Sports Mole

Meeting domestic rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday's Europa League final, Manchester United will aim to end their sub-par season on a high at San Mames.

The Red Devils head back to Bilbao - where they conquered Athletic Club in the semis - with selection dilemmas still facing head coach Ruben Amorim, who has consistently tinkered between games since his arrival.

Amorim brought back some of his regular starters for Friday's league loss to Chelsea, having rested several for the defeat to West Ham United, but it remains to be seen who will get the nod behind lone striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Mason Mount and Amad Diallo have both made an impact since returning from injury, while Kobbie Mainoo cannot be ruled out, and Argentinian winger Alejandro Garnacho will also be keen to shine on the big stage.

With inspirational skipper Bruno Fernandes - who has been directly involved in 11 Europa League goals this season - set to play just ahead of central midfield pair Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, only one place may be up for grabs.

Up front, Hojlund has scored just three times in his last 15 appearances, but with Joshua Zirkzee joining centre-back Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines - and Chido Obi ineligible - there is no real alternative, aside from fielding a false nine.

Elsewhere, defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are both doubts due to injury, while utility man Diogo Dalot is still struggling with a calf problem.

That creates some uncertainty about the composition of United's back three, with Harry Maguire most likely to start - any two from Yoro, De Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and even Noussair Mazraoui could join him.

Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund

> Click here to see how Tottenham could line up for Wednesday's Europa League final

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Meeting English rivals Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, Tottenham Hotspur will aim to end their 17-year trophy drought at San Mames.

Suffering his 25th domestic defeat of a grim campaign, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou played a weakened team at Villa Park last time out, as Antonin Kinsky started in goal and rising star Mikey Moore featured in the final third.

Among others, they will make way in Bilbao, as Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur, Brennan Johnson and Pedro Porro all return, along with first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Long-serving captain Heung-min Son made an impact on his first start after recovering from a foot injury, but he must still see off competition from Mathys Tel and Richarlison to join Johnson and Solanke up front.

Towards the end of an injury-hit season, 'Big Ange' is without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin due to injury, while Pape Sarr was forced off against Aston Villa on Friday night.

If Sarr should miss out, then Bentancur, Archie Gray and Yves Bissouma would most likely man Tottenham's engine room, with width provided by flying full-backs Porro and Destiny Udogie.

Postecoglou's preferred central defensive partnership - injury-prone pair Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven - will reunite, relegating Kevin Danso and Ben Davies to the bench.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Both aiming to end dismal seasons on a high, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will meet in Bilbao for Wednesday's Europa League final.

Domestic deficiencies can be brushed aside for 90 minutes - or more - as they convene for the sixth all-English UEFA final; like Spurs, United's European hopes for next season also rest on success at San Mames.

Match preview

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Despite all the doom produced by their Premier League campaign, Tottenham could still finish the 2024-25 season with a long-desired major trophy, having waited 17 years to lift any silverware.

Spurs won the UEFA Cup twice before it eventually developed into the Europa League - in 1972 and 1984 - so victory in Spain would also see them become the second English club to win Europe's second-tier tournament three times, along with Liverpool.

Of course, their last final appearance was a 2-0 loss to the Merseyside giants in the 2018-19 Champions League, but having emerged from the inaugural league phase and then progressed through the knockout rounds, they are back - and just one win away from proving Ange Postecoglou's prophecy right.

Under fire for several months now, 'Big Ange' - the first Australian coach to lead a team into a major European final - infamously pointed to his record of always winning a trophy in his second year at any club, and Spurs could now extend that trend.

They made it through to the decider with an ultimately dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over Norwegian ground-breakers Bodo/Glimt, as Dominic Solanke scored in both legs of their semi-final.

After finishing fourth in the league phase - one point behind Manchester United - the London club eliminated AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt before dispatching Bodo, and they have won nine of 14 matches in this season's Europa League.

While that represents Tottenham's most ever wins in a single continental campaign, their Premier League form could not contrast more starkly: sitting 17th in the table with one game to play, they have been beaten 21 times in the English top flight.

Most recently, Postecoglou's side played out a tame 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last Friday night, but they can still glean some comfort from recent domestic meetings with Man Utd.

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Against United this season, Spurs have earned three wins from three: a 3-0 league victory at Old Trafford, then a 4-3 success in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, before a 1-0 home win in February.

In fact, the Manchester side will come into this high-stakes encounter winless in their last six meetings with Tottenham across all competitions.

