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Tottenham fans have blasted the club ahead of the Europa League final for a 'horrible' setup ahead of a Europa League final screening at their stadium.

Footage posted to X, formerly Twitter, showed 10 screens erected around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the game.

Fans were able to purchase tickets at a cost of £10 for adults and £5 for anyone under the age of 18.

However, some supporters did not seem all that impressed by the club's efforts to facilitate those fans who were unable to make the trip to Bilbao.

Commenting on the number of screens, one user joked: 'Levy got a bulk deal at Argos'.

A second added: 'That looks horrible'.

A further comment read: 'That looks pathetic'.

Another fumed: 'That’s a joke'.

It came with both sides set to battle it out in Bilbao for a spot in next season's Champions League which can only be claimed by the winner.

As both sides will finish outside of the European places in the Premier League - with Man United in 16th and Spurs in 17th - the final at San Mames has an added element of importance for two sides who would otherwise expect to be in Europe.

However, disappointing domestic campaigns for Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim mean the two finalists will finish the 2024-25 season in their lowest-ever Premier League positions.

United have also been dealt a further setback as they must wear a slightly-altered kit for the showpiece event in the Basque Country.

This is because Tottenham's home kit takes precedence as they were drawn as the 'home' team for the contest.

While the Lilywhites have worn white shirts with navy shorts and white socks while in action in the Premier League this season, that differs in European competition.

Owing to a tradition that dates back to 1961, Spurs wear all-white in Europe.

This means United must black shorts and black socks in the final to go with their famous red shirts.

Man United and Tottenham go head-to-head in the Europa League final tonight

It will be the sixth all-English European final and the first in four years

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will go head-to-head in Bilbao for the Europa League trophy in the sixth all-English European final tonight.

Both sides have endured miserable campaigns, languishing 17th and 16th respectively in the Premier League with 39 defeats combined.

The second-tier European competition offers some salvation for Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou, who will both be eager to end the tough season on a high by winning the final at the San Mames stadium, home to Athletic Club.

The Red Devils come into the final undefeated in Europe this season, with their club's historic success arguably lending them an advantage.

For Spurs, it's a chance to end 17 years of trophy drought since their 2007-08 EFL League Cup win and 41 years since their last European triumph.

The winner of the Europa League will cement their place in the 2025-26 Champions League, offering tremendous prize money and revenue which both Daniel Levy and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be eager to secure.

Here, Mail Sport relives the all-English European finals of the past, revisiting the dramatic clashes and iconic moments that shaped these historic encounters.

Wolves 2-3 Tottenham (across two legs) - 1971-72 UEFA Cup Final

Tottenham won the first-ever all-English European final after defeating Wolves 3-2 across two legs in the Europa League predecessor.

The UEFA Cup operated with a two-legged final until 1997, a bizarre way of deciding the winner with both sides playing home and away at their respective home stadiums.

The Lilywhites took a narrow lead into the second leg after a 2-1 win at Molineux before a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane secured the trophy for the north London side.

Spurs would go on to secure their second UEFA Cup trophy 12 years later in the 1983-84 final, beating Belgian side Anderlecht on penalties.

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 on pens) - 2007-08 UEFA Champions League Final

A night to forget for Chelsea fans as Manchester United dispatched their major club rivals on penalties in the Champions League final 17 years ago today.

Cristiano Ronaldo's header put United in the lead before Frank Lampard tucked away a loose ball in the Red Devil's 18-yard box.

Ivory Coast's top goal scorer Didier Drogba was sent off in extra-time following an altercation with Serbian anchor Nemanja Vidic.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Avram Grant then had to endure the gruelling decider of penalties, which saw an opportunity of victory for Chelsea when Ronaldo missed his penalty.

Captain John Terry stepped up to score the winning penalty, only to slip and the hit the post in one of the most infamous moments in Champions League history.

Sudden death penalties were required as Nicolas Anelka saw his effort saved by Edwin van der Sar to give Manchester United the trophy.

Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal - 2018-19 UEFA Europa League Final

Eleven years later, Chelsea prevailed against another English rival in the Europa League in an intense end-to-end tie in Baku.

In a hotly-contested match, former Gunner Olivier Giroud opened the scoring early in the second half before Pedro and an Eden Hazard spot-kick put the Blues 3-0 up on the night.

Alex Iwobi's sensational strike gave Arsenal some late hope before Hazard grabbed as second goal to extinguish any Arsenal fightback.

Italian Maurizio Sarri won his first major trophy as a manager, defeating the now Aston Villa coach Unai Emery who had previously won three Europa League titles in a row with Sevilla.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Liverpool - 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Final

Magical and dramatic comebacks in the semi-finals set up a crucial final between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Liverpool's 4-0 turnaround after losing 3-0 to Barcelona at the Nou Camp gave Jurgen Klopp's side some much needed momentum heading into the final.

Spurs had also done the unthinkable, with super-sub Lucas Moura's second half hat-trick against Ajax in Amsterdam sending them wild as they were on the verge of ending their trophy drought.

Yet, it was not to be for Tottenham after Moussa Sissoko's dubious handball in the opening minute awarded Liverpool a penalty, converted by Mohamed Salah.

Spurs struggled to shrug off the shock of going a goal down so early in the match as they dominated the ball with little end product.

Divock Origi's 87th minute goal secured the trophy for the Reds, Klopp's first club honour as Liverpool manager.

Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea - 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Final

Current England boss Thomas Tuchel masterfully led Chelsea to more European glory, defeating Manchester City in a cagey affair.

The Cityzens and the Blues played in front of a reduced capacity at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto due to the COVID-19 pandemic, setting a peculiar atmosphere in the ground.

The pivotal moment arrived just before the half-time whistle as Mason Mount played in Kai Havertz to put him one-on-one with Ederson.

Although the Brazilian touched the ball, the German gathered the ball to stroke it home into an empty net.

Pep Guardiola's side controlled possession for most of the game but did little to cause the Chelsea backline any problems as the Blues lifted Europe's most illustrious trophy.

Tottenham and Man United meet in the Europa League final on Wednesday night

Around 80,000 fans have reportedly flown out to Spain ahead of the match

Europa League final LIVE: Follow Mail Sport's blog for the big match here

Spanish media has hit out at Manchester United and Tottenham fans for being 'difficult to control' ahead of the Europa League final, amid reports of clashes between supporters in Bilbao.

Around 80,000 supporters have reportedly flown out to Spain for the game, despite the San Mames having a capacity of 52,114.

Both sets of clubs were allocated 15,000 tickets for the final, with thousands of ticketless fans still opting to descend on the city.

Spanish news agency EFE reported on Tuesday that 'some fans are already losing control' in the streets in the centre of Bilbao.

The fans were claimed to have become 'difficult to control', despite the deployment of 2,000 police officers on the eve of the match.

Supporters were claimed to have 'taken over urban furniture' in the city, having been pictured climbing on to traffic lights.

The Bilbao-based newspaper El Correo reported that Tottenham fans had 'destroyed two traffic lights' and had 'raised them like a trophy'.

Tottenham supporters had congregated in Pozas, located close to the stadium, while Man United fans were based in Plaza Nueva.

Several Manchester United fans were reported to have punched another supporter in Plaza Nueva, leading to eight police officers being required to intervene.

Tottenham supporters were claimed to have showered rivals with beer in another incident, while one fan was pictured vomiting in the street.

A fan zone was reported to be calm in El Arenal, with a large police presence said to have been present.

The Basque Government had earlier activated a 'protection plan', which has involved 'monitoring of the situation and responding to scenarios where potential emergencies are anticipated'.

Footage on Tuesday night, showed supporters clashing in San Sebastian, 48 miles away from Bilbao.

Information and video shared by Spanish publication El Diario Vasco claimed the situation escalated at around 9.20pm local time.

