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The winner of Wednesday's Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United could receive up to £54.4m.

That figure is a combination of prize money for winning the competition and for reaching the league phase for the 2025-26 Champions League.

Spurs or United would be guaranteed about £21m, with additional prize money awarded based on league position and for victories and draws.

The figure of £54.4m does not include prize money earned beyond the Champions League's last 16.

United have already earned £26.6m for their success in Europe's second-tier competition this season, while Tottenham's total prize money so far is about £26.5m.

The slight difference comes as United drew one more match than Tottenham and finished one place above them in the league phase.

Included in the money both clubs have already won, Spurs and United received £5.9m each for reaching the final.

Of the guaranteed £21m at stake in the Europa League final, just over £5m of that is simply for winning the competition.

The remainder is for securing qualification into the league phase of next season's Champions League.

Should the winner enter next season's Champions League and lose all eight league games, their prize money will not increase much higher than the £15.9m qualification prize.

What is more likely is the winning team would go on to win or draw league matches, which are all incentivised.

There are also bonuses based on league position and for every round after the league phase which a club reaches.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

The Europa League final takes place on Wednesday as Tottenham face fellow Premier League side Manchester United in Bilbao.

Both teams have had poor campaigns domestically but one will ensure they finish it with a trophy and secure Champions League football for next season.

We want to know who you would pick in a combined Tottenham and Manchester United XI.

Pick your side below and share it with your friends on social media.

When those who know Djed Spence well talk about his unusual career pathway, one word comes up more than any other - "relaxed".

And if you watch clips of Spence being interviewed by Rio Ferdinand on Rio Ferdinand's Five podcast, external, wearing large dark sunglasses and speaking softly with long pauses before and during his answers, it seems a description that makes sense.

But has the Tottenham defender's apparently laid-back outlook on life held him back? After all a series of experienced managers have overlooked the 24-year-old, including current Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou until an injury crisis appeared to force his hand.

Spence thinks not. Instead he celebrates his faith and praises the virtue of being patient with Instagram posts including phrases such as "All things take time".

In February, after scoring his first Premier League goal in Spurs' win at Ipswich, Spence wrote on X, external: "A kid who had the wildest dreams to play in the Premier League. A kid who had the wildest dreams to score in the Premier League. That dream came true. NEVER stop believing in your dreams and trust in God."

Amid a chaotic season at Spurs, a player previously on the fringes has emerged as a key asset. BBC Sport traces his unusual journey to becoming a fan favourite.

Before 15 December, Spence had played just 64 minutes of Premier League football this season. Since, he has completed 90 minutes in 19 of Spurs' 22 league games.

The transformation is stark. At first, Spence was so far down Postecoglou's pecking order he was not even included in the squad for the Europa League group stage, coming in for the knockout stages.

His has been one of the most compelling individual stories this season – a breakthrough at age 24 that comes comparatively late for a top-flight footballer. Such has been his rise, there was clamour for him to feature in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad last month.

Spence missed out with Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly instead called up as the debutant left-back, despite the Spurs man making more Premier League tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks and defensive headers this campaign.

Spence came through Fulham's academy but signed his first professional contract with Middlesbrough in July 2018, then making his senior debut for the Championship club in the 2019-20 season.

He showed flashes of his talent at Riverside Stadium, but, in a pattern that would repeat, he found himself out of manager Neil Warnock's core plans and was allowed him to join then-Championship rivals Nottingham Forest on loan.

It was a gift for Forest, who were promoted that season with Spence named in the Championship team of the year for 2021-22 having made 39 league appearances. His form persuaded Spurs to spend £20 million and bring him back to his hometown of London.

Middlesbrough sporting director Kieran Scott, speaking to BBC Sport about why they allowed such a talent to slip away, admitted he had been a huge fan of Spence – scouting him for former club Norwich before moving to Boro.

"I liked his athletic profile," he said. "I'd actually put Djed forward at Norwich.

"He hadn't played that many games at that point because he started under Woody (ex-Boro manager Jonathan Woodgate) and didn't play many games for Warnock.

"I came into Middlesbrough and I liked him but the manager at the time didn't so I stepped in and got him a loan.

"He chose to go to Forest under Chris Hughton, then obviously Steve Cooper came in and took Djed to a new level.