The clubs' only previous clash in European competition came in the 1963-64 Cup Winners' Cup, with the Red Devils progressing to the quarter-finals via a 4-3 aggregate victory.

While Spurs are seeking a first continental title since 1984, United hope to repeat their 2017 Europa League triumph, when they defeated a young Ajax side featuring current squad members Andre Onana and Matthijs de Ligt.

Four years later, they took part in an eighth European final - only Liverpool (15) have reached more among English clubs - but losing on penalties to Villarreal means they have failed to win three of the last four.

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Man Utd made this year's decider by spoiling the narrative of a cherished home final for Athletic Bilbao, cruising to a 3-0 first-leg triumph in the Basque Country before sealing the deal with a 4-1 home win one week later.

That straightforward success came after an incredible quarter-final tie against Lyon, in which they led by two goals at half time of the second leg before trailing by two in extra time. Two more goals then drew the Red Devils level, setting the stage for Harry Maguire to secure a last-gasp 7-6 aggregate win at Old Trafford.

Having scored 12 goals in their last three games, United have netted 35 throughout this Europa League journey; the only teams ever to score more in a single UEFA Cup or Europa League campaign were Borussia Monchengladbach in 1972-73 (36), Porto in 2010-11 (37), and Chelsea in 2018-19 (36).

Furthermore, Ruben Amorim's otherwise inconsistent side are still unbeaten in Europe this term and could become just the fourth team in the Europa League era to win the competition without losing.

Aiming to put some gloss on an awful start to his time in England, Amorim would also become only the third Man Utd manager to lift a major trophy during his first season, after Jose Mourinho in 2016-17 and Erik ten Hag in 2022-23.

However, his team recorded their 18th league loss of the season with Friday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea - leaving them one point and one place above Spurs in 16th - and Champions League qualification relies on making another memorable night in Bilbao.

Tottenham Hotspur Europa League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Manchester United Europa League form:

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Team News

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While Amorim brought back several regular starters for Friday's Premier League game, citing the need for match-sharpness, Postecoglou played a weakened team at Villa Park.

So, despite impressing against Aston Villa, Antonin Kinsky will make way for Guglielmo Vicario in goal, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and Pedro Porro also set to return.

Spurs skipper Heung-min Son started for the first time since recovering from a foot injury and could keep his place, but Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin are all ruled out of Wednesday's final.

Supported by Son, Solanke is set to lead the front line, having registered five goals and four assists in this season's Europa League; he has also scored in all of his last four appearances against Manchester United.

Meanwhile, United star Bruno Fernandes sits joint-top of the golden boot rankings with seven goals so far, while Rasmus Hojlund is one of several players on six.

Only Lyon's Rayan Cherki (12) has been directly involved in more Europa League goals this season than United's inspirational captain (11). Indeed, the only player to manage more in one campaign for an English club was Olivier Giroud, with Chelsea in 2018-19 (15).

Bolstering a misfiring attack, recent returnees Mason Mount and Amad Diallo both made an impact on the second-leg win over Athletic, but Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot are all doubts; Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee will not return until next term.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United (after extra time)

Man Utd can save their season by winning the Europa League for a second time, seeing off Spurs to secure a place in the 2025-26 Champions League.

In a fascinating contest between two unpredictable teams, almost anything can happen at San Mames, but United should hold their nerve to prevail after 30 added minutes.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Crystal Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish has confirmed that Oliver Glasner will remain as Crystal Palace manager next season despite reported interest from elsewhere.

Glasner became the first manager in Palace's history to win a major trophy for the club when he steered the Eagles to a memorable 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium last weekend.

The 50-year-old replaced Roy Hodgson as Palace boss in February last year and has since won just under 50% of his 59 matches at the helm in all competitions, with his side still in contention to finish this season in the top half of the Premier League table.

FA Cup glory for Palace has seen them qualify for next season's Europa League for the first time in their history, a competition that Glasner won with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.

Glasner will soon be entering the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and his success at Palace is understood to have caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, who have allegedly identified the Austrian as a possible replacement for under-pressure boss Ange Postecoglou.

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Spurs suffer blow in Glasner pursuit as Austrian is set to stay at Palace

Bundesliga club RB Leipzig have also been credited with an interest in Glasner, but Parish has revealed that he wants the Eagles manager to extend his contract at the club.

"Oliver will be here next year," Parish told reporters. "Everybody knows the length of his contract. Beyond that we'll have to talk. We want to try and extend his contract.

"But it needs to be right for everybody. What happens down the track, summer transfer window, players, it's for tomorrow.

