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Tottenham forward Timo Werner has taken to social media to send a reminder following the club’s Europa League win over Manchester United.

The two clubs met in the final of the competition in Bilbao on Wednesday night. As well as European silverware on the line, there was also a place in next season’s Champions League up for grabs.

Brennan Johnson ’s 42nd minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides on the night, with the full-time whistle prompting celebrations from the Tottenham squad. Werner was amongst those celebrations, despite missing the game through injury.

He was among the injured players who made the trip over to Bilbao with the squad, alongside James Maddison. Werner’s last appearance came back in February in an eight minute cameo against Manchester City in the Premier League.

He played five times in the group stage of the Europa League campaign. But was left out of the UEFA squad for the knockout stages of the competition due to his injury.

Werner picked up a medal before the trophy lift. When back in the changing room, he shared a picture of himself with the medal on his Instagram account, along with two other pictures of him celebrating with Micky van de Ven and Son Heung-min.

In the caption he wrote: “What a team!! [three trophy emojis] Like I said, I came to win titles, Thank you and good night!!”

The German is likely referring to the claim he made when he first joined the club on loan from Red Bull Leipzig in January last year. Speaking at the time to Tottenham’s official website he said: "I've joined a very, very big club.

"We have often played against each other already — it doesn't matter if I was playing for Chelsea or Leipzig, they were always big, big games to play against Spurs. I'm happy to be part of the team and I'm really looking forward to it.

"The manager straight away gave me the feeling that I needed to join and the way the team plays fits me perfectly. After I left the Premier League I missed it because it is the best league in the world.

"When I joined my old club, I said I wanted to be a winner. In the end, we won the Champions League, so it should not be too bad to say I come here to win titles."

The Europa League win has now meant that Werner has met his aim. Although his future at Spurs is uncertain with the 29-year-old due to return to parent club RB Leipzig at the end of his loan deal, although Spurs do have a £8.5 million option to make the move permanent.

Tottenham Hotspur's first fixture of the 2025/26 season has been confirmed after they lifted the Europa League trophy against Manchester United in Bilbao.

In a match of very few chances, Spurs managed to win the European trophy thanks to a Brennan Johnson goal three minutes before the end of the first half. While United huffed and puffed in the second half, Tottenham never looked in any danger.

Winning the Europa League means that Spurs end a 17-year wait for a major trophy. Before Wednesday night, they had not won a trophy since the League Cup in 2008.

Tonight will be all about savouring the celebrations in the Basque Country but the nature of football means there will always be one eye on the future. Next season will see Spurs playing in the Champions League but also in the UEFA Super Cup.

Every August, the winners of the Europa League take on the winners of the Champions League for the first European trophy of the season.

Next season's fixture will take place at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, the home of Serie A club Udinese.

Tottenham have booked their place and they will be facing either PSG or Inter Milan in the final. Those two sides will be competing in the Champions League final on Saturday, May 31 in Munich.

The UEFA Super Cup will take place on Wednesday, August 13, a few days before the Premier League season begins. Tottenham will discover their fixtures in the Premier League on Wednesday, June 18 and the Champions League league phase draw will be on Thursday, August 28.

"I'm so happy right now," match-winner Johnson said. "This season hasn't been good at all but not one of us players care about that now," he told TNT Sports.

"This club hasn't won a trophy for 17 years, it means so much. "All the fans get battered, we get battered for not winning anything so we had to get the first one in a while today.

"Ever since I came here it's been 'Tottenham are a good team but they can't get it done'. "But we got it done.

"Tottenham Hotspur finishing 17th in the Premier League is not good enough but we've had an unbelievable Europa run. "I thought our fans had the edge on the United fans."

Harry Maguire was quick to let Cristian Romero know how he felt after the Tottenham defender was left on the floor for a couple of minutes in the first half of the Europa League final. With the game still goalless and without much incident, Romero found himself grounded by Rasmus Hojlund.

The United forward had collided with Romero whilst attacking a cross but only ran into his opponent. Hojlund's arm struck Romero on the way through.

With Romero putting both hands to his head as he lay on the grass inside his own penalty area, Maguire did not pass up the chance to take a dig. Standing over Romero, he said: "You're the captain, come on!"

Shouting to be heard over the top of a noisy crowd at the San Mames Stadium, Maguire's words were audible for those watching on TV as well. Romero would eventually get himself back up.

