Manchester Evening News

Gareth Bale could have been lining up for Manchester United as a younger player, but he decided to go to Tottenham, where he established himself as one of the most explosive forwards around

Gareth Bale looked on with delight as Tottenham Hotspur claimed their first trophy in 17 years after defeating Manchester United. Yet, the tale of the Welshman's career trajectory might have taken an alternate route had he accepted an offer from the Red Devils rather than joining Spurs.

Almost twenty years back, a youthful Bale was stealing headlines as a full-back, finding the net five times and setting up another 12 over 45 matches for Southampton, who were then in the Championship. Daniel Levy, stepping into the role of Spurs chairman, had his eye on Bale but faced formidable competition from Premier League titan Sir Alex Ferguson and the board at Manchester United.

However, Bale shunned the advances of Ferguson in favour of a move to north London in 2007. Reflecting on this pivotal choice in 2023 on his Airwayz channel, Bale credited the decision as instrumental in his success.

The now-35-year-old said: "I rejected Manchester United and went to Tottenham. At that time, United were the biggest team in the league, they were winning trophies, they had the biggest players, the best manager.

"The easiest decision would be to go to Man United and the biggest club. You always want to be at the biggest clubs but I took the approach that I wanted to be playing first-team football."

Bale's decision to join Spurs led to a six-season spell which saw him transition from left-back to a much more influential forward. He notched up 42 goals across 142 appearances, leaving a mark during his tenure in the Premier League.

The Welshman then secured a sensational move to Spanish titans Real Madrid in 2013, setting a world-record fee at the time of £85million. He linked up with superstars such as ex-United star Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric.

During his nine seasons wearing the revered Madrid strip, Bale scored 106 goals over 258 appearances, winning five Champions League titles, three La Liga triumphs, and numerous other honours.

A loan spell back at Spurs was followed by a stint with Los Angeles FC before he retired in 2023, cementing his legacy as one of the prodigious talents in both Welsh and global football history.

Some might think Bale would rue bypassing Ferguson's United, who seized the Premier League crown in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013 under Sir Alex, for Spurs. But the ex-winger insisted that at a young age, regular first-team action meant more to him than monetary gain or immediate success.

He added: "At that age, a lot of players would go for the money and would want to go to a bigger club.

"But I was playing, developing and learning. It was an important part of my development to keep playing first-team football because you can't replicate that."

Now, it seems Bale gets to smirk at the side he could have joined, especially after their disheartening European clash this past week.

During TNT Sport's coverage of Spurs' 1-0 triumph in the Europa League final, Bale was asked if the victory would dispel the 'Spursy' label often associated with the club's history of near misses.

He swiftly turned the conversation to United's recent struggles, as he added: "It could be a United-y thing now, I am telling you. But it gets rid of that stigma now for sure, and hopefully we can build on it."

Manchester United missed out on European football next season after losing the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur this week

Manchester United have been handed a meagre boost after missing out on Champions League football next season.

United went into the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur as the favourites to win and claim their place at European football's top table. However, the Reds underperformed in Bilbao and were made to pay as Brennan Johnson's only goal won the trophy for Spurs.

Now, United face the reality of no European football next season with the Reds instead turning their full focus to the domestic campaign as they look to rebuild their confidence under Ruben Amorim. With the lack of European football comes a significant drop in money coming into the club.

Ineos will therefore have to rely on player sales to help increase Amorim's transfer fund. Ultimately, the future looks bleak for the Reds at present but they have at least managed to miss out on an embarrassing moment in the Champions League next season.

This year, UEFA have introduced a new format to their European competitions. Instead of the group stage, the Champions League and Europa League had a 36-team league phase to begin the tournament.

Each team was placed into one of four pots and would go on to face two teams from each pot in the first phase. Previously, the Europa League winners would get a place automatically in Pot A due to their performance in the second-tier competition.

Now, it is only the Champions League winner who is guaranteed a place in Pot A next season. The rest are assigned a position based on their UEFA coefficient ranking.

As each team must play two clubs from each pot, the advantage of being in Pot A is greatly reduced. However, that will not avoid the embarrassment for Spurs when they are likely placed in a lower pot due to their poor performance in the Premier League this season.

The exact pots for each team will be decided once the qualifying rounds have been completed. Ultimately, this is a meagre boost for United who would much rather be in the Champions League than out of it.

But, the hope from the United camp will be that without the distraction of European football, they can return to at least the Europa League for the 2026/27 season.