"Chris Wilder came in [as Boro manager] and there was a clamour for Djed to be recalled but as a club, we made a decision that Djed would stay at Forest where he was doing really well.

"It ended up leading to him getting in team of the year and Spurs making a substantial offer."

Scott though admits he had some concerns about the move for Spence.

"He was a bit relaxed," Scott recalls. "I did initially fear Spurs might be a little bit too much - but fair play, he's hung in there."

Antonio Conte was manager at Tottenham when Spence joined in summer 2022, but what should have been the biggest move of his career soon turned sour as personalities clashed.

"It wasn't a nice feeling," Spence told Ferdinand for the podcast. "I was coming to the club on a high, I was confident, I was buzzing, had just won promotion. Then it was like running into a brick wall.

"I knew it was rubbish at the time. It wasn't a nice feeling. I feel like whatever I did, that man [Conte] wasn't happy about anything. He's not really a complimenting guy."

Watching parts of Spence's chat with Ferdinand, you can perhaps make easy assumptions about why a blood and thunder coach like Conte may not immediately take to Spence's more laidback demeanour off the pitch.

Yet some of his answers suggest an ambition and steeliness which explain how he has recovered from so many knockbacks to prove himself at Spurs and be talked of as a possible England international.

"I just want to keep establishing myself [and] play for my country as well," he says. "To achieve that I've just got to keep improving and stay focused."

After a year and a half of tough love around the continent, Spence returned to a Spurs side now under the management of Postecoglou – and seems to have finally found a manager with who he has a close relationship.

After a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth in December, Spence dragged Postecoglou away from an element of angry away support. He also defended the coach when asked about his initial absence from the Europa League squad.

"He's the manager of the football club, you know. He's the manager and we are a team and a family," Spence said of the Australian.

Some of Spence's most eye-catching performances this season have come against elite right-sided players who like to cut in from the wing.

With his mix of physicality, athleticism, defensive ability and attacking skill, aligned with his right-footedness, the man who was a few months ago a Spurs outcast now seems well adapted to the demands of being a Premier League left-back or left wing-back.

"His athleticism is so natural, he can play in the Premier League just purely down to what he's born with and he can play football, he's got ability," says Scott.

"I'm not shocked to see him playing ability-wise, it was just more down to application. He's got it right and it's working well and he's got to stay at that level.

"I always thought he had the ability to play in the Premier League. Not many players can run as fast as him for as long as him and just can keep doing it.

"Modern day football is why he is where he is."

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has thanked manager Ange Postecoglou for protecting the squad amid their disappointing season, describing him like "a dad or uncle for us".

Spurs are 17th in the Premier League table with one game remaining and have suffered 25 defeats across all competitions - their joint-highest since the 1991-92 season.

They have an opportunity to salvage their season with the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday, and Mali midfielder Bissouma says the relationship between the players and the manager has remained strong throughout the season.

"It's never changed, never changed. We have a good relationship," Bissouma, 28, said of Postecoglou.

"He's like a dad or uncle for us. He's always trying to make us understand what he really wants.

"For us, he's Ange, he's him. He's got his idea. He's trying to help us every time. He's always protecting us."

Bissouma added that Postecoglou's style was difficult to grasp at the beginning of his tenure in 2023, but he said the Australian has never put any blame on the players.

Injuries have plagued Tottenham's season but they were boosted by the return of captain Son Heung-min in Friday's defeat by Aston Villa.

They beat AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt to set up the European final against fellow Premier League strugglers United.

Bissouma was briefly suspended by Spurs at the beginning of the season after footage appeared to show the midfielder inhaling laughing gas, an incident which he said he did not want to talk about but is "still learning" from.

"Of course there's more to come [from me]. We are always here for learning, I'm still learning," he said.

"This season has been hard for me because I didn't play much.

"The only thing I know is you have to work hard and never give up and be ready when your team needs you. That's what I'm always trying to do.

"We know what we have to do. We have to win this cup because for us it's really important.

"As a player, it's not coming every season. For the club, for the fans, it's something special."

All eyes will be on Bilbao now as Manchester United and Tottenham switch focus from their disappointing domestic campaigns and try to win the Europa League.

With both sides languishing in the bottom half of the table, securing a European trophy - and a place in next season's Champions League - would ensure they finish the campaign on a high.

