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Europa League final: Tottenham WAGs pictured flying out to Bilbao ahead of winner-takes-all tie against Man United

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Europa League final: Tottenham WAGs pictured flying out to Bilbao ahead of winner-takes-all tie against Man Un - Daily Mail
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Tottenham players' WAGs were pictured flying out to Bilbao ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday night.

A picture was posted to Instagram by Ioana Stan, the girlfriend of Spurs defender Radu Dragusin, before she jetted off to the Spanish city to support the Lilywhites.

While she was spotted jetting off to the Basque Country to cheer on Ange Postecoglou's men, she will have to contend with her partner being unavailable for the crunch encounter.

Ioana joined Dragusin in London after he signed for Spurs mid-way through last season in the January transfer window.

She has previously posted pictures of her adjusting to life in England by playing the Tottenham Monopoly board game.

An aspiring architect who has been studying at university, Ioana has been featured on Dragusin's Instagram page since 2021.

He has been absent since tearing his ACL in the earlier rounds of the competition against Elfsborg.

Dragusin had started all of Tottenham's previous 14 Premier League games before suffering that setback earlier on in the season.

He had also started 21 out of 22 games for Spurs in all competitions between October 30 and January 26, coming on after 15 minutes in the other.

The game has an added layer of significance for both United and Spurs given that only the winner of the tie can secure Champions League football next season.

With the two teams sitting in 16th and 17th place in the Premier League respectively, one of them will miss out entirely on European football in 2025-26.

However, the winner of the Europa League is automatically granted entry into Europe's elite club competition for the following campaign.

Ahead of the game, a supercomputer has predicted which side will come out on top in the contest.

The winner was generated by simulating the entire competition 1,000 times.

For each simulation, the code recorded where each team finished in the table and their likelihood of winning the trophy after each stage.

The results were then converted into percentages, showing the probability of each team finishing in each position in the league.

For the Europa League final showpiece at San Mames, AceOdds backed Tottenham to win 3-2 and lift a trophy for the first time since 2008.

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Ange Postecoglou insists his 'job is done' at Tottenham and he will leave without regret if Europa League final is his last game in charge - as he boasts of winning trophies 'wherever' he goes

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Ange Postecoglou insists his 'job is done' at Tottenham and he will leave without regret if Europa League fina - Daily Mail
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Ange Postecoglou will take charge of his 100th Tottenham match on Wednesday

The Australian boss is hoping to pick up Tottenham's first trophy in 17 years

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

Ange Postecoglou will move on without regret if the Europa League final, his 100th game in charge of Tottenham, proves to be his penultimate in the job.

The prospect of the sack will not distract him from what is at stake tomorrow against Manchester United, he said, although he made it clear he wanted to carry on with the work he has started.

'I've been in this position before where the big game was the last game I managed,' said Postecoglou, sounding resigned to his fate in Bilbao, as he listed teams he had left on a high, including Australia, Celtic and Brisbane Roar.

'It's not unusual territory for me. I qualified for a World Cup and left. Won the Treble with Celtic and left. Won at Brisbane and left. It's actually more common than you think.

'I've always navigated it pretty well. I'm pretty good at just making sure all my focus is on giving this football club the best opportunity it's had for a while to do something special.

'Whatever happens after that, I'm very, very comfortable that I'll continue on trying to win trophies wherever I am.'

Postecoglou appears increasingly likely to leave the post after two years, regardless of the result against United, with Spurs already embarking upon into the task of finding a successor.

Despite this successful Europa League campaign, they languish 17th in the Premier League with one game remaining, at home against Brighton on Sunday, in another season devastated by injuries.

He insists, however, there has been progress and that bringing home Tottenham's first trophy since 2008 and their first in Europe since 1984 would be confirmation of that.

'I don't think my job is done here,' said Postecoglou. 'I really feel like we are building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate that. So, I still think there is work to be done.

'It is quite obvious with the challenges we've had this year, which I think are well chronicled, but there is some reasoning in the context of that, but also there has been some growth and I would like to see through.