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Man United failed to qualify for next season's Champions League following Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has already accepted his team's Premier League form will have to be "perfect" next season after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

United were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night, meaning they will not be involved in any European competition next season for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.

Heading into the final at the San Mames Stadium sat 16th in the Premier League table, United knew a victory in the Basque Country represented their only route into Europe for next season.

However, Brennan Johnson netted the only goal of the game to ensure Spurs secured the Champions League place reserved for the Europa League winners, leaving United to reflect on what could have been. It means Amorim's side will have to concentrate on the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup next term.

Although it might not seem like it at this moment in time, being without European football next term could be beneficial to United and Amorim, who said ahead of the final that he and his team "need more time" on the training ground to improve United's fortunes.

"We need more time with the team," Amorim declared, speaking last week. "We need to arrange a lot of things in Carrington that we need more time to not think game by game by game.

"And then we have the squad. We proved this year we need to be a better squad if we want to win European games and then be really competitive during the Premier League it's going to be tough. So my feeling is that."

As a result of failing to qualify for Europe, United's schedule will be reduced by a minimum of eight games next season. As a result of the extra time on the training ground that will generate, Amorim has already accepted his side's domestic form will have to be faultless.

He added: "For sure, if we don't win [against Spurs]. But I'm not concerned about that.

"It's going to be really bad. I don't want to use that as an excuse, it's going to be really tough. The patience of the fans and you guys, the patience for next season and the limit will have to be perfect."

A few days earlier, Amorim had issued a scathing assessment of his side's struggles following a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United at Old Trafford, where he admitted that he was unsure if playing in the Champions League next season would be beneficial.

"To be honest with you, I'm not concerned about the final, it's by far the smallest problem in our club," the United boss admitted. "We need to change something that is deeper than this.

"We are showing in the end of the season, playing Premier League and Champions League for us is the moon. We need to know that and I'm not concerned about the final. They will be focused.

"I don't know what is best. If it's playing Champions League or not."

Manchester United fell at the final hurdle in the Europa League as they lost 1-0 to Tottenham at the San Mames in Bilbao.

Spurs took the lead on the stroke of half time as United made a mess of clearing Pape Sarr’s cross and the ball struck Luke Shaw before bouncing beyond Andre Onana.

A Guglielmo Vicario error gave Rasmus Hojlund the chance to equalise in the second half but the United striker’s effort was cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven.

United kept pushing in search of an equalising goal but couldn’t find a way through as Vicario denied Shaw late on.

Here are how the players and manager rated at the San Mames:

Andre Onana

There were a couple of breakdowns in communication on another unconvincing night for the goalkeeper. A spectator for the second half. 5

Leny Yoro

Got away with a casual bit of play inside his own half. Went close to equalising when he grazed Bruno Fernandes' free kick. 6

Harry Maguire

The most commanding of the back three, though United oddly had little hassle all night from Tottenham in their own third. 6

Luke Shaw

Started sluggishly and did not perk up as he was credited with the own goal. Should not have started and somehow stayed on. 4

Noussair Mazraoui

Defensively fine but barely attacked from his right-wing role and that was always bound to be an issue in this final. 6

Casemiro

Not as exposed as he was at Tottenham in February but could not exert the influence he wielded in the previous knockout rounds. 5

Bruno Fernandes

Began enterprisingly before fading in the first half and struggled to summon up any inspiration as United endeavoured to get an equaliser. 4

Patrick Dorgu

Started by default and did not cover himself in glory for Shaw's own goal and misused the ball too often. Out of his depth. 4

Mason Mount

A dubious pick ahead of Alejandro Garnacho, Mount did nothing of note all night on his sixth club final start. Made way for Garnacho. 5

Amad

United's brightest attacker and patently unnerved Spurs left back Destiny Udogie. Spurs kept him in check more in the second half. 6

Rasmus Hojlund

Struggled to get a kick in the first half but got his head to the ball in the second, only to see it cleared off the line by Van de Ven. 5

Subs

Joshua Zirkzee

First appearance in 38 days after Hojlund fired blanks again. Booked. 5

Alejandro Garnacho

Did more in his first few minutes than Mount did in 70, drawing a save. 6

Diogo Dalot

Returned from injury with five minutes to go. 5

Kobbie Mainoo

Came on with 90 minutes played. N/A

Manager

Got it wrong starting Mount at the expense of Garnacho and the strategic pick of Shaw gifted Tottenham a goal. Took too long to make a sub. 4

Manchester United head into the half-time break 1-0 down against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has pointed the finger towards Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Andre Onana after Tottenham Hotspur got a strange opening goal against Manchester United in the Europa League final.