Having lost their penultimate Premier League fixtures on Friday, there was no winning send-off before their meeting in Spain.

Manchester United suffered an 18th loss of the campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, while it was 21 for Tottenham after they were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa.

But with everything now riding on Europa League success, just how are both sides shaping up ahead of the final?

Friday night's defeats for United and Spurs continued their dismal run domestically.

Tottenham have now lost 25 games in all competitions this season, the most in a single campaign in their history, while 18 league defeats for Manchester United is their most since losing 20 in 1973-74 - the last season in which they were relegated from the top flight.

United have also gone eight league games without a win (D2 L6) for the first time since an 11-game stretch between December 1989 and February 1990.

Spurs, meanwhile, have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games (D2 L8) since beating bottom side Southampton 3-1 in April.

They've also conceded in each of their last 12 league games, their longest run without a clean sheet since 17 between August and December 2010.

Both sides, though, will look to their form in Europe before Wednesday's showpiece - which has been in contrast to their domestic struggles.

They are unbeaten in their last five Europa League outings, winning four of those fixtures on their way to reaching the final.

The team selections made by both United boss Ruben Amorim and Spurs counterpart Ange Postecoglou for Friday's games provided some insight into their thinking for the Europa League final.

Postecoglou opted to rest several of his key players as Antonín Kinsky started in goal, with Guglielmo Vicario on the bench alongside Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Pedro Porro.

Amorim, meanwhile, opted to bring back his regular starters, having rested some of them for the 2-0 home loss to West Ham on Sunday, 11 May.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana was not in the squad that day as Altay Bayindir started, but returned to face Chelsea.

Amorim suggested after the game he was prioritising his key players feeling competitive before the final rather than feeling rested.

"We have to prepare for each competition, with five days we can rest," he told BBC Sport.

"We have five days to prepare [for the Europa League final], two days to fully recover and then two days to prepare.

"Of course, we are excited to be in the final. Since day one the pressure has been there, but I live quite well with the pressure. When you have the final of any cup, we show up, so we are prepared for that."

Tottenham have had the measure of Manchester United this season, beating them home and away in the Premier League and also in the Carabao Cup.

They will also likely back themselves to score against the Red Devils, having hit 21 more league goals than them, despite sitting fourth from bottom with United a place above.

In fact, no team outside the top six has scored more than Tottenham's 63 goals.

Keeping them out, however, has been an issue with 61 league goals conceded, while United have fared marginally better with 54.

Encouragement for Postecoglou will also come from a lively first-half display by Son Heung-min against Villa.

The forward is looking to return to peak fitness after being sidelined with a foot injury and went close to scoring before the break.

Son, 32, has lost his last two finals with Spurs and will no doubt be determined to end his trophy drought with the club after a decade.

"He is ready and available," Postecoglou said of Son. "He feels like he is getting back to some rhythm."

United, meanwhile, could only muster one shot on target against Chelsea with Rasmus Hojlund again struggling to make an impact in attack.

The forward has scored just three goals in his last 15 appearances in all competitions.

"They have a problem, they have no striker," former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told Sky Sports.

"Hojlund looked like a young boy from the academy. He is not good enough to be the main man. United are up against it all the time."

Playing your strongest side brings with it the risk of an important player picking up an injury that would rule them out of the final.

Fortunately for Amorim i twas a risk that paid off as his team appeared to come through the Chelsea test unscathed.

Instead, it was Tottenham who have more concerns after Pape Sarr went off in the first half against Villa with a back issue, although Postecoglou said he was taken off as a precaution.

Spurs certainly don't need their injury issues compounding, with key players like Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison already ruled out of the Europa League final.

While not solely to blame for their dreadfully poor domestic campaigns, injuries have certainly hampered both clubs.

According to data from PremierInjuries.com, Tottenham have had the third worst injury crisis in the Premier League, with United the fifth.

In total, Spurs had lost 1,414 days to injuries and suffered 38 separate injuries this season – both the third highest tallies in the league.

United, meanwhile, had lost 1,229 days to injury – the fifth most – with 30 separate injuries, which was the seventh highest figure.

However, Brighton are sat in the top 10 of the Premier League, despite having the worst injury issues so far this season.