According to witness accounts, the incident started with shouts and insults, before one punch caused one fan to fall to the ground.

A number of fans then appeared to begin throwing objects, with tables also overturned before police arrived, with officers remaining in the area.

An ambulance was also reportedly dispatched to treat anyone necessary, but, after a few minor treatments, it was reportedly not deemed necessary to take anyone to hospital.

A police spokesman, however, confirmed on Wednesday morning that no arrests have been made in either Bilbao or San Sebastian.

'In relation to the incidents arising out of the celebration of the Europa League final we have no information on any serious occurrences,' the spokesperson said.

'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.'

Both Man United and Tottenham fans have travelled to Bilbao hoping their teams can rescue dismal seasons by securing European glory.

The two clubs head into the final amid disastrous Premier League campaigns, which see them lie 16th and 17th in the table.

Tottenham would end a 17-year trophy drought with victory.

Victory for either Ruben Amorim or Ange Postecoglou's sides will come with the added incentive of qualification for next season's Champions League, making the match reportedly worth around £100m.

Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Tottenham and Manchester United meet in the 2024-25 Europa League final in the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

Tottenham Hotspur's battle against Manchester United is one of the strangest Europa League finals ever with both side desperate for a trophy to end their miserable campaigns.

Manchester United and Spurs sit 16th and 17th respectively in the Premier League table, picking up a combined 39 defeats in the league.

Yet both teams may be able to spare their blushes by winning the Europa League, guaranteeing qualification for the Champions League as the sixth English side for 2025-26.

Tottenham won their last trophy, the League Cup, 17 years ago, with their last European trophy coming 41 years ago, setting up a historic final for the Lilywhites.

For United, returning to the Champions League is a non-negotiable for a club of their stature.

The Red Devils are facing issues with defensive personnel as Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez missing out on the all-important final.

Conversely, the Lilywhites have suffered injuries to key midfielders, damaging their chances of European glory.

James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall will miss the rest of the season whilst Dejan Kulusevski has also been ruled out of the final.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said: 'I would choose every single player of Tottenham's over Manchester United's next Wednesday.

'When you look at those players like for like with United, only Bruno [Fernandes] would get into the first XI of Spurs. I have got a sickly feeling about this game next Wednesday.'

But does Neville's team correlate with Mail Sport's combined XI for this season-defining Europa League final?

Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario

It's fair to say that both Vicario and United's Andre Onana have been poor this season.

The Italian has conceded 33 goals in 23 starts in the Premier League for the Lilywhites equalling the same amount as Arsenal have conceded across the whole campaign!

Yet, Vicario is a bit more reliable than Onana who has made a comedy of errors in between the sticks this season, linking him with a move away from Old Trafford this summer.

Right back: Pedro Porro

The 25-year-old is the clear choice at right back in the team, given his outstanding attacking threat highlighted by his 13 goal involvements in all competitions.

Manchester United are susceptible to conceding goals from crosses and corners, so Spurs will need Porro's expert deliveries to trouble the opponent's shaky backline.

After a promising start to his United career, Noussair Mazraoui is nowhere near Porro's attacking quality which could be pivotal to exploiting the Red Devils' frailties.

Centre back: Cristian Romero

Despite facing criticism over his body language on and off the pitch, the Argentinian has put in some solid performances in the Europa League.

The 27-year-old World Cup and Copa America winner knows what it is like to taste success and will be eager to clinch the European title.

Linked with a possible move away to Atletico Madrid, Romero will be keen to deliver for his club of four years.

Although he's faced criticism, an honourable mention must go to Harry Maguire who has been one of United's best players in a shocking season.

Centre back: Micky van de Ven

The Dutchman will partner Romero at the back, forming an athletic and pacey central-defensive duo.

Since his arrival to Spurs in 2023-24, the former Wolfsburg man has been one of Postecoglou's best players when fit.

Capable of astonishing recovery runs and outstanding leadership, Van de Ven will be called upon to prevent Manchester United progressing into Spurs' 18-yard box, despite Tottenham's high line.