"But he'll be here next year, then we'll take it from there. Of course I want him to stay but things happen in football and clubs evolve and move on.

"I'd love him to stay but the club's got to develop behind him, and the club has to show the ambition, and if that all aligns, maybe he will."

Parish added: "We've been talking about it (a new contract). For Oliver, it's not about the things that maybe people think it's about. Oliver wants to be part of something that's going in a direction."

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Parish keen to build squad that can cope with European demands

Sharing his thoughts on next season, Parish continued: "We know it'll be a challenge to play [European football on] Thursday nights and league football next season.

"We have got to work with the manager to use his knowledge and his experience [of that] and try and plan so we have a squad that copes. We are not going to lose our minds but we are going to take advantage of the situation and be positive and see what we can achieve.

"It's performances and it's the fans, as well. You don't get many fans like ours, that are so supportive all the time - 99.9% of them. That means a lot to the players. They know they're coming into a good environment, a stable environment. Add on Europe and it's a big plus."

Glasner and his Palace team are now focused on their remaining two Premier League fixture at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night and away against champions Liverpool on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly one of five teams showing interest in Genoa's defensive starlet Koni de Winter, who has been dubbed the 'next Vincent Kompany'.

The highly-rated Belgium international came through the Juventus youth system but failed to make the grade in Turin, and he was sold to Genoa for just £6.7m in the summer of 2024.

De Winter has excelled under the wing of Patrick Vieira, though, registering three goals in 25 assists this season, helping Genoa secure Serie A survival as they sit 13th in the table.

The 22-year-old's exploits in Italy have not gone unnoticed, as it was reported a couple of months ago that Everton had earmarked him as a potential replacement for Manchester United-linked Jarrad Branthwaite.

Newly-promoted Leeds United have also been tipped to try to bring De Winter to the Premier League for next season, but the Whites and the Toffees could now face incredibly tough competition.

Tottenham 'admire' £25.2m Winter

According to The Mirror, Tottenham are one of another five teams to have thrown their hat into the ring for the 2002-born defender, who could be available for a reasonable £25.2m in the summer window.

West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also said to be showing interest in De Winter, but Serie A title chasers Napoli and Inter Milan will try to prolong the centre-back's stay in Serie A.

De Winter - who stands at 6ft 3in tall - has earned comparisons to legendary compatriot Kompany in his homeland, and he has won two caps for the senior Belgium team, making his debut in March 2024.

The 22-year-old recently outlined his ambitions to play in the Champions League, which Spurs will qualify for if they can defeat Manchester United in Wednesday's Europa League final in Bilbao.

"Yeah, this is really a dream of mine. You know, when you hear the song of the Champions League it is something special," he told the publication.

"I think I just want to take everything out of this football career that I'm building. I like the experience that I'm making, I have a lot of stories to tell."

De Winter's contract with Genoa still has another three years to run, but the Italian side are not expected to stand in his way of an exit if an interested party comes forward with a suitable offer.

Spurs find possible Cristian Romero replacement in De Winter?

At the start of Ange Postecoglou's reign, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven formed a menacing centre-back partnership, but a cruel spate of injuries have decimated their partnership in recent months.

Nevertheless, Romero is said to have attracted the attention of both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and incoming Blancos boss Xabi Alonso is supposedly determined to bring the Argentine to the Bernabeu this summer.

De Winter would represent a younger, natural replacement for Romero should the South American be unable to resist the pull of the Bernabeu, but failure to win the Europa League could leave them vulnerable to an Inter or Napoli hijack.

Tottenham Hotspur will be bidding to win the Europa League when they tackle Manchester United in the final of the competition on Wednesday night in Bilbao, Spain.

Spurs will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, with the result leaving them down in 17th spot in the Premier League table, and the North London club have incredibly lost 21 times in the league this term.

Tottenham would save their season by winning the Europa League, though, as success in the tournament would see them secure a spot in the league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the club's injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Man United, who will be just as desperate to secure the victory on Wednesday night.

Radu Dragusin

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Dragusin went under the knife in the middle of February to correct an ACL injury, and the defender faces a battle to be back on the field before the end of 2025.

Dejan Kulusevski

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Kulusevski sustained a knee issue during the early stages of the clash with Crystal Palace on May 11, and the Sweden international has since undergone an operation which has ruled him out of the Europa League final.

James Maddison

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Maddison will also miss out for Tottenham on Wednesday night, with the playmaker suffering a knee injury in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final with Bodo/Glimt at the start of the month.

