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
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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."
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The big question for Ange Postecoglou in picking his 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 Tottenham midfielder has travelled to Bilbao with the rest of the squad, sparking rumours that he could make a return from an ankle injury in time to feature on Wednesday night.
However, Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference: "Team news is pretty much the same as last week. No, Lucas isn't available so same as we were as of last week."
On whether Pape Matar Sarr is available, after he came off in the second-half against Aston Villa on Friday night, Postecoglou added: “He’s fine.”
Bergvall has been out since last month’s 5-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and his absence has been exacerbated by further injury issues in the squad.
James Maddison picked up a knee injury in the first leg of the semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt to bring a premature end to this season, while Dejan Kulusevski will also miss the final.
The Swede limped off against Crystal Palace earlier this month and although it was initially suggested that the issue was not serious, a further update revealed Kulusevski required surgery on his right patella.
Postecoglou said last week: “Obviously disappointing news. Initially we thought it wasn't too serious, the medical team were worried about structurally how the knee was. It blew up the day after, he's had surgery and it will put him out for a few months.
Asked if Kulusevski will be ready for the start of next season, the Spurs boss added: “We'll see. I only have basic information in terms of his recovery.”
King, who spent his entire 13-year playing career with Spurs, pointed to the Lilywhites’ flawless record against United this season as a possible psychological leg-up before the game in Bilbao has even begun.
Discussing what he feels will be a “close” final, the 44-year-old said: “Spurs already have three wins over United this season, and that could be huge.”
Ange Postecoglou’s men did the Premier League double over the Red Devils, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in September and then 1-0 at home in February, with a 4-3 victory in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals sandwiched in-between. Indeed, Spurs’ unbeaten run against United currently stands at five matches in total, with their last loss coming prior to the Postecoglou era.
King told BetMGM: “When you know you can beat an opponent, it is a big advantage. I remember the first time we beat Arsenal and Chelsea… it removes the fear factor.
“It’s always in the back of your mind when you have lost to that team. The first goal will be massive, especially if Spurs get it. It will be interesting to see how Manchester United respond to the pressure.”
King believes the availability of “top-class” Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven, who has missed much of the campaign through injury, is another major boost for Tottenham.
“He is such a valuable player and still so young, too,” King said. “Having him back in the side brings confidence to other players and, hopefully, he is at that stage now after his injuries where he can trust his body to play at full throttle again.
“His pace is astonishing and is a huge advantage but his ability on the ball is so impressive as well. In him and [Cristian] Romero, we have two defenders comfortable on the ball, something that’s so important these days.
“Romero can pick the pass between the lines and Van de Ven can stride out with the ball. It’s so impressive – his piece of play in the 3-0 win at United was one of the best bits of football I’ve seen all season.”
Of Ruben Amorim and Co, King said: “Manchester United have been inconsistent, similar to Spurs really. It’s been disappointing domestically but good in Europe. United have good players on their day and Amorim will be desperate to end his first season there with a trophy.”
As for Spurs, he added that “belief has definitely risen” in the north Londoners’ camp as they’ve progressed through the Europa League, culminating in the “massive occasion” of Wednesday’s final that will be “huge” in both the context of this season and the club’s future.
“I think we have played well against good teams, in basic terms,” King said. “Away games are so important in European competition so to be so solid on the road has been a huge advantage.”
He continued: “It has been quite a few years since we lifted a trophy, so to do that here would reinforce the belief moving forward in the group that they are good enough to win major trophies.”
Postecoglou has put full focus on pursuit of European glory and must now deliver it
High stakes: Tottenham’s season and potentially Ange Postecoglou’s future comes down to one match
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One of the messages that Ange Postecoglou has reiterated to his squad in the build-up to the Europa League final is the importance of seizing this opportunity to be agents of change.
Postecoglou has reminded his players that they are on the verge of being the group to end the club's cycle of near-misses and disappointments, and write their names into Tottenham history.
The Australian has referred to the images of previous Spurs greats lining the walls of the stadium and training ground, most of which are now painfully dated, and told the squad that they could be up there alongside Bill Nicholson, Danny Blanchflower, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne et al next season.