'Whether that happens or not is not that important right now, but I don't think this job is finished, far from it. I certainly feel there is some growth there that we can take this club to where it needs to be.'

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Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale and Glenn Hoddle slum it on budget Spanish airline as TNT Sports' pundits make last minute dash to Bilbao ahead of Europa League final

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Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale and Glenn Hoddle slum it on budget Spanish airline as TNT Sports' pundits make last - Daily Mail
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TNT Sports' pundits were spotted slumming it on a last minute budget flight to Bilbao ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League final clash.

Around 80,000 fans have started to descend on Bilbao using any means possible including planes, trains, cars and even a boat.

And it is no different for TNT Sports' pundits, who were forced to fly out to the Basque city on a less than luxurious route.

Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale and Glenn Hoddle, who will be hosting the channel's coverage of the final on Wednesday alongside Paul Scholes, were seen on a Vueling flight from London on Tuesday afternoon.

They were joined by jubilant Tottenham fans who were loudly chanting 'Spurs are on their way to Bilbao' throughout the journey.

Vueling, a Spanish low-cost airline, provides cheap routes to European cities.

But it appears TNT still weren't keen to fork out extra on seating the pundits next to each other, with the former United and Tottenham stars spread out across the plane.

Despite being surrounding by opposition fans, United legend Ferdinand appeared comfortable on the two hour flight, dozing off on his window seat while fans noisily sang.

Bale, who will hope his old club Spurs can pick up their first piece of silverware since 2008, tucked his baseball cap over his eyes and spent most of the journey fixated on his laptop.

While, Hoddle, who won two FA Cups with Tottenham and managed the north Londoners for two years, slept in his aisle seat for most of the flight.

A fellow passenger told MailOnline: ‘I couldn't believe it when they turned up on our budget flight.

'Everyone was thrilled and singing at them. They took it in good spirits, even though they must be used to more luxury and quiet than this when they travel.'

Ferdinand was criticised for his commentary during United's stunning Europa League quarter-final win against Lyon, with broadcasting legend Clive Tyldesley accusing the ex-United star of turning TNT's coverage into a club fan channel.

But the 46-year-old is set to be the busiest pundit of the lot as he will be offering his views on the Champions League final on May 31 as well.

Manchester United and Tottenham have both endured miserable domestic campaigns and sit in lowly 16th and 17th place in the Premier League.

Fans who are hoping to see their season's revived with a European trophy have traveled using obscure routes via far away destinations and come up with other ingenious methods to help minimise the cost of getting to the game.

United fan and YouTuber Flex charted his journey on X on Tuesday morning, and he started off by taking a plane to Prague.

'Road to Bilbao has began! he posted. '1st stop Prague lol!

'Bring this trophy back & Champions League money to rebuild this squad! YANITED!!!'

After touching down in the Czech capital, Flex gave another update, writing: 'Plane number 2! Madrid bound.'

A group of Spurs supporters decided that heading to Paris first was the best route, as they wrote on X: 'In France, next stop Bilbao.'

Three of the fans were seen clutching a beer as they looked to get into the spirit ahead of what promises to be an exciting but nervy evening for both clubs.

One seafaring chap posted a picture of a boat in a canal on Sunday morning, writing: 'En-Route to Bilbao. Over bay of Biscay, should arrive Tuesday night.'

On Monday morning, the supporter gave an update with a video from the Bay of Biscay, claiming there was 'better phone signal on the moon'.

'One hundred per cent you're sinking in that,' warned one follower on X.

While up to 80,000 supporters are believed to be making the journey to the Spanish city, each club has been given an allocation of just 15,000, meaning thousands are arriving ticketless.

Exteberria Park, around 45 minutes on foot from the ground, is being converted into a gigantic Manchester United fan zone with 56,000 pints of lager being imported, according to local outlet El Correo.

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim's men were seen arriving at Manchester Airport on Tuesday ahead of their season-defining clash with Tottenham.

Joshua Zirkzee shared a snap from his plane seat alongside captain Bruno Fernandes with an insightful one-word message for fans: 'Bilbao'.

The Dutchman is one of three stars who handed United a boost in the morning by training along with Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot.