Lucas Bergvall

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

In another major blow for Spurs, Bergvall has been ruled out of the Europa League final due to the ankle injury that he sustained during a training session.

Timo Werner

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Tottenham will be missing Werner for Wednesday's final due to a hamstring injury; a disappointing campaign has seen the Germany international only manage one goal in 27 appearances for the North London club.

Pape Sarr

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Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Back

Possible return date: May 21 (vs. Man United)

Sarr was forced off against Villa in the Premier League on Friday night due to a back injury, and the midfielder needs to be assessed before it is determined whether he will be involved in the Europa League final.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR'S SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham have no players suspended for the Europa League final.

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Manchester United will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils have had a disastrous domestic campaign, sitting down in 16th spot in the Premier League table, and they will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

However, their season would be saved by beating Tottenham in the Europa League final, as success in the competition would secure Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Man United's injury and suspension news ahead of their contest with Tottenham, who will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

Leny Yoro

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Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Foot

Possible return date: May 21 (vs. Tottenham)

Yoro limped off the field in the Premier League clash with West Ham United last weekend, with the Frenchman suffering an injury to his left foot; the centre-back has still not been ruled out of the final, but he is seemingly facing an uphill task to be available.

Diogo Dalot

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Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: May 21 (vs. Tottenham)

Dalot as recently been absent due to a calf injury, but Amorim has said that the Portugal international is working to be fit for the final of the Europa League against Tottenham at San Mames.

Lisandro Martinez

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Martinez suffered a severe knee injury during Man United's Premier League match against Crystal Palace on February 2, and the Argentina international is expected to be on the sidelines for the remainder of 2025.

Joshua Zirkzee

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Zirkzee is out for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign, with the Netherlands international picking up a hamstring injury during the team's loss to Newcastle in the Premier League on April 13.

Matthijs de Ligt

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Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: May 21 (vs. Tottenham)

De Ligt has been sidelined since the clash with Brentford on May 4 due to a knee injury; the centre-back was initially due to return against Chelsea, but he again missed out, and the Netherlands international is still looking to prove his fitness before the final.

MANCHESTER UNITED'S SUSPENSION LIST

Man United have no players suspended for the Europa League final.

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Bayern Munich are reportedly keen to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Pedro Porro during this summer's transfer window.

Porro has been a standout performer in a disappointing campaign for Spurs, with the 25-year-old scoring four goals and registering nine assists in 49 appearances in all competitions.

The Spain international has two goals and six assists in 32 Premier League matches this season, while he has been vital in his team's run to the final of the Europa League, scoring twice and providing three assists in 12 outings in the competition.

There has recently been speculation surrounding Porro's future, with Manchester City believed to be considering re-signing the player who was previously contracted to them between 2019 and 2022.

However, according to Fichajes, there is also firm interest from Bayern, with the German champions ready to make 'a decisive move' for the Spaniard when this summer's transfer window opens for business.

Bayern 'eyeing summer deal for Porro'

The report claims that Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany has personally requested the arrival of Porro, viewing him as the perfect player to help the forwards in the team.

Tottenham are allegedly desperate to keep hold of the right-back but would listen to offers in the region of £50m, with Spurs known as a club that are willing to let players leave if a deal makes sense from a financial point of view.

Porro's journey to Tottenham has been an interesting one, with the defender started his professional career with Girona back in 2017, before making the move to Man City, with the Citizens paying in the region of £11m to sign him in August 2019.

Man City loaned Porro to Real Valladolid, before he made the switch to Sporting Lisbon, initially on loan, and he excelled for the Portuguese outfit, scoring 12 goals and registering 20 assists in 98 appearances.

The Spaniard arrived at Tottenham, initially on loan, in January 2023, and he has a record of 11 goals and 20 assists in 103 appearances for Spurs, showing his contribution in the final third of the field.

Should Tottenham let Porro leave?

There is no question that Porro is one of Tottenham's better players, and it is not difficult to understand why there is interest in him from some major clubs considering the skills that he possesses as a defender.

Porro is a real force in the final third of the field, and he would be a huge loss to Spurs, but if the North London club do not secure Champions League football for next season, then some difficult decisions may need to be made during the summer market.

An offer in the region of £50m would be tough to turn down, but the club would be in a much stronger position to keep him if they manage to beat Manchester United in next week's Europa League final to secure top-level European action for the 2025-26 campaign. body check tags ::

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has revealed that his side did not pick up any fresh injury concerns during Friday night's Premier League contest with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Amorim selected a stronger-than-expected XI against Chelsea, with a number of players who are set to start the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur included from the first whistle.

