ManchesterWorld

Manchester United are set to compete with Spurs in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Manchester United can still salvage something from what has been a poor season at Old Trafford by winning the Europa League and bagging themselves a trophy.

If they do beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final on Wednesday night, United would in turn qualify for the Champions League, despite being 16th in the Premier League table under Ruben Amorim.

Heading into the game, both United and Spurs are desperate to win after poor campaigns in the Premier League, and with both managers under considerable pressure heading into the summer.

Martin Keown makes bold Bruno Fernandes prediction

Looking ahead to the final, many will think that United midfielder Bruno Fernandes could be instrumental to any success that the Red Devils could have against Spurs in Bilbao.

Fernandes has been United’s best player this season, scoring 19 goals and providing 19 assists in 55 appearances for the Red Devils this year. Amorim has also used him both in attacking midfield roles and more central roles, both of which have been a success.

However, heading into the final, ex-Premier League defender Martin Keown thinks that Fernandes could struggle against Tottenham. He said on Match of the Day 2: “I know it could be a long night, maybe Manchester United will look for extra-time and penalties but I feel like Spurs can win this.”

On Fernandes, he said: “I don’t think he’ll turn up on the night. I actually think Dominic Solanke might be the standout player. £65 million will be like a snip if they win it.”

However, fellow pundit Danny Murphy disagreed with Keown, suggesting that Fernandes is the only player on both sides who can produce some magic capable of winning the final.

Murphy said: “I think Manchester United have the only player in both the sides whose reliable in the big games and can create magic: Bruno Fernandes. I think he’s been a shining light and he’ll make the difference.”

Bruno Fernandes “very eager” to lift Europa League trophy

The United captain has been somewhat of a bright spark for Amorim’s side this season, creating the majority of chances that United score whether that be through finishing himself or assisting for one of his teammates.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the final, the Red Devils star seemed very relaxed and confident that his side can beat Spurs and win the game, despite the fact that he thinks its going to be tight.

Fernandes said: “Both teams will be very eager to get that [Europa League trophy], but we just have to find a way to be more eager than them. We know Tottenham, both teams aren’t having a great season, but a final is a final, a chance to get the silverware is there.

He was asked by former United star Owen Hargreaves what difference playing against a familiar opponent in Tottenham could have on the game.

“It helps us prepare for the game,” Fernandes said, “but during the game, it makes the game very tight, it makes it look like you’re afraid of everything because you know they know your strengths and weaknesses.

“At the same time, both teams aren’t having a great season, so I hope that in the final, we can show people on the outside world that both teams want to go for the trophy and give the best atmosphere and show possible that everyone is looking for.”

The game kicks off at 8pm on Wednesday night from Bilbao and will be available to watch for free, despite not being on terrestrial TV.

Manchester United will look to salvage their season when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night. The two sides have endured dismal domestic seasons, yet one of them will earn Champions League qualification when they win the trophy.

Ruben Amorim has some big decisions to make regarding his team selection and will have to get the balance of his side spot-on to give them the best chance of victory. United hope to welcome back several key players to their matchday squad for the showcase event, though it might come too soon for any of them to start.

It means Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount could keep their starting roles from the recent defeat to Chelsea, while Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho might have to settle for places on the bench. Here is how we think United should line up in the Europa League final.

Manchester United will look to salvage their season when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night. The two sides have endured dismal domestic seasons, yet one of them will earn Champions League qualification when they win the trophy.

Ruben Amorim has some big decisions to make regarding his team selection and will have to get the balance of his side spot-on to give them the best chance of victory. United hope to welcome back several key players to their matchday squad for the showcase event, though it might come too soon for any of them to start.

It means Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount could keep their starting roles from the recent defeat to Chelsea, while Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho might have to settle for places on the bench. Here is how we think United should line up in the Europa League final.

Click here for more of our videos

on ShotsTV.com or watch on Freeview 262

The early team news as Man Utd face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Manchester United will be without just two senior players when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night. United want to salvage their season with a piece of silverware and Champions League qualification and are set to welcome three players back for the match.

Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee all returned to team training on Tuesday morning as United held their final session before the showpiece event. Ruben Amorim put his squad through their paces at the club’s Carrington training base, with spirits high ahead of the final.

It is unclear whether any of the returning players will be fit enough to star against Spurs tomorrow night, but even having them back in the matchday squad will be a huge boost to Amorim. It looks like one star is set to miss out though, after he took part in an individual session away from the main group.

Matthijs de Ligt injury latest

Manchester United might only be without Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final this week. Martinez is a long-term injury absentee after he underwent successful surgery on an ACL injury at the start of the year. There is still no specific timeframe on when the Argentine might return, though the rough estimation was at least six months from his injury in early February.