Left back: Destiny Udogie

Whilst his second season in north London has seen a decline in overall performances, the 22-year-old is the left back of choice for the side.

The Italian is a physical monster who is strong, quick and durable to keep going for the full 90 minutes.

His opposite number, 20-year-old Patrick Dorgu, has the makings of a superb left back, but his naivety and rashness lets him down, leading to problems for United down their left side.

Central midfielder: Manuel Ugarte

The Uruguayan is the first Red Devil to make the team after gradually improving following a shaky start to life in Manchester.

The former PSG and Sporting midfielder averages 3.6 tackles per 90 in all competitions this season, stopping threatening attacks.

Readers may be quick to point out the absence of Yves Bissouma who has been delivering some superb performances for Tottenham of late.

However, the Malian has been extremely inconsistent this season, often causing errors that lead to goals which has cost Spurs across the campaign.

Central midfielder: Rodrigo Bentancur

One of Tottenham's more consistent midfielders this season, the Uruguayan will sit next to his compatriot Ugarte in the midfield.

The ex-Juventus man has been tasked with covering every blade of grass in Postecoglou's high pressing system, as shown by his 2.1 interceptions per 90 in all competitions.

The absence of Bergvall means Bentancur will need to step up in order to control the middle of the park.

Central midfielder: Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United's talisman and captain, the Portuguese has been the one shining light in a grim season for the Red Devils.

Nineteen goals and 17 assists in all competitions, Fernandes will be at the heart of United's attacking play.

His leadership and work rate sets him above the rest and Amorim will be relying on his captain to carry Manchester United to European glory.

Right wing: Amad Diallo

Having been unfortunate with injuries this campaign, the Ivorian has enjoyed a sensational breakout season being one of the few dependable players.

Diallo has 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season with his pace and agility terrorising the opposition.

Left wing: Heung-min Son

Not a huge fan of this selection, but the South Korean gets the nod over the patchy Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank.

Son has registered 22 goal involvements this season, seeing a drop off in form as he leaves his prime years.

Although he is not the player of yesteryear, Spurs' No 7 wants to lift a trophy and give the fans something to celebrate and his voice will be key on and off the pitch.

The 32-year-old touched on his desire to deliver silverware at Tottenham, he said: 'The biggest reason I stayed at Tottenham was to do something others couldn't achieve.

'It feels different this time. I really want to win, more than anyone else.

'So many people are supporting us with the same desperate passion I feel. If we prepare well, I believe we can achieve it.'

Striker: Dominic Solanke

Off the back of a 21 goal 2023-24 season with Bournemouth, Solanke hasn't been able to match last season's heights in North London.

It has been a transitionary season for the former Liverpool man, but 15 goals and 8 assists in all competitions is promising for his long-term future.

Conversely, Manchester United have struggled in the No 9 position, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to impress.

Tottenham have forced Manchester United into a major kit change

The two English sides will play in Bilbao for a spot in the Champions League

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?

Tottenham have forced Manchester United into a major kit change ahead of the Europa League final because of a tradition that dates back 64 years.

The two English sides will battle it out in Bilbao for a spot in next season's Champions League which can only be claimed by the winner.

As both sides will finish outside of the European places in the Premier League - with Man United in 16th and Spurs in 17th - the final at San Mames has an added element of importance for two sides who would otherwise expect to be in Europe.

However, disappointing domestic campaigns for Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim mean the two finalists will finish the 2024-25 season in their lowest-ever Premier League positions.

United have also been dealt a further setback as they must wear a slightly-altered kit for the showpiece event in the Basque Country.

This is because Tottenham's home kit takes precedence as they were drawn as the 'home' team for the contest.

While the Lilywhites have worn white shirts with navy shorts and white socks while in action in the Premier League this season, that differs in European competition.

Owing to a tradition that dates back to 1961, Spurs wear all-white in Europe.

This means United must black shorts and black socks in the final to go with their famous red shirts.