According to the data the Seagulls are top with 1,862 days lost to 44 separate injuries - as of 15 May.

But despite their poor domestic form and injury concerns, everything can go out of the window for a one-off cup final.

United are looking to win the Europa League for the second time in the last decade and their fifth major European trophy overall.

And Keane said: "You still have to fancy United.

"I think history carries a bit of weight. League form, there's not much between them, both have been desperate, but United's history in finals and more knowledge around the big games, that might edge it."

For ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp there's nothing between the two sides.

"This feels like a 50/50 game," he added. "This is a chance for Tottenham to change history and narrative.

"Ange will become the biggest decision of Daniel Levy's life. The league form has been diabolical but a first trophy would make it really difficult to sack him.

"If they win a cup, it is hero status."

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says the fans transmitted the energy that his side needed to get the win over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park that continues their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

MATCH REPORT: Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou was pleased with his side's effort but admits the "game got away" from them after conceding the opening goal after 59 minutes in their 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

MATCH REPORT: Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

GOAL - Chelsea 0-1 Man Utd

Harry Maguire (16 mins)

An inquest at the back for Chelsea as Harry Maguire pops up to give Manchester United the lead.

Bruno Fernandes swings in a cross from deep and Maguire runs in to volley the ball home from about 10 yards out.

Offside check though.

Maresca and Amorim both seem angry

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

Both Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca are angry at their respective players from the touchline for seemingly failing to carry out tactical duties.

It has been a pretty disjointed start from both teams with United just in poor form in the Premier League and Chelsea without their only striker Nicolas Jackson through suspension.

Post

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes goes down holding his foot after being caught by Enzo Fernandez.

Just what United want to see... He's OK though.

Moises Caicedo is playing in a mask

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

Moises Caicedo is playing in a mask after suffering a minor cheek injury at Newcastle.

There are no concerns over his fitness more broadly and he had it fitted in preparation for action tonight.

Post

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd

Fantastic pass by Cole Palmer to pick out Noni Madueke in space in the box. Perfectly weighted past three United defenders but Madueke shins it over from six yards. The bounce just caught the ex-PSV winger out to be fair.

A group of teenagers, playing seven-a-side football in Coventry, had a huge surprise when Premier League player James Maddison turned up at their match.

It was "surreal" to see the former Sky Blues star, now a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, one of the boys said.

Teenager Max, from Eastern Green, told BBC CWR that Maddison was "really nice, down to earth, really humble".

His dad Mark, added the football star was a "great ambassador" for his home city.

"For him to spend time with my son and his friends, and take time out and help them along and be so kind and gracious, it was just incredible," he said.

"All the boys are big, huge Coventry City fans – as I am, lifelong fan."

Max said: "It's so surreal seeing him in real life.

"He turned up with his own team, and he started coaching the team we were playing – and we got absolutely battered,"

He said the final score was 9-0, but the disappointment of losing had been tempered by the experience of meeting one of his heroes.

"We got a few photos after, he's a really nice guy to talk to – really nice, down to earth, really humble," Max added.

Let's face it, everyone on the planet thinks Aston Villa will win this - the same way everyone will expect Chelsea to beat Manchester United in Friday's other game.

The way both Tottenham and United are approaching next week's Europa League final, they are just gripped with fear. It has become like a World Cup final for both clubs.

Both managers will make lots of changes for their matches on Friday, because they are so afraid of injuries to key players but I just don't think that is the way to approach Wednesday's game in Bilbao.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou does not want anyone to get injured but the flip side to leaving key people out is that you want to go into a big game with a bit of momentum, and Tottenham do not have any.

I put myself in a position of a Spurs player, and if I am Micky van de Ven or Cristian Romero, I would want to play against Villa and I would want to take that risk.

But what Postecoglou is scared of, naturally, is if something happens to one of them, because then he would be asked 'why on earth did you do that?'

So, we know what he will do and, because of that, you can't make a case for Tottenham beating Villa, or getting anything at all from this game.

On the face of it, things have turned out pretty well for Villa haven't they? Last summer they would have looked at their last two games of the season - Spurs at home on Friday and United away next weekend - and thought that is very tough.

Now, though, they must be rubbing their hands. They are fighting for a top-five finish and they finish up with two games against teams whose focus this week is completely on an all together different prize.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0