Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Experts say there is a 'clear answer'
Is it better to shower in the morning or at night?
The Australian became the first manager to win any major silverware for Spurs since 2008 - and the first to bring a European trophy back to Tottenham for some 41 years - with Wednesday night’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao, sealed by Brennan Johnson’s scrappy goal shortly before half-time.
Such a memorable triumph came despite Spurs’ current domestic struggles under Postecoglou that sees them sit 17th in the table with just one match left to play this season, at home to Brighton on Sunday, having suffered 21 top-flight defeats so far this term - a club record in the Premier League era.
The former Celtic manager’s position still appears subject to doubt despite Tottenham’s famous night at San Mames as chairman Daniel Levy faces a huge decision, though his players clearly want him to stay put.
"Look, it's not up to me or the players, but we just have to look at the facts.
"At the fact that we haven't won in 17 years and this is the day we finally won it. It's the manager who wins the trophy, so we see what's going to happen."
Guglielmo Vicario was in agreement with his skipper, the goalkeeper believing that Postecoglou has done a brilliant job for Tottenham despite their dreadful Premier League showing this season.
"Yeah, of course,” Vicario said when asked if he wanted Postecoglou to remain at Spurs. “He's my gaffer, he's the person who decided to bring me to this football club.
"I'm very happy for him, for what we achieved altogether. It's a brilliant night, he deserves this a lot. He drove us brilliantly this season. It's a big credit to him."
Tottenham’s match-winner Johnson called for a “mic drop” moment from Postecoglou as his much-maligned statement about always winning a trophy in his second season in charge at clubs remarkably rang true in Bilbao.
“He’s done his job,” Johnson said. “He said he wins in his second year and he has. If there was ever time for a mic drop, it’s now so I will be looking forward to his interview.
“I can’t thank the manager enough for how much trust he has had in us because some of the performances this season haven’t been good enough.
“Especially in the Europa League, he has this really good way of getting everyone up for it and today it showed.”
Ange Postecoglou played a video clip to his Tottenham players before the Europa League final which he believes “inspired them to win”.
Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of a tense final at San Mames, with the full-time whistle sparking wild celebrations from Tottenham fans and players.
After the match had ended and the players had completed media responsibilities and celebrated in the dressing room, they returned to the team bus, which took them to a late-night party where they joined their families.
Speaking to his players and to their friends and family, the Spurs head coach said: “I just want to say that I’ve made a big theme for us as a group about family this year [and] how important family is.
“These boys, I’m so proud of them, and the staff. They’ve been the best family could ever be associated with.
“But more importantly, it’s everyone in this round and how you have helped these boys become champions. They truly deserve it. They are outstanding people, not just outstanding players. I couldn’t be prouder to be their manager.
“I want everyone to enjoy tonight and what it means, because you all - every single one of you - deserve it, from the bottom of my heart.
“I have never been prouder to be a manager of a football club than [to be] manager of these players, and the people with them.”
Postecoglou added: “I played a video before the game. It inspired them to win this game today.
Tottenham have secured their first European trophy for 41 years after beating Manchester United in Bilbao to win the Europa League.
It was a largely forgettable final, with little in the way of chances and quality, as a Brennan Johnson goal just a few minutes before half-time proved to be the winner in a 1-0 victory.
Spurs defended deep for much of the second-half and invited the pressure from United, with Micky van de Ven forced into a sensational acrobatic clearance on his own line.
They held their nerve, though, on what will go down as the club’s finest night in recent history.
Ange Postecoglou declared earlier this season that he always wins a trophy in his second year at a club and he has delivered on that, leading Spurs to a first piece of silverware since 2008.
Spurs host Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season this weekend and will finish 17th in the table if they do not better United’s result against Aston Villa, but that will be of no concern to the club’s supporters.
Instead, the attention will be on celebrating the long wait for a trophy finally coming to an end.
Man United were not going to hold a trophy parade if they won the final, but Spurs already have plans in place to mark their victory.
An open-top bus parade will take place this Friday, May 23, with fans set to line the streets of north London.
Plans are yet to be confirmed but the expectation is for a 3pm start at Edmonton Green, with the bus then traveling down Fore Street and the High Road, going past the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The parade will then continue down Lansdowne Road, along Willoughby Lane and Northumberland Park, before coming to an end at around 4:30pm.