The Tottenham skipper had done a good job of keeping Hojlund quiet up to that point. Back with his centre-back partner, Romero and Micky van de Ven marshalled United and kept them to very little in a cagey first half.

It was Romero who would get the next laugh, though. Brennan Johnson's scrappy goal gave Spurs the lead right before half-time. United had done most of the attacking up to that point but lacked any real edge.

Johnson got a touch on Pape Matar Sarr's whipped ball in from the left side but it also took a deflected off Luke Shaw. Andre Onana could not keep it out as Spurs players, fans, and staff celebrated.

UEFA initially awarded the goal to Johnson, who sprinted off towards the corner flag to knee slide. He was joined by his teammates as Tottenham's bench erupted.

Ironically, Maguire was picked out for not clearing the ball away during the passage. He was caught on the wrong side of the cross and left it for those behind him to deal with.

Maguire himself is not the United captain. That is Bruno Fernandes, who did little in the opening 45 minutes. Spurs themselves had rarely caused Onana a problem but did not care about that after going ahead.

Tottenham players conducted their final pre-match huddle for the Europa League final in front of their own fans in a surprise turn of events on Wednesday night. Having initially lined up on the opposite side of the field, Cristian Romero and his teammates took matters into their own hands.

Sensing the chance to get another big cheer from their own supporters, Tottenham players ran past the United huddle (in their own half) and went towards the corner which housed the sea of white shirts. As a potential last mind game before the action got underway, it seemed to be appreciated.

The Spurs fans had been making a serious noise around Bilbao all day and continued that at the San Mames Stadium before kick-off. They were rewarded when Romero wandered over to deliver his motivating words.

The decision was confusing at first, with some questioning if the two sides had changed ends again after the coin toss, but it quickly became apparent that Tottenahm were simply looking for an extra advantage. As is standard with finals, both teams shoot towards their own end in the second half.

For Ange Postecoglou, he was looking for a way to give back to the Spurs faithful. "They're the constant, they're always there, and we wanna give back," he told TNT Sport before the game. "Tonight could be a special night."

He would not be drawn into putting too much expectation on his players, though. When asked if beating United three times already this season made him more confident or added pressure, he said: "Neither because it’s a final and you know that those kind of things aren’t important.

"If we had lost all three games your question would probably be ‘do you feel the pressure because you can’t beat them’, so… What I do know, and I’ve been in this situation a few times in my career in the big games, even your form going into it, even if you’ve got terrible form, it doesn’t matter.

"What matters is how the players cope with the occasion tomorrow. How they cope with understanding the importance of the game. For both clubs, you just don’t know how players are going to react to such a big occasion.

"My role in that is to try to prepare the players in the best possible way and also to prepare the players for Manchester United to be at their best, and that’s what you have to prepare for. If you prepare that way, and then you go out there and play to the potential that you can, you give yourself an opportunity.

"But I don’t think it really matters what you’ve done before any opposition when it comes to big games. Maybe in the league it’s a bit different. But in a final, everything gets decided on the day."

Ange Postecoglou was in a relaxed mood as he spoke pitchside ahead of the Europa League final. Just one day after he once more cut a slightly agitated figure during the pre-game press conference, the Tottenham head coach was in good spirits at San Mames Stadium.

After grabbing headlines on Tuesday with a spiky response to being asked about the fine line between 'infamy and legendary status,' Postecoglou was much more chilled out here. Talking to TNT Sport before the game, he was quick to praise the Spurs fans who had made quite the atmosphere.

"They're the constant, they're always there, and we wanna give back," he said. "Tonight could be a special night." It was a massive contrast to when he hit back at a report debating whether he would be a 'hero or clown' after the final.

"That depends on your outlook," he responded to the journalist in question. "But I’ll tell you one thing: irrespective of what happens tomorrow, I’m not a clown and I never will be, mate.

"I’m really disappointed that you would use such terminology about a person who, for 26 years without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he’s leading out a club in a European major competition [final]. For you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown, not really sure how to answer that question."

The spikey side of Postecoglou was very much left behind prior to kick-off, though. He was eloquent and smiling away as he soaked up the chants and cheers coming from behind him in the Tottenham end.

Postecoglou's speeches to the Spurs players in the latter stages of this tournament have gotten plenty of traction online. In that environment, Postecoglou's success as a motivator and an orator have come through and had the desired impact.

Tottenham supporters will now be hoping he has managed to have that effect again. Not bound by the pressures of talk over his job or future, Postecoglou was instead fully focused on the matchday and the experience to come.