They previously wore the combination during their away trip to Real Sociedad back in March, which ended as a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, Andre Onana will wear green in goal for the Red Devils while Guglielmo Vicario sports a yellow jersey.

The tradition of Spurs wearing all-white was introduced by their then-manager Bill Nicholson after they reached Europe for the first time that year.

Having won the league and cup double the previous season, Nicholson reasoned that the kit would be easier to distinguish on poorly-lit pitches.

Since then, the north London side have won two UEFA Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - and they will hope to add the Europa League to their cabinet on Wednesday night as they chase a first trophy since 2008.

Manchester United and Tottenham fans have clashed in San Sebastian - 48 miles away from Bilbao - ahead of their Europa League final match on Wednesday night.

An expected total of 80,000 English supporters of both teams have flown out to Spain for the game, which will define the seasons of the two struggling sides, who sit 16th and 17th in the Premier League respectively.

Whoever wins the game will secure a trophy and qualification for next year's Champions League, while the losers will be left ruing a disastrous season.

It's also an important game for the fans, who are eager to see their sides lift silverware. For Tottenham, it would be their first in 17 years, while United are keen to win their first trophy under Ruben Amorim.

Things turned ugly before the game, though, with violence breaking out on Tuesday night. Spurs and United fans clashed in San Sebastian - just over an hour's drive from Bilbao before police arrived.

Information and video shared by Spanish publication El Diario Vasco claimed the situation escalated at around 9.20pm local time. According to witness accounts, the incident started with shouts and insults, before one punch caused one fan to fall to the ground.

A number of fans then appeared to begin throwing objects, with tables also overturned before police arrived, with officers remaining in the area.

Things eventually calmed down once there was a police presence, with no arrests made and no injuries caused.

An ambulance was also reportedly dispatched to treat anyone necessary, but, after a few minor treatments, it was reportedly not deemed necessary to take anyone to hospital.

Manchester United and Tottenham have been allocated 15,000 tickets each for the final inside the San Mames Stadium, which holds around 53,000 fans.

Thousands more, however, had been expected to buy tickets in other parts of the stadium, with others flying out to the city without tickets to their names.

On the ground floor of the Guggenheim Museum, a mile or so from the stadium where the Europa League final takes place on Wednesday night, they are showing a contemporary film and video exhibition, a collaboration between Basque and Italian artists.

Crowds of visitors enter the exhibition room in darkness, strangers bump into each other while they wait for the video to start, people walk into walls as they grope through the gloom and start to wonder how they will ever get out.

When the films begin, they have a nightmarish quality. A man in sunglasses, his image blurred and grainy, feints to his right again and again. On another screen, a man groans and then hums a dissonant tune that grows quick and angry. Finally, a man's voice. 'You're not ready to see this yet,' it says.

Someone at the Guggenheim knew Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were coming to town, clearly. They knew that Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou, managers tortured by the mediocrity of their teams, would be bringing their suffering with them, too.

Maybe they knew that by Tuesday evening Postecoglou would be in a press conference, raging at the suggestion he would be dismissed as a clown if Spurs lose. Maybe they knew that Amorim, who has a predilection for self-flagellation, would be answering more questions about the staff redundancies and petty cutbacks at Old Trafford that have contributed to the grim narrative of United's season.

On one level, what is approaching here in this beautiful city in the Basque Country is a final with absurdly high stakes that promises either redemption or ruin for English football's lost souls. And on another, it is a collision of the damned.

United and Spurs have been so poor this season - they lie 16th and 17th in the Premier League - that it is difficult to know whether to be proud two English teams have reached a major European final, or to be embarrassed.

Statistically, in terms of their collective current positions in one of Europe's top five leagues, they are the worst two teams ever to appear in a European final. With a nod to the host nation, some are calling this clash El Crapico, although it would have taken a brave journalist to mention that to Postecoglou. Nobody did.

So is this heaven or is this hell? What does it say about the imbalance in European football that has been created by the financial might of the English top flight that two sides as thoroughly and deeply mediocre as United and Spurs can get to this final?