The Spurs players and staff will get off the bus and gather on a stage outside the stadium at approximately 5pm, when they will again lift the trophy.
Two beleaguered clubs battle to save their seasons in Bilbao
English showdown: Tottenham will take on Man United in the Europa League final
Getty
Matt Verri
COMMENTS
Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham and Manchester United tonight face off in the Europa League final as two beleaguered clubs battle to put a very positive spin on an otherwise miserable season.
Bilbao plays host to the Premier League’s 16th- and 17th-placed teams. Spurs are eyeing their first trophy since 2008 and attempting to deliver on Ange Postecoglou’s promise to once again win silverware in his second season at a club.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW TOTTENHAM VS MAN UNITED LIVE!
Even European glory might not be enough to save the Australian’s job, but Spurs have the chance to end their long trophy drought and secure a return to the Champions League.
United, meanwhile, are 16th in the domestic standings and also need to win this competition if they are to be playing Champions League football next season.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Man United is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off tonight, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The match will take place at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
Scene is set: San Mames Stadium
Getty Images
Where to watch Tottenham vs Man United
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick in Bilbao.
Tottenham vs Man United team news
Tottenham will be without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall after all three were ruled out for the rest of the season with injuries. The trio have travelled with the squad, along with longer-term absentee Radu Dragusin.
Read More
Tottenham vs Man Utd LIVE: Europa League final updates and latest score
Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal in Gyokeres bid battle; Chelsea want Delap
Why Tottenham have forced Man Utd into Europa League final kit change
Sponsored
Meal2Deal: on a mission to make food poverty history
Spurs captain Heung-min Son is expected to start the game after returning from injury against Crystal Palace and then starting against Aston Villa, while Postecoglou has confirmed Pape Matar Sarr is ‘fine’.
Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro are all expected to be involved for Manchester United after training ahead of the game and joining the travelling party. Ruben Amorim said: “They are limited for their minutes in the game but they can help us to win the game.”
Jonny Evans was also in the group, but Matthijs de Ligt’s hopes of featuring appear to be over after a no-show at Carrington. Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for some time.
Tottenham will be without James Maddison for the Europa League final
Getty Images
Tottenham vs Man United prediction
It is difficult to know what to expect from these two clubs, who have been so poor domestically but then turned up when necessary in the Premier League.
Spurs have won all three matches between the sides this season and have not lost to United since October 2022.
However, Amorim’s side have largely delivered in the big games, taking points off the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, and they can perhaps be relied upon to be more solid in what is set to be an incredibly tense final.
Man United to win, 2-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
This will be the first time the two clubs have met in Europe since Manchester United’s 4-3 aggregate win in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.
Tottenham wins: 57
Draw: 51
Man United wins: 96
Tottenham vs Man United match odds
Tottenham to lift the trophy: 6/5
Man United to lift the trophy: 4/6
MORE ABOUT
How to watch Tottenham vs Manchester United for FREE: TV channel and live stream for Europa League final today
How to watch Tottenham vs Man Utd for FREE: TV channel and live stream
Bilbao hosts an all-Premier League showdown of huge importance for both clubs
Tottenham and Manchester United will do battle for the Europa League trophy
AFP via Getty Images
Tottenham vs Manchester United LIVE!
This season's Europa League winners will be crowned tonight in an all-English final between Tottenham and Manchester United. Whilst it has been a Premier League campaign to forget for both sides, they have impressed on the European stage and are in the final on merit.
Spurs have, arguably, saved their best performances of the season for the Europa League knockout phase after beating Eintracht Frankfurt away from home and then getting the better of Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final. Man United, meanwhile, are still the only unbeaten side in European competition. Their route to Bilbao has already seen them record a win in Bilbao, whilst the dramatic comeback quarter-final second leg win over Lyon will go down in history as one of Old Trafford's special nights.
A massive game for both teams and not only will the winners get their hands on European silverware, but qualification for next season's Champions League is the additional reward. Follow the Europa League final LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at San Mames!
Tottenham vs Manchester United latest news
Tottenham's route to the Europa League final
After sealing a top-eight finish in the league phase of the Europa League this season, Spurs received a bye into the last-16.