However, Man United were unable to pick up a positive result, with Marc Cucurella's header securing all three points for Chelsea.

There was positive news in the aftermath of the clash, though, as no fresh injury issues have been reported, while Ayden Heaven made his return from an ankle issue off the bench in the second period.

"I felt that, in the end, we will get all the players," Amorim told reporters. "I think they are okay.

"In every game, you can understand it helps me a lot to choose the starting XI for the final. So we will see. Yes, there's nothing. Of course, Luke [Shaw] and Mason [Mount] were guys we need to take care of. The other guys are fine."

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Man United did not suffer any fresh injuries against Chelsea

Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are both definitely out of the Europa League final, but Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot all have chances of being available for the contest.

De Ligt has been dealing with a knee issue of late, while Yoro worryingly limped off the field against West Ham United in the Premier League last weekend, and Amorim has admitted that he is concerned about the Frenchman.

Dalot, meanwhile, has recently been missing due to a calf problem, but Amorim said earlier this month that the Portugal international is "doing everything to recover" in time for the showdown with Spurs.

Amorim is expected to make a final decision on the trio at the start of next week.

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Amorim "really confident" of success in Europa League final

The Man United boss also said that he is "really confident" that his side will get the job done on Wednesday evening in order to lift major silverware and secure a position in the 2025-26 Champions League.

"Of course, we have to believe. I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game. They know what it means, not just for us but for our fans and for the club. After this season, we are ready to fight for the one thing that can help us remember this season in a different way," he told reporters.

"So I am really confident. We are living a season that is really strange because we are doing so well in Europe but, in the Premier League, we struggle.

"But we will be prepared for the final. It's a different context and a different game. The most important thing is the change in mentality in my team. They compete and that is the most important thing for me."

Man United are 16th in the Premier League table, one point above 17th-placed Tottenham, who will enter the Europa League final off the back of a 2-0 reverse to Aston Villa.

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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has delivered the latest on Pape Sarr's fitness following his enforced withdrawal against Aston Villa.

The Lilywhites' Premier League plight continued in the West Midlands on Friday evening, where Unai Emery's Lions got one over their capital counterparts in a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara.

Once again, Postecoglou started a second-string team for their penultimate Premier League match of the season, as the Australian wraps his integral players in cotton wool before the Europa League final.

However, the Tottenham boss was dealt a highly untimely new fitness concern ahead of the trip to Bilbao to face Manchester United, as Sarr was taken off for Yves Bissouma early on in the second half.

The Senegal international's change appeared tactical at the time, but he was then seen heading down the tunnel with a member of medical staff, suggesting that he had picked up a new problem.

Postecoglou hopeful over Sarr injury ahead of Europa League final

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Postecoglou was inevitably questioned on Sarr's concern post-match, but the ex-Celtic boss cut a calm figure and expressed hope that the midfielder's concern was nothing severe.

"Pape felt something in his back so we took him off as a bit of a precaution. I don't think it's anything too significant speaking to him afterwards but he just felt something in his back," football.london quotes Postecoglou as saying.

Sarr should therefore be given the thumbs-up to make the trip to San Mames for the Europa League final, and he was one of two Spurs players whose race was run before full time on Friday.

Teenage sensation Mikey Moore made just his third Premier League start of the season on the right-hand side and lasted until the 87th minute, five days after completing 71 minutes in the loss to Crystal Palace.

Offering an update on the 17-year-old, Postecoglou added: "I think Mikey (Moore) was okay. It was fatigue as much as anything else. He hasn't played that sort of amount of minutes before."

What could Tottenham's midfield look like in Europa League final?

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The initial assessments of Sarr's injury may not be too alarming, but there was also not much concern over Dejan Kulusevski at first last weekend; the Sweden international has now been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Kulusevski is one of three advanced midfield options for Tottenham who will be watching on from the sidelines, as James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall are nursing knee and ankle issues respectively.

If Sarr is not given the green light to make the cut, Archie Gray will likely operate in the deepest midfield slot, as Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur start either side of the English youngster.

However, Postecoglou instead fielded Wilson Odobert in an advanced midfield role at Villa Park, and the Australian admitted that Spurs may need to "rely" on him in Bilbao given their lack of other creative options.

On a brighter note, skipper Son Heung-min completed 74 minutes after recovering from a foot injury, putting him firmly in contention to start the Europa League final.