The Spurs and United fans who have made all manner of wonderful odysseys to get here, ferries from Plymouth to Santander or Portsmouth to Bilbao, planes to Biarritz or Bordeaux or Toulouse or Madrid or Barcelona or Porto, and trains and hire cars through the Pyrenees to complete the journeys will care little about that question.

What both sets of supporters do know is that by the end of the game in this magnificent stadium on the banks of the Nervion River, one of their teams will be looking forward to playing in the Champions League next season and the other will be drowning in ridicule and despair.

So they are enjoying it while they can. When the Spurs team bus arrived in Bilbao Tuesday lunchtime, it was followed around the Plaza del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus by chanting fans. Those chants even infiltrated the Guggenheim.

United fans were here in force on Monday evening, too, singing and carousing in the older section of the city that rises up from the banks of the river towards the steep hillsides that gaze down on Bilbao. They have tasted glory more recently than Spurs but their team's fall from grace has been even more startling.

The pressure is intense for both managers. So much is riding on the final that it is hard to know if either will survive defeat by the other. Part of the equation is money. The carrot of Champions League qualification means victory is worth more than £100million to the winner.

Victory means a higher calibre of signings in the summer. Victory means a chance to end the agony. Victory means the glimpse of an upward trajectory.

Defeat does not bear thinking about. It means a season without European competition. It means vastly reduced revenue. It means penalty payments to disappointed sponsors. It means losing more and more ground to the Premier League's top sides and moving further and further away from the European elite.

For Spurs, in particular, victory means a chance to change the mocking narrative that yaps at them. You know the stuff I mean: the joke about 'Doctor Tottenham will see you now' that aims at the club's ability to cure the ills of others by losing to them, the invention of the adjective 'Spursy' that describes the ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

They have not won a trophy since they lifted the League Cup in 2008. They have not won a European trophy since they beat Anderlecht to win the UEFA Cup in 1984. 'This game represents the chance to change the history of our club and the mentality,' the Spurs captain Son Heung-min said when Tottenham began their training session at the San Mames.

All that is on the line on Wednesday evening, so maybe it was not a surprise that Postecoglou reacted so angrily when he turned up for his press conference yesterday and was asked about flirting with infamy by a reporter, who had speculated recently in his newspaper that some might brand him a clown if Spurs lost.

'That depends on your outlook,' Postecoglou spat back, 'but I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I'm not a clown and never will be. 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.'

When Amorim took his seat at the same dais a couple of hours later, he cut an altogether more relaxed figure as he sat between Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire. Fernandes even felt able to make a joke at Amorim's expense when the manager was asked why it was that he was not under as much pressure as Postecoglou. 'He is,' Fernandes said with a mischievous smile. Amorim laughed. 'He wants my job,' the United boss said.

Amorim has sought to play down the wider importance of the result. The club have said, for instance, that they will not have an open-top bus parade if they win tonight. A barbecue has been suggested instead.

'There are a lot of problems we need to solve in this club and they will not be solved by winning a cup,' Amorim said.

Spurs have the advantage of having beaten United three times already this season, home and away in the Premier League and also in the Carabao Cup. But they also have to cope with the issue that three of their best players - James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski - are out through injury.

Maybe their absences accounted for Postecoglou's dark mood. His biting sarcasm was never far from the surface and it re-emerged when he was asked a question about his future.

'I will keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is,' he said. 'Don't worry about my future, mate. Don't stress, mate. Sleep easy.'

The truth is few will rest easy ahead of this game. It is too big. It is all or nothing. As Amorim and Postecoglou and their players headed back to their hotels, the blurred images of haunted men still twitched and flitted across the screens at the Guggenheim. And those voices still hummed angrily in the darkness.

Both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski will sit out Wednesday night's final

There is another area of the team that Postecoglou, however, can rely on

LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?