Postecoglou's pep talks have not drawn on his own position but if Spurs do win the competition, the same is true for him; he too would be part of Spurs folklore and immediately become one of the most important figures in the club's recent history.
The wretched league season and even Postecoglou's tetchy relationship with supporters, which has felt strained for the best part of a year now, would effectively be memory-holed amid the euphoria of a first European trophy since 1984 and the end of Spurs' 17-year wait for silverware.
Over the last few months, Postecoglou has railed against what he perceives as a gathering of malign forces: supporters seeking to goad him into a reaction; negativity from the media; a lack of public support for Spurs in the punditry class; and even a deafening silence from his bosses on the board.
Ange Postecoglou has the chance to write himself in the Tottenham history books
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A Spurs victory in Bilbao would allow Postecoglou to rise above the alleged naysayers into a position of real strength and be an unequivocal vindication of his approach and everything that has come with it, including writing off the league season.
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The other possibility, however, is that Spurs lose to Manchester United for the first time in four meetings this term, and Postecoglou is remembered as the coach who led the club to their worst-ever Premier League finish in a historically miserable domestic campaign.
In that scenario, he would go down as the manager who oversaw a record 21 defeats (and counting) in a 38-game campaign and, by his own admission, failed to unify a fractured club.
The stakes therefore appear sky-high for Postecoglou on Wednesday night, not least because his future at Spurs inevitably feels wrapped up in the result.
If Spurs fall short and lose a second European final in six years, it would be hard to see the 59-year-old continuing in post beyond the end of the campaign, which falls just four days later with Brighton's visit to north London.
It would be unclear where Postecoglou could go from there; would he be able to get another leading European job based on an impressive fifth-placed finish in his first season and runners-up medal in UEFA's secondary club competition?
Conversely, it would be difficult to imagine Daniel Levy, the club's embattled chairman, ruthlessly dismissing the head coach who delivered an historic trophy, assuming of course that Postecoglou wants to stay on.
Daniel Levy could face tough decision if Spurs win Europa League
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So much of Postecoglou's tenure has felt predicated on mood and vibes, and the energy would be so positive in victory that dismissing the coach might be a tough call, especially as there is no compelling alternative waiting in the wings.
There is a plausible scenario in which Postecoglou triumphantly walks away by mutual consent, a hefty bonus (reported to be worth £2million) in his pocket and his promise of winning something in his second season fulfilled.
In this scenario, he would be a much more attractive proposition to another leading European club as the manager who broke the hoodoo at Spurs, particularly as so many of his predecessors - notably the two most recent, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte - have gone on to suggest it was the club, not them, which was the issue.
As Spurs prepare for Bilbao, Postecoglou is therefore in a strange position, teetering between hero and clown.
He is, incidentally, all too aware of this fine line and rightly pointed out recently that one result should not define him as a coach nor impact his previous achievements.
That, though, is the way the cookie has crumbled for Postecoglou, in part because of choices of his own.
The manager was billed as a risk-taker when he join Spurs, someone prepared to put his neck on the line and do things his way.
While Spurs' football in Europe has not been high-risk during the knockouts, Postecoglou has been ballsy in effectively putting all his eggs in one basket in pursuit of European glory.
His future and status may feel less binary if, say, Spurs had picked up in the league to achieve a healthy mid-table finish once their injury crisis had cleared and reached the last four of the Europa League.
Instead, Postecoglou has rolled the dice, leaving his fate still yet to be decided.
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With Spurs sitting 17th in the Premier League table and United only one place above, it has been a dreadful season for both clubs, and yet there is one final chance for them to end it on a high.
A European trophy and Champions League qualification is on the line in Bilbao, arguably more than either deserve for what they have produced for the majority of the campaign.
Spurs, though, were impressive in coming through their semi-final tie against Bodo/Glimt and can deliver on Ange Postecoglou’s statement earlier in the season that he always wins a trophy in his second year at a club.
Ruben Amorim has cut a more downbeat figure when discussing his side’s struggles, stating ahead of the semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao that “nothing is going to save our season”.
The winner of Wednesday night’s 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.