United and Spurs were evenly matched for most of the first half in Bilbao with chances kept to a minimum for both sides. However, with just three minutes remaining in the first 45, Ange Postecoglou's side hit the front.

A cross from the left seemed to evade Maguire and find Johnson in the middle, who beat Shaw to the ball as it eventually ended up nestling in Onana's bottom corner. The goal will have completely changed the feeling in the United dressing room at half-time and McCoist believes the trio of Reds players could be at fault for conceding.

"It might have been a little bit scrappy," the TNT Sports pundit said immediately after the goal. "There is the delivery, he (Brennan Johnson) gets in behind and I think Maguire thinks the goalkeeper is coming but he doesn't.

"He doesn't think anyone is behind him but unfortunately for him he is wrong. Well it is scrappy isn't it, I think Shaw might even play it off him.

"It comes off Shaw there, does Johnson get a touch? Doesn't really matter does it?"

In the studio at the break, Rio Ferdinand also suggested that Patrick Dorgu could have done better for the opener. He felt the full-back did not do enough to inform Shaw that Johnson was breaking through to get on the delivery.

Either way, the final is now in Spurs' hands and United will need a big performance to get back in this. A reminder that the winner of tonight's final will qualify for next season's Champions League.

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Rio Ferdinand points blame at one Man United player for Tottenham goal - and it's not Luke Shaw

Tottenham Hotspur made the breakthrough against Manchester United in the Europa League final just before half-time.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand criticised Patrick Dorgu for failing to communicate with Luke Shaw in the build up to Tottenham Hotspur drawing first blood in Wednesday night's Europa League final.

Spurs got their noses in front just a few minutes before half-time when Pape Matar Sarr's cross from the left was turned in by Brennan Johnson.

The Wales international turned the ball home from close range with the faintest of touches after the ball bounced off Shaw and headed towards the bottom corner of the goal.

Johnson made a darting run across Shaw to try and get to the ball first, and by the time the United defender had recognised his movement, the ball was in a position of danger.

However, Ferdinand took aim at Dorgu, who was the defender stationed furthest away from the ball at the time of Sarr's cross, for failing to warn Shaw of Johnson's darting run, suggesting a lack of experience let the Dane down.

Ferdinand told TNT Sports: "Dorgu, at no point in this, does he speak to Luke Shaw. I think you always need that help.

"Maybe it's an experience thing. He doesn't let him know. By the time he sees the white shirt flash across him, it's too late and the ball ends up in the back of the net.

"I always say the defender the furthest away is your talker and your eyes and ears. He has to signal the other players.

"He has to shout, scream, push, whatever, and let them know players are running across them, and he didn't do that and they got punished."

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What Tottenham players did before kick-off to make 'statement' to Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur's players walked past Man United's pre-match huddle and into the Reds' half to try and rally their supporters.

Tottenham Hotspur's players did their best to rally their supporters ahead of kick-off against Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao by making a 'statement' seconds before kick-off.

After the coin toss had seen United's and Spurs' players switch sides, with United attacking towards their fans in the first half and Spurs doing likewise, Ange Postecoglou's players applauded their fans from inside United's half.

Spurs' players broke from their huddle and ventured into the United half while Ruben Amorim's players were still in their own huddle.

They each looked towards the end of the ground in which their supporters were housed and applauded, almost in a show of unity.

The Londoners, this evening, are looking to win their first trophy since 2008 and a first in Europe since 1984, meaning the occasion is arguably bigger for them than it is for United.

Their pre-match actions caught the attention of of TNT Sports co-commentator Ally McCoist, who described the actions of Tottenham's players as a "statement".

McCoist said: "I think it is a bit of a statement, to be honest. They have walked past the United players, straight to their own fans, doing their get together right in front of their own fans.

"It feels like a bit of a statement."

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Man United will be eyeing their first European trophy since 2017 when they face Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday night's Europa League final.

Leny Yoro has been named in Manchester United's starting line-up for tonight's Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames Stadium.

Yoro was originally a doubt for the final after being forced off with a foot injury in United's 2-0 defeat to West Ham United at Old Trafford just over a week ago.