Having spent most of the past 12 months talking about winning a trophy in his second season, this is Postecoglou's chance and he was seemingly revelling in it, embracing the moment and looking to be in his element for such a big match. His demeanour continued as he cracked jokes with the pundits.

Showing no signs of nerves, Postecoglou made several gags about his age and hearing after being unable to understand the questions being asked. As he left the buildup section, shaking Gareth Bale's hand, Postecoglou once more said that he needed to improve his hearing.

The response got a laugh out of Bale and the other pundits. Meanwhile, Postecoglou walked away with a grin as he went to prepare his team one last time.

Ange Postecoglou has highlighted Tottenham's need for "running power" in midfield in the Europa League final against Manchester United following his decision not to start Son Heung-min. The Spurs captain has been named on the substitutes' bench for the showdown in the Basque Country, with Pape Matar Sarr starting in the middle of the park alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma.

Son had proved his fitness ahead of the final in Bilbao after playing 32 and 74 minutes respectively in Tottenham's past two fixtures against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. Many had the South Korean down to start but instead Sarr has won the race to be in from the off at San Mames Stadium.

It means Postecoglou sticks with his usual 4-3-3 formation and opts for a front three of Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke and Richarlison. The boss does have further attacking options on the bench in Son, Mikey Moore, Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert, Dane Scarlett and Damola Ajayi.

“It’s disappointing losing guys likes Madders, Lucas and Deki because they’re very creative in there. But I think we’ll need running power tonight, it’s the kind of game in a final where we’re going to have to work hard defensively and in attack," said the Australian when speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game.

“The three boys we’ve got in there will work hard for the team and hopefully give us a good foundation.”

Tottenham have got the better of Manchester United three times domestically this season but those results go out of the window for the final. Postecoglou is well aware of the threats facing his side on Wednesday evening.

“They’ve got a couple of key players we need to shut down and we’re going to have to be really disciplined in our approach," said Postecoglou.

When Bruno Fernandes was mentioned, he added: “Absolutely. He’s one of those players. In big games, it’s sometimes moments that change games. He’s that player.

“At the same time, we’ve got to try and overwhelm in a collective way, not an individual basis. That’s the key to our approach today.”

Ange Postecoglou has named his Tottenham team to take on Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao.

Injuries mean the Spurs boss has had to name a team without any creative central midfielders and the north London side are going to have to come up with other ways of getting to the goal if they are to make it four victories against United during this campaign, having won home and away in the league and in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In one big decision, Postecoglou has decided to put his captain Son Heung-min on the bench and gone for the same team that won in Bodo/Glimt but without the injured Dejan Kulusevski, with Pape Matar Sarr coming into the side. Richarlison plays on the left up top in Son's place alongside Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson.

Dane Scarlett returns after his groin surgery to take a place on the bench among the 12 substitutes.

Here's the Tottenham starting XI and substitutes that will face Ruben Amorim's side in Bilbao.

Vicario, Porro, Romero (c), van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison. Substitutes: Austin, Whiteman, Spence, Danso, Davies, Gray, Moore, Ajayi, Odobert, Tel, Son, Scarlett.

Hello and welcome to football.london's live coverage of the Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

It is a huge night in Bilbao for Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs side and it could potentially be a historic day in the club's rich history. The north London club may have struggled in the Premier League this season but it has been a different story altogether in Europe after progressing all the way to the showpiece final.

Manchester United have also endured a similar season and they will be hoping to get one over Spurs in the final after so far losing all three games between the sides this term.

Brennan Johnson put Spurs ahead in the first half in what was a very cagey affair! Tottenham correspondents Alasdair Gold, Rob Guest and Lee Wilmot will be bringing you live updates throughout the match in our live matchday blog.

Scroll down for all of our latest updates from San Mames Stadium.

Key Events

Own goal!20:45

Sarr decision explained19:31

Confirmed Tottenham XI18:49

Spurs sub

Son replaces Richarlison who ran himself into the ground.

Big chance

Brilliant work from Udogie to win a ball in the Spurs box and then race up the pitch as he broke two vs one with Solanke but the striker just couldn't control his pass on the run. Should have been a second goal for Spurs there.

Cleared

Fernandes whips in a great free-kick and Solanke is on hand to clear after Yoro had got a touch to the ball.

United's start

The Red Devils are seeing plenty of the ball at the beginning of the second half but they've yet to call Vicario into action.

