier League.

The winner of tonight's match will earn a place in the 2025/26 Champions League - a considerable prize, both in financial terms and in attracting a higher calibre of player this summer.

The pressure has been evident in the build-up, with Postecoglou clashing with reporters in his pre-match press conference over suggestions defeat will make him a "clown".

Tottenham have the chance to win a first trophy since 2008 and continue Postecoglou's personal run of lifting a trophy in his second season.

Meanwhile, United can win the Europa League for the second time, having secured it back in 2016/17, and make it trophies in successive seasons, following their FA Cup victory in 2024.

Thousands of supporters have made their way over to northern Spain for the clash, which will take place at Athletic Club's San Mames Stadium, while millions will be watching at home on TV around the world. You can join them, for free, by following the instructions below.

How to watch Man Utd vs Tottenham for free

As usual for Europa League matches, it will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 or TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 6pm BST and kick-off at 8pm.

However, you will need a subscription to TNT Sports to watch that broadcast, which will be fronted by pundits Gareth Bale, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Glenn Hoddle, with Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist on commentary duties.

Subscribers via Discovery+ Premium, EE, Sky or Virgin Media TV can also take in all the build-up and in-game coverage. Prime Video customers with the basic Discovery+ account will be able to watch the Uefa finals on the Prime Video app.

For those who don't already have any of those subscriptions, there is a way to watch tonight's game. That's because a live stream is being made available for free on the Discovery+ app.

All you need to do is download the Discovery+ app and register your details - and you don't even need to sign up for a subscription.

Manchester United take on Spurs in a make-or-break Europa League final clash in Bilbao on Wednesday evening but the Red Devils are going to sport a slightly new look for the game

Manchester United have been forced to change their traditional kit before the Europa League final. The Red Devils take on Premier League rivals Spurs in Bilbao on Wednesday evening.

The match gives Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou the chance to claim silverware at the end of difficult seasons, while the victor will also claim a spot in next season’s Champions League. Each side have already arrived in Spain ahead of Wednesday evening’s game.

But United will have a slightly unfamiliar look when they take to the pitch at San Mames. It has been announced that Amorim’s side will wear black shorts - as opposed to their traditional white - alongside their famous red shirts and black socks.

That is down to Spurs’ 64-year long European tradition. The North London side have worn all white in Europe since 1961, a tradition adopted by former boss Bill Nicholson.

And with Spurs being dubbed as the ‘home’ team for the game, their kit choice takes precedence over United’s. The reason behind Spurs’ all-white kit tradition began over six decades ago, with Nicholson attempting to increase visibility for his players in stadiums not having the best lighting facilities.

It began in an away game to Polish side Gornik. “We just turned up in the dressing room for the game and there was the all-white kit,” former Spurs star Cliff Jones said. “No-one said anything; nothing was said to us. We just focused on the game coming up.”

Ricky George, a young apprentice at the time, added: “The all-white kit was for visibility. It was Bill Nick’s way of looking for those marginal gains. Those nights at White Hart Lane, under the lights, were just very special.”

“We loved playing in all-white,” Jones said. “I honestly cannot say for certain it made any difference in making us see each other better under the floodlights, but we did love playing in it. European nights we felt fresher, the air was different.”

Who will win the Europa League? Share your predictions in the comments below

The Europa League final is not the first time that United have opted for a slight kit change during the season. They also wore black shorts during their away trip to Real Sociedad back in March - a game that ended 1-1 after goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mikel Oyarzabal.

They however returned to their more traditional white shorts during the home leg at Old Trafford - a match the Red Devils won 4-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Bruno Fernandes. Regardless of the kit they wear, United will be desperate to win the final and with it, seal their return to the Champions League.

Manchester United and Tottenham come into the Europa League final with poor defensive records and Teddy Sheringham thinks that will spell plenty of goals at both ends

Teddy Sheringham is expecting it to rain goals in Bilbao because he has no faith in the defences of Manchester United or Tottenham. The under-performing Premier League sides meet in the Europa League final on Wednesday night for a showdown with huge stakes.

With United 16th in the Premier League and on an eight-game winless run domestically and Spurs 17th and without a win in six in the league, it is a final of two out-of-form teams. But while they have disappointed in the league, both have made it to the final of Europe’s second-tier competition and are eyeing silverware.

The fact the winner will earn a place in next season’s Champions League has heightened the tension, while Tottenham have the added pressure of going for a first trophy since 2008. Picking a winner from two teams who have lacked consistency and confidence all season is difficult and Sheringham is only sure of one thing.

“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,” the former United and Spurs striker told Prime Casino.

“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 Man 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.

“Whoever can be more solid at the back will have an advantage and it might come down to which team makes fewer mistakes, because both sides have got a rick in them.

“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.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with Teddy Sheringham? Share your prediction in the comments section.

Pressure will be one of the key factors, with both managers feeling the heat at the end of largely miserable campaigns. Ruben Amorim has underwhelmed since taking the reins from Erik ten Hag in November, while Ange Postecoglou has become increasingly embattled in recent months.

The Spurs boss made headlines in the build-up by taking issue with a reporter’s characterisation of him as a ‘clown’. “I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I'm not a clown and never will be,” he said in his press conference.

"You really disappointed me that you used such terminology to describe a person that for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he is leading out a club in a European final. For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I'm a clown, I'm not sure how to answer that question."

Brawls broke out in the Basque country ahead of Wednesday night's Europa League Final between Tottenham and Manchester United fans

The Basque regional police force confirmed this morning it made no arrests yesterday despite incidents involving Manchester United and Tottenham fans. An ugly brawl erupted between the two sets of supporters in San Sebastian ahead of tonight’s Europa League final in nearby Bilbao.

They were filmed squaring up to each other before hurling missiles including glasses and wheelie bins in a spat that started just before 9.30pm in San Sebastian’s Old Town. Several fans are said to have been identified by the Ertzaintza, the Basque Country’s police force.

But a spokesman for the force confirmed this morning no arrests had been made in either San Sebastian or Bilbao, where boisterous Spurs fans were seen destroying two traffic lights yesterday afternoon.

He said: “In relation to the incidents arising out of the celebration of the Europa League final we have no information on any serious occurrences. No-one has been seriously injured and there have been no arrests so far.

“It’s true there was a fight in San Sebastian’s Old Town which started for reasons that are still being investigated and which involved the throwing of missiles by two rival groups. But that incident didn’t lead to any arrests.”

Bilbao City Hall, which employs officers who belong to a municipal police force which is a separate force to the Ertzaintza and is also responsible for policing the Europa League event, was unable to say early this morning whether its agents had made any arrests.

As well as last night’s incidents in San Sebastian, an ugly fight took place yesterday 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 which took a turn for the worse when a second older man thought to be related to one of the youngsters who had been goading the Spurs supporters got involved.

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

A spokesman for the National Police in Cantabria, which covers Santander, confirmed today: “We responded to the incident at Siboney Cafe but when officers reached the scene there was nothing and none of those involved in the fight were present.

“We haven’t received any formal complaint from anyone and we’re not aware anyone was seriously injured in the incident.

“Last night was very quiet in Santander with no arrests linked to disturbances arising out of the Europa League celebrations to report.”