If Ange Postecoglou is to deliver Tottenham's first trophy for 17 years on Wednesday, he must beat Manchester United without two of his most creative players.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski would have been at the heart of Postecoglou's plan to take Spurs to Europa League glory in Bilbao but both have knee injuries.

The attacking midfield duo have delivered many of the best bits in a dire season; Maddison with his swagger and eye for a killer pass, Kulusevski with his relentless running and drive.

They are two of only three Spurs players to reach double figures for both goals and assists in all competitions this season, with 44 between them. The other is Son Heung-min and even he is a doubt for the game having just returned from a foot injury.

Maddison and Kulusevski played key roles in each of Spurs' three wins over United this season. Kulusevski scored in the 3-0 league win at Old Trafford and added another in the 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final thriller, and Maddison bagged the only goal at home in February, dictating that game with his smart movement that dragged United's players out of position.

Spurs have played five games in the league and Europe this season without both Kulusevski and Maddison in the starting line-up. In the only two they won, Kulusevski came on at half-time.

So, how does Postecoglou win in Bilbao without them? This is where Spurs' underlapping full backs — Pedro Porro and Djed Spence or Destiny Udogie — will be crucial in exploiting Ruben Amorim's three-man defence, as they were in February's 1-0 win.

In that game, only centre back Ben Davies touched the ball more than full backs Porro and Spence, with most of the pair's touches deep in the United half.

On the right, Porro already shoulders much of Spurs' creative burden — only Kulusevski has created more chances for Spurs this season and the Spaniard has played nearly 100 more passes into the penalty area in the league than any of his team-mates.

On the left, Udogie or Spence will make darting runs into the channels while the wingers stay high and wide to stretch United's back five and pin them back.

If Brennan Johnson on one side and Son, Wilson Odobert or Mathys Tel on the other can pull United's wing backs wide, they will open up space for Porro and probably Udogie to isolate centre backs Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, hardly the quickest defenders in a foot race.

They did this in Spurs' win in February. Early in the second half, Son stayed wide and drew his man, then played in Spence who was charging into the space behind. He left Noussair Mazraoui for dead before driving into the box to set up a chance.

This season, Tottenham average more goals, shots and expected goals (xG) per game against teams who play a back three than against four-man defences. They do, however, concede more of them as well.

That is where the absence of Maddison and Kulusevski, and a focus instead on attacking in wide areas, may help Spurs become more solid in midfield.

Without the attacking pair, Postecoglou is expected to start with a trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr. Bentancur has made more interceptions per game than any other midfielder who has played at least 900 league minutes this term, and Sarr — who will also make smart late runs into the box — and Bissouma are excellent at winning the ball back.

Against a United midfield that is likely to have Casemiro's ageing legs in it, that trio will look to outnumber and dominate United physically. They will also give extra attention to Bruno Fernandes, the United player most capable of turning this final on its head.

Maddison and Kulusevski would have made a difference in Bilbao but Postecoglou still has enough weapons at his disposal. Spurs have beaten United on three occasions this season — now they just need to do it one more time.

Manchester United and Tottenham's Europa League final is worth as much as a minor nation's economy.

Next week the slumbering giants will meet in Bilbao for the chance to add a varnish of glory to their utterly dispiriting seasons.

There's no escaping it: they've both had torrid domestic campaigns. So bad, in fact, with United 16th and Spurs 17th, that this is the worst Europa League or UEFA Cup final in history based on league position.

The pressure on Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou is enormous - more so the latter, perhaps, after his bold statement back in September. 'I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year,' he said. Now follow that up.

But this isn't just about pride, heritage, sparing blushes. In the modern game, it's also about stone cold cash. Or money transferred into the club's digital coffers, rather.

Winning the Europa League final is likely worth around £100million, potentially up to £152m, and at minimum around £50m. With that sort of wonga, Sir Jim Ratcliffe might even consider paying for the flights home. But how is it worth a nine-figure sum?

The prize money for winning the final is relatively modest, but it's a good start: £10.95m.