All three had been fitness doubts but they have been included in Amorim's travelling squad for a game which could be worth more than £100million to the victors.

Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are the only two first-team stars to miss out through injury, while youngster Chido Obi is ineligible.

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'I am NOT a clown': Ange Postecoglou rages at journalist as Tottenham boss hits back at claims his future is in doubt ahead of Europa League final showdown with Man United

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'I am NOT a clown' - Ange Postecoglou rages at journalist as Tottenham boss hits back at claims his future is - Daily Mail
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Tottenham take on Man United in Wednesday's Europa League final in Bilbao

Ange Postecoglou tears into journalist who said defeat would make him a 'clown'

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

Ange Postecoglou turned his ire on a reporter during a tetchy press conference ahead of Tottenham's Europa League final against Man United.

The two struggling Premier League sides will go face to face in Bilbao on Wednesday night knowing that victory would not only see them lift silverware but also grant them a place in next season's Champions League.

It is a prize which would go a long way towards rescuing what has been a miserable campaign for both clubs. Man United are enduring their worst ever Premier League season and sit 16th in the table with 18 defeats. And Spurs' domestic form has been even worse — they have lost three more matches and are a point below their rivals in 17th.

That has led to speculation that Postecoglou could face the axe as Tottenham manager with reports this week claiming that the club were lining up Ajax boss Francesco Farioli as a potential replacement.

Delivering Tottenham's first piece of silverware for 17 years — the 2008 League Cup — could prove the difference between tragedy and triumph for the Australian in his second season at the club.

But when asked by Dan Kilpatrick of The Standard whether he is 'walking a fine line' between a successful and disastrous campaign, Postecoglou couldn't hide his anger.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Standard journalist had claimed in his column that defeat against Man United would make Postecoglou 'a clown' and the former Celtic boss did not take kindly to that suggestion.

'That depends on your outlook Dan," said Postecoglou.

'But I'll tell you one thing, irrespective of tomorrow, I'm not a clown. I never will be, mate.

'Really disappointed you used such terminology about a person who for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to be in a position where he's leading a club in a European major competition.

'For you to suggest that, somehow, us not being successful means that I'm a clown, not really sure how to answer that question.'

Postecoglou has spoken proudly of his record of always winning a trophy in his second season at a club.

He won the Australian title with both South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar and the Japanese league with Yokohama F. Marinos — all in his second season or second full season in charge.

Postecoglou also won the Asian Cup two years after becoming Australia boss — and the Scottish championship in both seasons with Celtic.

Even if he were to repeat the trick on Wednesday night, that may not be enough to save his job with Mail Sport reporting last month that the club's European fate would not be the determining factor in Postecoglou's future.

But the 59-year-old insisted he is losing no sleep over the speculation.

'My future is assured mate, don't... I wouldn't be the first person who changes jobs mate, we all change jobs, I'm sure you've had more than one job,' he said.

'My future's assured. I've got a beautiful family, I've got a great life, I'll keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is.

'So, don't worry about my future, mate. My future is not tied with anything, my future is assured.

'Provided, God willing, my health remains, my beautiful family is beside me, my friends, there's nothing wrong with my future mate.'

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Patrice Evra opens up on the heartbreaking reason why Man United legend will MISS Europa League final against Tottenham

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Patrice Evra opens up on the heartbreaking reason why Man United legend will MISS Europa League final against - Daily Mail
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Patrice Evra has shared the heatbreaking reason why he will not be able to fly to Bilbao to watch Manchester United take on Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final.

Ruben Amorim's side will be looking to resurrect a stuttered season at San Mames after an impressive European campaign has kept them in touch for silverware.

The Red Devils will face off with their Premier League rivals under uncannily similar circumstances, with the clubs sitting 16th and 17th in the domestic standings with one game each left to play.

But the Manchester club could yet book a spot in next year's Champions League draw, and fans in their number are flocking to Basque region to watch the team take their chances.

However, Man United legend Evra will not be among them, with the former defender sharing his tragic reasoning on social media on Tuesday.