Roy Keane verdict

Roy Keane has given his verdict on the opening goal. Speaking as a pundit on CBS Sports, Keane said:

Huge moment but a real lack of quality. They have almost brought their League form to the table, but there's been tension obviously. Spurs have managed to get their noses in front. Big, big moment obviously, we are giving Johnson the goal but I think it might have come off Shaw.

We mentioned before the game about getting bodies in there, United have got bodies back but not obviously doing a defensive job. We look at it closesly, we saw crosses, in-swingers, earlier. I think Maguire has got to focus on clearing the ball.

Johnson does a brilliant run, nice and aggressive but United have enough bodies back but not doing enough. I think, yeah, question marks over the goalkeeper. It looks like an OG to me.

Peep

We're back up and running.

Second half to come

Certainly not the best half of football but Brennan Johnson's opener is currently the difference between the two sides.

Maybe that goal will lead to an improved second half? We'll see.

Here are our Spurs first half player ratings

Guglielmo Vicario 5

Pedro Porro 6

Cristian Romero 7

Micky van de Ven 7

Destiny Udogie 5

Rodrigo Bentancur 6

Yves Bissouma 6

Pape Matar Sarr 7

Brennan Johnson 7

Dominic Solanke 5

Richarlison 6

Half-time

Spurs 1-0 up at the break.

Added time

Two minutes added on.

Own goal!

Sarr intercepts a pass and puts a cross in which deflects off Shaw from Johnson's flick and Onana can't keep it out. 1-0 to Spurs.

Yellow card

Amad sees yellow after pulling Udogie back as he was breaking upfield.

Save

Good goalkeeping from Vicario to take in Fernandes' ball across goal.

Wide

Amad flashes an effort just across the face of goal.

That was close!

Chances

Chances for Spurs as Johnson runs on to a deflected clearance and his low ball across is pushed out by Onana and then Sarr's follow up shot was blocked in front of the six-yard box. Soon after Richarlison has a shot deflected wide.

Close

Terrific cross in from Porro which leaves Onana in no man's land but Richarlison is just beaten to it at the back post.

Block

First attempt on goal for United as Fernandes sees his effort blocked by teammate Mount in the penalty box.

Peep

We're up and running in Bilbao as Spurs get us under way.

Players out

The players are out on the pitch and we are moments away from kick-off!

The noise inside the stadium is deafening!

Match and trophy odds

Here are tonight's match and trophy odds ahead of the Europa League final:

Match result:

Tottenham – 11/5

Draw – 9/4

Manchester United – 6/5

To lift the trophy:

Tottenham – 6/5

Manchester United – 13/20

*Odds provided by Betway.

Tottenham's special shirt

As is normally the case with finals, Tottenham are wearing a special kit tonight with additional wording in the centre.

It certainly looks great.

Sarr decision explained

Ange Postecoglou has revealed why he has selected Pape Matar Sarr in his Tottenham team to take on Manchester United.

The decision to start the midfield has resulted in Son Heung-min taking his place on the bench to begin with.

Click here.

Tottenham fans in great spirits

The San Mames Stadium is starting to fill up and Tottenham supporters are certainly making their voices heard.

It's quite the noise!

Leny Yoro starts

The big news from Manchester United's line-up is that defender Leny Yoro starts.

The 19-year-old is set to start on the right hand side of a back three, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw the other centre-backs.

Champions League qualification or a trophy?

So what is more important to Tottenham when it comes to a trophy and also Champions League qualification?

Ange Postecoglou has had his say below:

It’s a great prize, the significance of Champions League qualification and what it means for every football club. There are the obvious benefits but also you get the opportunity to play against the best in the continent. But the club has been in the Champions League before. It hasn’t won a trophy for a long time. So that’s the most important thing.

Son on the bench

The big news from Tottenham's team news is that captain Son Heung-min is on the bench.

Ange Postecoglou has opted to start Richarlison, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke as his forward players in Bilbao. You would think, though, that Son will have an impact off the bench.

Confirmed Tottenham XI

Here is the Tottenham team Ange Postecoglou has selected for this evening's final:

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison.

Subs: Austin, Whiteman, Danso, Spence, Davies, Gray, Odobert, Son, Tel, Moore, Ajayi, Scarlett.

Confirmed Manchester United team

Here is the Manchester United team to take on Tottenham:

Tottenham players inspect pitch

The Tottenham squad have arrived at the San Mames Stadium ahead of tonight's huge clash.