United have already accrued around £9.3m from their progression and individual wins along the way, so adding almost £11m to that makes it the sort of money which can pay for a signing in the summer.

Losing in the final of the Europa League sees quite a plummet down to £5.9m in the final.

Where the real financial value of winning comes from is by the golden egg every club wishes they could guarantee: qualification for the Champions League.

'A good season in the Champions League can be worth far in excess of £100m,' football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently told BBC Sport.

'By the time you combine gate receipts, sponsor bonuses and the prize money available, the numbers involved are eye-watering.'

And that's really why the Europa League is worth so much - it's a gateway to the Champions League.

Every club that qualifies for the league phase earns an automatic windfall of £15.7m in prize money - even if they lose every match and finish dead last.

But a win in the league phase is worth £1.8m, and a draw is worth £600,000. So, if you manage to win every group game, you'd earn yourself a pretty £14.m - almost as much as the total Europa League final prize money for this season.

Not only that, but every position in the league phase is worth £230,000. The team who finished bottom this season, Young Boys, will have earned £230,000. The club above them Slovan Bratislava, £460,000.

This pattern continues up to the club who finished first in the league phase, Liverpool, who were handed £8.3m for that achievement.

Moreover, you're given a bonus of £1.7m for finishing in the top eight of the league phase, and around £0.85 for finishing ninth to 16th.

We're not done there - you're also handed a qualification bonus of £9.3m for reaching the last 16.

So, what are we up to so far? If you win the Europa League final, then win every group game and finish top in the league phase, you'll have banked £44.3m based on this year's finances - and that's before we even get to the big money!

From there, the rewards rise stratospherically. Reaching the quarter-finals is worth an extra £10.5m, the semis are worth £12.6m, and making the final gives another boost of £16.6m.

If you go on and win the final, you bank an extra £5.5m compared to the runners-up.

Phew. Take a breath. So, if United or Spurs win the Europa League final, then embark on a magical journey to winning the Champions League final, then based on this year's figures, that would provide a windfall of... £89.5m.

And that's before we've even touched matchday income or sponsorship deals. See how this adds up?

Speaking to BBC Sport, football finance expert Maguire estimated that it would be feasible for Man United to bank £6m in matchday revenue per Champions league home match.

That's because this season, their average across competitions has been £5.2m per match, and they're bringing in a five per cent ticket price rise, plus it's the Champions League, so other revenue streams are likely to increase.

At a minimum of four home games that would be £24m, then, but if they went all the way, they could be banking £48m in matchday revenue.

Tottenham's average gate yield is around £4.9m, so they could earn between £19.6m and £39.2m from Champions League home games.

Alongside that, United and Spurs will have individual partnerships which may have incentives for the competitions they qualify for - or penalties in the case of failure.

For example, United are set to face a £10m penalty from Adidas in lost income on their 10-year kit deal every time they miss out on Europe's top table.

If you then also add on qualification for next season's Super Cup, there's an extra £3.4m, then winning that there's an extra £0.85m.

Now, we could take this even further, and visualise the dream scenario for United and Spurs where they win next season's Champions League, as we already have, and add on the potential revenue from subsequent Club World Cup and Super Cup campaigns, but we'd probably be being a bit ridiculous there.

But if we're counting the Europa League triumph, then the potential earnings it gives for next season, plus avoiding the £10m dock from Adidas in the case of United, then that would add up to around £165.1m.

That's more than the GDP of the world's smallest economies, Tuvalu and Nauru.

But even if they flop in the Champions League, losing every single game, they'd still be earning £50.65m from the Europa League win, broadcast revenue, and gate receipts (this would be different for Spurs).

The rewards for players will be handsome if they make the Champions League. Casemiro's wages would rise 25 per cent from £375,000 to £500,000, according to the Daily Star.

But failure to win could entail wage cuts - as The Athletic reported, Andre Onana was apparently 'shocked' to see his wage slashed by 25 per cent this campaign after the club failed to reach the Champions League.