'Hi guys. I was supposed to come to Bilbao tomorrow for the final in person to show you support, sharing my positive energy,' the France international said in a video shared to Instagram.

'But unfortunately, I have to go to Paris for the funeral of my sister on the same day of the final.

'She was 56, fighting against the cancer for 20 years,' Evra, who is one of 23 siblings, added.

Alongside his touching statement - which was met with scores of condolences and well-wishes from his followers - Evra sent a rallying cry to Amorim and his players in lieu of his appearance at San Mames.

'Resilience, fighting. That's what I want from you guys tomorrow. Just fight, bleed for this shirt,' Evra continued.

'For the fans, for the staff, for the people in Manchester, for the fans all around the world, there is no excuse. This is your duty tomorrow.

'I think your coach is someone I support, someone I believe in. Even if we win or we lose, give something guys.

'It's gonna be a tough game. Tottenham also has a lot to lose. They are in the same position in the league like us.

'They didn't win a trophy, so this is a massive chance for them. But this is no excuse. We are Man United.

'Do you know how many fans gonna travel around the world and believe they're gonna celebrate after the game because they believe in you guys, no matter what.

'Because we can do it guys. So like I say, bleed for this shirt, the history. Think about the people, your family or whatever, there is no way other than to win.

'Don't be selfish. It's a qualification in the Champions League, so we can prepare for the future next year.

'So guys, you know, I will be far away. I'm counting on you.'

As well as Evra's call to arms, Man United were handed a major boost in the form of the return to training of three crucial stars.

Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, and Diogo Dalot were all involved in the final session on English soil before the team jetted to Bilbao on the eve of the final.

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Man United and Tottenham disabled fans fume at 'insulting' treatment for Europa League Final after being given just 26 wheelchair spaces each in 50,000 seater stadium - falling well below UEFA's own g

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Man United and Tottenham disabled fans fume at 'insulting' treatment for Europa League Final after being given - Daily Mail
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Disabled Manchester United and Tottenham fans have hit out at the 'insulting' number of wheelchair and accessible tickets available for their Europa League final clash.

A mere 26 wheelchair spaces and 15 'easy access' seats, which provide added room for those with mobility issues, are available out of either side's 15,000 allocation at Athletic Bilbao's 53,000 seater San Mames Stadium.

Wednesday's final provides United and Spurs with an opportunity to give supporters some cheer after enormously disappointing domestic campaigns, but disabled fans have been left bemused as their allocations falls significant of even UEFA's own guidelines.

UEFA recommends that a stadium of San Mames's capacity, which is being reduced to 49,600 for the final, should have 236 wheelchair spaces and 236 'amenity and easy access seats'.

Even at its usual capacity, it only holds 208 wheelchair and 102 easy access seats, meaning it does not comply with UEFA guidelines.

Each club should have been given 58 wheelchair spaces and 28 easy access seats with the final's capacity, according to disabled sports charity Level Playing Field.

Mark Spencer, a member of Spurs Ability, the fan group representing disabled supporters, said the allocation was 'insulting'.

'To say I'm gutted is an understatement, he told BBC Sport. 'I wasn't able to go to Madrid for the Champions League [final] in 2019 and I thought this might be my chance - but Uefa have just not given us the percentage of seating that they should be giving us under their own rules and regulations.

'You feel that you're being prevented from watching football and supporting your team because of a disability so it's quite insulting and very disappointing.

Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association secretary, Rick Clement, said: 'To see that in 2025 we are still not receiving a fair allocation of accessible tickets, which fall short of UEFA's own guidelines, is extremely disappointing and reinforces the fact that disability is often an afterthought.'

SpursAbility co-chair, Rita Egan, said they were 'extremely disappointed' at the allocation.

'The numbers for both fanbases are wholly insufficient,' she said. 'There should at least have been a proportionate distribution of the spaces available at the stadium, in line with the general allocation.'

Tony Taylor, the Chair of Level Playing Field, accused UEFA of 'lacking accountability' and locking supports out of the final.

'Inadequate provisions are set to result in disproportionate exclusion, on a day when fanbases should be united for a celebration,' he said.