They had to overturn a first-leg deficit against AZ to progress, beating Eintracht Frankfurt and then Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively.
AFP via Getty Images
AP
Getty Images
Will Tottenham or Man United have to qualify for Champions League?
The winner of the final will become the latest Premier League side to book their place in next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool and Arsenal have already done so after wrapping up a top-five finish, and they will be joined by three of Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
There will therefore be six Premier League clubs in the competition next season, as a result of the rule that the Europa League winners earn a place in the top tier of European competition.
Full story here!
Getty Images
Tottenham to 'overwhelm' Bruno Fernandes in Europa League final
Ange Postecoglou urged his Tottenham players to “overwhelm” Bruno Fernandes in the Europa League final.
Spurs take on Manchester United on a huge night in Bilbao, as they go in search of a first piece of silverware since 2008 and a first European trophy in 41 years.
In a largely miserable season for Ruben Amorim’s side, Fernandes has been the standout player and Postecoglou made it clear Spurs must pay him particularly attention.
Read more here!
Manchester United via Getty Imag
Ange speaks pre-match
Ange Postecoglou has mentioned "running power" will be key tonight.
How many Europa League final tickets were Tottenham and Manchester United given?
The San Mames holds a capacity of just over 53,000, but as ever that has not just been split equally between the two clubs in the final.
The ticket allocation for Tottenham and Man United is 14,770, all of which were quickly snapped up.
UEFA’s website states that 41,000 tickets have been made available to "fans and the general public", suggesting just over 10,000 have been handed out in the ballot to neutrals.
The remaining 12,000 or so will be given out as UEFA see fit, largely to sponsors.
Read more here!
Getty Images
Dan Kilpatrick at San Mames
Not starting Son, his captain and talisman, is a huge call from Postecoglou and contrasts with Mauricio Pochettino's decision to start Harry Kane after injury in the 2019 Champions League Final.
Richarlison has earned a spot with disciplined displays in both legs against Bodo/Glimt, while Son's legs could be decisive from the bench.
But the Korean is a difference-maker on his day, and that could be decisive in a cagey game.
Sir Alex Ferguson is here!
Royalty has arrived in Bilbao as Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably, the greatest ever manager, is here for the Europa League final!
Getty Images
Man United changes
Just the one change to the Manchester United team that started against Chelsea last time out as Leny Yoro is passed fit and he replaces Victor Lindelof in central defence.
Elsewhere, Joshua Zirkzee is named on the bench after making a quicker than expected recovery from a hamstring injury.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
Tottenham changes
It is 10 changes from the Tottenham side that started the 2-0 loss at Aston Villa last Friday.
However, it’s a team that reflects how Spurs usually set up in the Europa League.
The big news is captain Heung-min Son is only on the bench, whilst Pape Matar Sarr is fit enough to start in midfield.
Manchester United team in full
Manchester United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Amad, Mount; Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Amass, Dalot, Evans, Heaven, Lindelof, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Latest updatesOlder updates
MORE ABOUT
The big question for Ange Postecoglou in picking his Tottenham XI for the Europa League final is how to mitigate the absence of his three most creative midfielders in Bilbao.
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison (both knee) and Lucas Bergvall (ankle) will miss the meeting with Manchester United, leaving Postecoglou with a creative void at No10.
Pape Matar Sarr is fit after being forced off in Friday's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa with discomfort in his back and could line up in a midfield three ahead of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma.
Winger Wilson Odobert has played centrally in the last two league matches and is also another option to deputise at the tip of midfield.
Postecoglou, though, used a 4-4-2 system at Villa Park, with Odobert and Mathys Tel up front, which may hint at his plans for United.
With a slight change of system, Richarlison could partner Dominic Solanke in a front two, with Brennan Johnson and fit-again captain Heung-min Son on the wings. Solanke's ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play make him a potentially good fit to drop into the No10 position.
The rest of Postecoglou's XI is easy to predict, assuming no-one in the squad is carrying a knock.
Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are set to return to the side to make up a back five, with Bentancur and Bissouma expected to be ahead of them.
If, as seems unlikely, Son is deemed best as an impact sub, Richarlison or Tel could play from the left but the Korean declared himself fit and "ready" to go on Tuesday, with Postecoglou describing his availability as "massive".