While Ange Postecoglou and members of the Tottenham coaching staff went inside the changing room, the playing squad made their way out onto the pitch.

It was a nice moment for Spurs' stars, as they take one final look at this grand stadium before facing off against Man Utd.

After making his stance clear on outside investment, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy saw his net worth rise, as confirmed in The Sunday Times 2025 Rich List.

The 63-year-old has faced significant criticism from supporters over recent years with many of the belief the club are not ambitious enough in the transfer market, and that it often results in a manager merry-go-round which has resulted in nine different head coaches over the last 13 years.

In this current era of football, however, with profit and sustainability rules a real concern, it cannot be argued that he has not kept the club safe from any financial burdens.

The new stadium, which was opened in 2019, has undoubtedly been a key part in that and as such Spurs have still been able to operate without huge fear even considering the losses made due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Much has been about possible takeovers in the last few years with Levy publicly making his stance clear last year. "To capitalise on our long-term potential, to continue to invest in the teams and undertake future capital projects, the club requires a significant increase in its equity base," he said.

"The board and its advisors, Rothschild & Co, are in discussions with prospective investors.

"Any recommended investment proposal would require the support of the club's shareholders."

Former Newcastle shareholder Amanda Staveley has been suggested as a possible investor having sold her shares in the north east club back in July 2024

Music artist Jay-Z is also rumoured to be interested while Qatari investment - notably from Sheikh Jassim - has not been ruled out, although he would likely prefer a full takeover and of Europa League final rivals Manchester United.

Unsurprisingly, with the north London club also benefiting from multiple non-football event, Levy has seen his net worth increase up to £650million which sees him ranked 236th in the Sunday Times Rich List. From last year, he has jumped up 73 places as his net worth is deemed to have increased by £200million.

Showcasing his wealth, King Charles is below him in the standings, with David and Victoria Beckham also lower down in the list.

A Europa League triumph could also see that further increase - with Tottenham to receive a significant amount of prize money and also take in the huge funds that will come their way through playing Champions League football.

Despite only being able to name a UEFA 'A-List ' squad of 23-players for the Europa League, Tottenham have used 33 different individuals on their route to the final. Ange Postecoglou is missing a host of those in Bilbao but it won't stop them from getting potential winners medals.

Unlike in the Premier League, UEFA do not add any stipulations or rules regarding who is eligible or not for a medal. It means that a host of players who have either not been involved at all this season or since the group phase finished, could find themselves with a surprise medal.

The Premier League limit winners medals to those who have played at least five times. UEFA, however, simply offer out 50 to the winning team and allow the club to divide them between the players and staff as is seen fit. The losers get 40 silver medals.

This not only means that players like James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall, who will miss the final through injury, can claim a winners' medal if Tottenham are victorious in Spain on Wednesday, but so can others. Alfie Whiteman suffered a season-ending injury and hasn't made an appearance but could be given a medal, for example.

There are a host of young players who may well not make the matchday squad against United who could also be rewarded. Both Callum Olusesi and Oyindamola Ajayi played a single game in the Europa League this season and might be given a medal.

Alfie Dorrington did not play in Europe but has made one appearance. Dane Scarlett has five total matches with two in the Europa League but none from the start.

Even January signing Kevin Danso has hardly played but might yet get a medal. He has started once out of two Europa League appearances.

Others, such as Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, and Radu Dragusin, were not included in the knockout stage squad which was submitted at the end of the winter transfer window (which closed in early February). None of them, therefore, have helped Tottenham in their most perilous Europa League fixtures against AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt.

Injuries have not stopped Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Maddison, Bergvall, or Scarlett from travelling with the squad to the final. Postecoglou has taken a large party out to Spain with him including Antonin Kinsky and Whiteman.

Will Lankshear, who spent the second half of the season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, has played and scored for Spurs in the Europa League and cannot feature in the final but is among those to have flown to Bilbao. He could be in line for a winners' medal should Tottenham clinch victory.

Speaking ahead of the final, Postecoglou admitted: "It’s such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task which is to bring trophies to the club."

He added, addressing the chance to qualify for the Champions League: "It’s a great prize, the significance of Champions League qualification and what it means for every football club. There are the obvious benefits but also you get the opportunity to play against the best in the continent.

"But the club has been in the Champions League before. It hasn’t won a trophy for a long time. So that’s the most important thing."