However, he trained at Carrington yesterday morning and was later included in United's 26-man travelling squad, suggesting he would be involved in the matchday squad in some capacity.

He looks set to start on the right of United's back-three, joining forces with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu have been selected to fill the two wing-back positions.

Elsewhere, Mason Mount has been awarded his first Europa League start since United's 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford back in November.

His inclusion in the starting XI has come at the expense of Alejandro Garnacho, who will start on the bench. Mount, along with Amad, will support Rasmus Hojlund up front.

Elsewhere, captain Bruno Fernandes will operate from midfield, tasked with operating alongside Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte has had to settle for a place on the bench.

Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee, who have both returned from injury, will also start on the bench.

United starting XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Amad, Mount; Hojlund.

United substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Evans, Heaven, Lindelof, Amass, Ugarte, Eriksen, Collyer, Mainoo, Garnacho, Zirkzee.

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Manchester United's 2024/25 season will be defined by what happens in Bilbao on Wednesday evening when they take on Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

United's season will not be rescued by winning the second-tier European trophy but when we look back on this season in ten year's time, the result of this final will be remembered, not the torment of the Premier League. A spot in the next edition of the Champions League will be a huge achievement for Ruben Amorim considering the struggles he has had to navigate in just a short space of time.

The main issue has been the squad he has inherited. This team was underperforming in the system it was built for - it was only going to get worse with an unfamiliar new tactic.

Despite that, this squad has managed to rally on numerous occasions in the Europa League and it now stands on the edge of glory. Throughout this European campaign, it is fair to suggest that United have benefited from the element of surprise.

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad were not ready for the onslaught they received at the hands of United while the Lyon outcome remains a mystery to all those who witnessed it. Against Spurs, that surprise factor is mostly eradicated.

This will be the fourth meeting between these two clubs this campaign and Tottenham have had United's number in all of the three previous fixtures. But while Spurs may feel they know what to expect from the Reds, Amorim is able to call on a secret weapon that nobody expected to be available to him - Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dutchman has had a tumultuous season for United and at times it seemed like the club was a step too far for him. However, he has dug deep since the turn of the year and suddenly became a player who Amorim could rely upon in big games.

He scored against Real Sociedad and Lyon in the Europa League and has improved enormously now he is utilised in the No.10 role. Zirkzee's injury away at Newcastle looked to have ended his campaign altogether and yet, a miraculous recovery has made him an option for Amorim tonight.

If he was to pop up with an important goal to cap off the season, it would be the perfect turnaround for the Dutchman and should provide him with huge confidence heading into the 2025/26 campaign. On December 30 he was at his lowest ebb after being jeered off the pitch.

Recent weeks have seen Zirkzee linked with a summer move away from the club but, in Bilbao, he could save his Old Trafford career.

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What channel is Man United vs Tottenham on - how to watch, live stream details, kick-off time

Manchester United will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

Manchester United are a few hours away from, potentially, lifting Europa League silverware against Tottenham with one eye on the Champions League reward that would come with such success.

United beat Ajax to win the same competition in 2017 under Jose Mourinho with goals coming from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan - and they will be aiming to replicate that success this time around.

It's been an underwhelming domestic season for both clubs, but lifting the trophy would secure a place in next season's Champions League.

Heading into the clash, United remain the only unbeaten team in the competition - although Spurs have won all three meetings between the sides this season.

Here, we take a closer look at how you can follow tonight's action;

What time does Man United vs Tottenham kick-off?

The game at the San Mames Stadium will kick-off at 8pm on Wednesday, May 21.

Is Man United vs Tottenham being shown live on TV?

Yes, tonight's match has been selected for live broadcast in the UK - being shown on both TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Discovery+ customers will also be able to stream the game via the Discovery+ website and app.

Radio commentary of the game will be available on talkSPORT and BBC Radio Five Live.

The Manchester Evening News will also be in attendance in Bilbao to bring you all the build-up, action and post-match reaction. Our match live blog is available, here.

How can I watch the Europa League final overseas?

If you are in the USA, the match will be available to watch on Paramount+ and fuboTV, while in Canada it will be broadcast on DAZN Canada.

Over in Australia, it will air on Stan Sport, while Sport TV 5 holds the rights in Portugal. In Brazil, the match will be shown on Band.

You can find all the information for other countries, here.

How can I watch Man United vs Tottenham highlights?

The match highlights will be available on the TNT Sports website, as well as United's YouTube channel.

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Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

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