The stage is set for the Europa League final, with Tottenham and Manchester United ready to face off at the Estadio de San Mames in Bilbao.
The two sides come into the tie in similar situations, with under-pressure managers searching for redemption after dismal league campaigns. Spurs will come into the tie sitting 17th domestically, one point shy of United in 16th, but both could still qualify for the Champions League with a win.
Should Spurs come out on top, the title would mark their first piece of silverware since lifting the Carling Cup in 2008, providing Ange Postecoglou the chance to write himself into Tottenham folklore despite his dour domestic form.
Both sides are also missing a variety of key players due to injury. While club captain Son Heung-Min is set to start after recovering from a foot injury, Postecoglou has confirmed that Lucas Bergvall is set to miss out with an ankle injury despite travelling to Bilbao with the squad. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are also set to miss out.
For United, key centre-back Matthijs de Ligt will not be able to participate after he missed training ahead of the match, though Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Leny Yoro were all present.
Sport | Football
Tottenham: Son out to change course of Spurs history with victory in Europa League final
The South Korea international is chasing his first title since moving to North London in 2015
Last chance? Son enters his third cup final with Tottenham
AP
Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Heung-min Son believes winning the Europa League would change the "history and mentality" of Tottenham and pave the way for more trophies in the future.
Spurs are aiming to win a first European trophy since 1984 and first piece of silverware in 17 years when they face Manchester United in the Europa League Final here in Bilbao on Wednesday.
Son has been a loser in two previous finals and three semi-finals since joining the club in summer 2015, and believes beating United in Bilbao can set the club on a new and successful course.
"It's going to be a huge moment for us and the boys," Son said. "The first step is the hardest so if we can win that trophy we can change the [club's] mentality and history and continue to compete for other trophies.
"It will be a very special, historic moment. I stayed here ten years and I just want to win the trophy which nobody's done since I've been here. Tomorrow's going to be massive for the club first of all and for the boys. And obviously for me as well."
Son and Ben Davies are the only two survivors from the Spurs squad which lost the 2019 Champions League Final 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, which was followed by a series of difficult years for the club.
Just 25 seconds into the game, Sadio Mane's cross struck Moussa Sissoko's arm and Liverpool were awarded a penalty, which was converted by Mohamed Salah following a VAR review.
Son was among the Spurs players to draw a save from Reds goalkeeper Alisson in a flat game before substitute Divock Origi wrapped up their victory.
Read More
Tottenham XI vs Man United: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup
Postecoglou reveals Spurs wish ahead of final: 'My future is assured'
Man United XI vs Spurs: Predicted lineup and injury latest for Europa League final
Sponsored
Meal2Deal: on a mission to make food poverty history
Son has still not forgotten the early controversy but says he has grown as a player and person since then.
“I still don’t think it was handball! We can’t change it," he said. “Six years ago, I played my first final at professional level and it was very nervous moments and very exciting moments.
“But I was very nervous and couldn’t believe I was in the Champions League final.
“Six years after, obviously, I’m a grown man and experienced and want to prepare in my way, calm.
“There have been changes, so many years, so many different players, and also my role has changed from just a player to the captain of the club, leader of the boys and I just want to help the boys to lift it together. That is my dream.
“Tomorrow I hope we can make a historic day I can never forget."
Son has one year remaining on his Spurs contract and has said he cannot be considered a club legend without winning a trophy.
He conceded that Wednesday could be his last chance to do so in a Spurs shirt but pointed out that the club could be back in the Champions League next season if they win.
"The future we never know," he said. "We might play next year in the Champions League. Or in the final. You never know."
But the chance I have is real, it’s a fact, the Europa League final. I'm just not thinking of anything else.
"It could be my last chance or there could be another chance. Just want to concentrate on the winning and lifting the trophy with the boys.”
Son played 74 minutes of Spurs' 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Friday night on his first start in five weeks due to a foot injury.
"I'm ready," he said. "Obviously I'm back from injury, it was my first game against Crystal Palace [from the bench] and I played around 70 minutes against Villa. I didn't expect to play that long but I managed to play.
"Physically I'm ready to go and the boys are ready to go for the biggest game of the season."
MORE ABOUT