'Instead, we have seen another failure from UEFA at a showpiece event. Accountability has been lacking before and now we can see more disregard for disabled fans, which ignores the governing body's own guidance and underutilises the facilities available, without adequate justification.

'We know that there are additional barriers to European travel for many disabled fans. To then have further barriers put in place through ticketing and a lack of facilities, and be disproportionally locked out of occasions like this, is unacceptable.

'I feel for the disabled fans of both clubs who have supported their sides throughout this season and are set to miss out on what could be the highlight.'

Level Playing Field also said it has been in discussion with Chelsea Disabled Supporters' Association about the lack of accessible seating in their Conference League final against Real Betis.

In response to the criticism, UEFA said it was 'committed to ensuring a barrier-free experience for disabled fans and are working hard to improve both standards and experiences related to this.'

'The provision of quality sightlines is a decisive factor when determining whether a seat can be offered at a UEFA club final but we also factor historical demand as this is a way in which we manage to increase the numbers in accordance to demand.

They added: 'For context: For the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final 2024 in Bilbao, we allocated 60 seats and sold 59. For the UEFA Europa League Final 2024 in Dublin, we allocated 93 seats and sold 41.'

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How Spurs prepared for their biggest game in decades: Harry Kane's good luck message, cotton wool, a training-ground collision and a warning from Ange Postecoglou

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Inside the Spurs camp as they prepare for biggest game in decades - Daily Mail
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Via planes, trains and automobiles, Tottenham have arrived in Bilbao for the club's biggest game in decades.

Win, and with their first trophy in 17 years will come the added glory of returning to European football's top table with a spot in the Champions League next season.

Lose, and the number 17 takes on a different dimension - Spurs' league position. Defeat in Spain will make that impossible to ignore, or put down to focusing on Europa League exploits, and manager Ange Postecoglou will almost certainly lose his job.

That, of course, may happen anyway. But Postecoglou has said he always wins a trophy in his second season and intends to deliver on that promise, regardless of whether it is enough to convince Daniel Levy that he is the man to take Spurs on.

There is around £100million riding on Wednesday's final for each club, plus the futures of their managers, Champions League qualification, bragging rights and, of course, a trophy.

Here, MATT BARLOW reveals how Spurs have been preparing for this seismic Spanish clash.

Monday, May 12

The morning after another dismal defeat, this time losing 2-0 at home to soon-to-be FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, and TV, radio and the written press descend on Tottenham’s training centre near Enfield for their Europa League final media day.

Son Heung-min, who returned from injury as a second-half substitute against Palace, talks about his video call with Harry Kane, the former Spurs captain who has won his first major trophy, winning the German title with Bayern Munich. Kane wishes his friend good luck and Son vows to take inspiration from his former strike partner.

Postecoglou, who knows his job is on the line even if he wins Spurs' first trophy for 17 years, jokes about wrapping his players in cotton wool for the week rather than embarking on any of the sort of bonding exercises the players did before the Champions League final. Mauricio Pochettino had his players walking on hot coals and breaking arrows against their throats in 2019.

This time, with a much tighter schedule, the injury problems that have plagued Postecoglou are starting to take hold again.

Dejan Kulusevski came off with a knee problem against Palace. The Spurs boss says he is hopeful it is nothing more serious than a knock.

Sergio Reguilon, who has not been selected for the Europa League squad, collides with winger Brennan Johnson in a training game. They are supposed to be on the same team.

Tuesday, May 13

A day off for the players, before they turn their attentions to the Friday night visit to Aston Villa.

Wednesday, May 14

More media activity, with photography and green-screen shots of the players ahead of the final.

Further scans on Kulusevski’s right knee reveal damage to his patella. He has surgery which rules him out of the final.

It is a bitter blow to Spurs, who have lost the three most creative midfielders from their squad. Lucas Bergvall damaged ankle ligaments in training on the eve of the first leg of the semi-final against Bodo/Glimt and James Maddison has been ruled out for three months after injuring knee ligaments in that game.

In South Korea, a story breaks. Son has filed a complaint to the police that he is being blackmailed.

Thursday, May 15

Postecoglou dismisses the Son blackmail story as ‘a legal matter’ - police in the captain's homeland have arrested two people on suspicion of extortion and attempted extortion after demanding money from him to say silent over an alleged pregnancy - and reacts to the Kulusevski injury blow at his pre-match press conference by signposting a weakened team at Villa in the last game before the final.

Postecoglou rails against accusations that he might damage the ‘integrity’ of the Premier League for those competing for the top five.

Bergvall sweeps the club’s player of the year awards despite only starting 11 Premier League games. There’s a message in there for others as well as appreciation for the teenager who also started 10 Europa League games and sparkled in the second half of the season, after a difficult start following his arrival last summer from Djurgarden.

The first team train and travel ahead of the Villa game.

Friday, May 16

As warned, Postecoglou selects a second-string team at Villa. Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert up front, with Mikey Moore on the right and Son on the left.

The only starters with a chance of starting in Bilbao are Son, who needed game time after his injury and played for 74 minutes, and Pape Matar Sarr who came off after 54 minutes complaining of discomfort in his back.

Centre halves Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and left back Destiny Udogie do not make the squad, and instead stay behind in London and train. Pedro Porro and Guglielmo Vicario are unused subs. Midfielder Callum Olusesi, 18, and defender Dante Cassanova, 20, are on the bench.

Spurs lose 2-0. Defeat number 21 in the Premier League and their seventh in the last nine games, with all eyes on the Europa League.

Saturday, May 17

The team doesn’t get back to London until 1.30am and this has been designated as another rest day for most of the players.

All eyes can now turn fully to Bilbao.

Sunday, May 18

There is what Postecoglou calls ‘a strong session’ - the last full blow-out for his first-teamers before the final. And more media commitments, this time for the Premier League rights holders ahead of the final game of the season, at home against Brighton on Sunday.

An interview emerges late from Australian broadcasters Optus Sports, in which the Spurs boss talks about his proud record of winning something in his second season at every club and says he does not regret his decision to remind the world of his success.

'Why would I regret something I’m proud of?' says Postecoglou. 'Live your life as you should, stand up for your achievements and be proud of it. That’s what I do.'

Monday, May 19

Another lighter training session in the morning, lunch and on to the team bus at the training ground to Stansted Airport, with the flight to Bilbao at 3.30pm.

Postecoglou is keen for the extended squad to travel and be part of the occasion, including all the injured players and the youngsters who have featured in the Europa League campaign.

This includes the likes of centre forward Will Lankshear, who made his debut at Ferencvaros in October, scored and was sent off at Galatasaray in November, and has spent the second half of the season on loan at West Brom, and those no longer in the squad such as Fraser Forster.

Spurs land in damp northern Spain just before 7pm local time. They have dinner together in the hotel and a quiet night with plans to train on the pitch after pre-match press conferences on the eve of the game. Their date with destiny awaits.

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Man United stars jet out to Bilbao for Europa League final after being handed triple injury boost ahead of £100m game against Tottenham

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Man United stars jet out to Bilbao for Europa League final after being handed triple injury boost ahead of £10 - Daily Mail
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Manchester United's stars are en route to Bilbao for the Europa League final and looked like they meant business as they boarded the plane on Tuesday afternoon.

Ruben Amorim's men were seen arriving at Manchester Airport ahead of their season-defining clash with Tottenham.

Joshua Zirkzee shared a snap from his plane seat alongside captain Bruno Fernandes with an insightful one-word message for fans: 'Bilbao'.

The Dutchman is one of three stars who handed United a boost in the morning by training along with Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot.

All three had been fitness doubts but they have been included in Amorim's travelling squad for a game which could be worth more than £100million to the victors.

Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are the only two first-team stars to miss out through injury, while youngster Chido Obi is ineligible.

United and Spurs have the chance to salvage their seasons with silverware despite woeful domestic campaigns.

Their divisional placements of 16th and 17th combine to make this the worst Europa League final in history in terms of league position.

Around 80,000 fans are also expected to make the journey out to Bilbao, though the clubs have been allocated just 15,000 tickets each.

Not every supporter will be travelling and staying with the same luxury and ease afforded to the players, though.

Mail Sport reported on Monday how some fans were having to take three-day odysseys, including by personal boat and campervan.

Thousands of police and private security staff will be on duty at the final where three safety rings are being established around the San Mames stadium to separate fans and prevent any incidents.

Officials have warned that supporters without tickets will not get anywhere near the stadium following chaotic scenes at the 2022 Champions League final in Paris between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Many genuine ticket holders were unable to enter while Uefa was also slammed for its organising of the event.

Ahead of Wednesday’s match, Uefa warned Tottenham and Manchester United fans that tickets purchased from touts or third party websites would be cancelled.

European football’s governing body said in a statement: ‘In view of the upcoming UEFA club competition finals, UEFA warns fans not to purchase tickets on the secondary market, from unauthorised third parties, websites, agencies or from touts.

‘Such tickets may be cancelled by UEFA at any time and fans are likely to be refused entry or be ejected from the stadium. In addition, fans may not receive the tickets which they have purchased from these unauthorised third parties.’

Amorim has been handed a boost in the form of his three returning stars: Zirkzee, Yoro, and Dalot.

Dalot has been absent since United's defeat by Wolves last month after picking up a calf injury.

The appearance of Zirkzee is the most surprising given the Dutch international had been ruled out for the season by Amorim after hobbling off during United's 4-1 defeat by Newcastle last month with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Yoro was forced off with a foot injury during United's 2-0 defeat by West Ham at Old Trafford on May 11.

This significantly threatened his participation on Wednesday given he missed more than four months of action earlier this season when he suffered a similar setback in pre-season.

The Frenchman, who joined United from Lille for £52million last summer, subsequently missed the defeat by Chelsea last Friday.

'He had that problem at the beginning of the season,' Amorim had explained about Yoro's latest fitness issue.

'We hope it's not too serious. I don't want to say too much, but maybe it's not a big deal.'

It remains to be seen just what shape the trio are in, but if they are sufficiently fit, Yoro and Dalot would likely start in Amorim's strongest XI, while Zirkzee is expected to be an option off the bench.

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Paddy Power mock Tottenham with fake trophy cabinet delivery

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Paddy Power mock Tottenham with fake trophy cabinet delivery - as Ange Postecoglou's side bid to end 17-year w - Daily Mail
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Paddy Power have delivered a fake trophy to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Their cheeky dig comes just hours before Spurs play in the Europa League final

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

Paddy Power have poked fun at Tottenham by delivering a fake trophy cabinet to their stadium ahead of the team's Europa League final against Manchester United.

Spurs will look to end their 17-year wait for silverware in Wednesday's final, having consistently fallen short of winning trophies in recent years.

Tottenham agonisingly missing out in the latter stages of competitions has become a running joke among rival fanbases, and now Paddy Power have got in on the act.

In the advert released on social media, the Paddy Power spokesman announced: 'In preparation for their Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur have received delivery of a trophy cabinet, in case they actually win the thing.'

One of the supposed deliverymen then sticks the boot in by adding: 'We've designed this trophy cabinet especially for the club. It can take a maximum of one trophy, so we think that makes it futureproof.'

Much of the blame of Spurs' shortcomings has been placed at the feet of chairman Daniel Levy, with fans calling for him to pump more investment into the club or leave.

Paddy Power used this to make another dig at Spurs and Levy, with a second deliveryman joking: 'Well, Daniel Levy has kept the receipt so even if they do lose we'll just refund it and wheel it straight out of there. No harm done.'

Since winning their last trophy - the 2008 League Cup - Spurs have lost three finals.

They were beaten in the League Cup final by Chelsea in 2015 and Manchester City in 2021, while they also came off second best against Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final.

However, there are reasons for Spurs fans to be optimistic that they can win on Wednesday and have the final laugh.

Ange Postecoglou has declared that he 'always' wins silverware in his second season, and he is just one game away from delivering on his promise.

Meanwhile, Spurs also have a very strong recent record against United.

They have not lost to the Red Devils since 2022, and have won all three of their meetings this season.

Source