De Ligt is close to a return, though the Europa League final is expected to come too soon for him. The Dutchman suffered an injury in the recent 4-3 away defeat to Brentford and has missed the last three matches across all competitions. He did not take part in the group session on Tuesday morning but was later spotted doing individual fitness work with a first-team coach.

The 25-year-old could yet travel to Bilbao with the rest of the United squad on Tuesday afternoon, but might not be fit enough to make the bench against Spurs. It is understood United will fly to Spain at roughly 3pm, when they will also announce their travelling squad for the final.

Manchester United confirmed training squad for Europa League final:

Onana, Bayindir, Heaton, Mee; Amass, Dalot, Dorgu, Evans, Fredricson, Heaven, Lindelof, Maguire, Mazraoui, Shaw, Yoro; Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Fernandes, Mainoo, Mount, Ugarte; Amad, Garnacho, Hojlund, Obi, Zirkzee.

The confirmed Man Utd team news, injury latest and training squad ahead of their massive clash with Spurs.

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Manchester United have been handed a huge triple injury boost ahead of their Europa League final clash with Tottenham Hotspur. United face their Premier League opponents in Bilbao on Wednesday night and took part in their final training session before the final on Tuesday morning.

Ruben Amorim put his first-team squad through their paces at the club’s Carrington training complex, before they fly to the Basque Country later in the day. United opted to hold their final training session in Manchester rather than Bilbao, unlike opponents Tottenham, who will train at the San Mames stadium on Tuesday evening.

There is a huge triple injury boost ahead of the match after Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee all took part in the session at Carrington. The trio are all expected to be named in the travelling squad later in the day.

Manchester United team news for Europa League final

Manchester United have been handed a triple injury boost for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur after Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee all took part in the club’s final pre-match training session.

Yoro missed the recent defeat to Chelsea after he suffered a setback in the previous match against West Ham, while Dalot missed six matches after he was injured following a home loss with Loss. Zirkzee has been sidelined for over a month after he suffered a hamstring issue in the heavy defeat away at Newcastle.

It means Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are the only two senior players who will miss the final in Bilbao. De Ligt suffered an injury in the away defeat to Brentford at the start of the month, while Martinez is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines following an ACL injury.

Manchester United confirmed training squad for Europa League final:

The early team news as Man Utd face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final this week.

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Five Manchester United players will do all they can to be available for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night. Ruben Amorim's side might be 16th in the Premier League after their recent defeat to Chelsea but they could play in the Champions League next season if they win in Bilbao tomorrow.

Amorim is expected to name the same starting line up that lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last Friday, which would mean starts for Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount. There is still hope five injured players could be back involved in the matchday squad, though it is unlikely any of them will be thrown back into the starting line up versus Spurs.

United will train at Carrington on Tuesday morning before they fly to Bilbao later in the day, and here is the latest on the five senior players who are hopeful they could be back for the biggest match of the season.

Manchester United latest injury verdict for Europa League final

Diogo Dalot - Good chance

Dalot has not featured since the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Easter Sunday, but he took part in the club's pre-match media day, which suggests he could yet be involved. When asked for an update on his possible squad inclusion against Tottenham Hotspur, he said: "I have to go day by day to see how I am feeling every day but so far so good." The Portuguese defender took part in an individual fitness session when the club held their open training session for the final a week ago.

Leny Yoro - Good chance

Yoro went off with an injury in the recent 2-0 home defeat to West Ham United earlier in the month. When United posted pictures of players in their Paul Smith suits for the final, they included an image of the French defender, which suggests he could be named in the travelling squad. Yoro was spotted on his way to do some individual gym work when he missed the open training session last Wednesday.

Matthijs de Ligt - Unlikely

De Ligt suffered an injury in the 4-3 away defeat to Brentford at the start of the month. He has missed the last three matches across all competitions and did not take part in their open training session a week ago. When asked on his latest update for De Ligt and Yoro, head coach Ruben Amorim said: "I don't know if they're going to be available, we'll try to push, it's a final, all the players want to play really bad."

Joshua Zirkzee - Unlikely

Zirkzee was ruled out for the remainder of the season after he suffered a hamstring injury in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle over a month ago. It seems highly unlikely he will be available to face Tottenham in midweek but he told close friend Alphonso Davies it was 'not impossible' he would be available for the final.

Jonny Evans - Good chance

Evans took part in the club's open training session at Carrington last week but was not part of the squad that travelled to Chelsea on Friday night. He will not be rushed back to action when he is unlikely to feature in the match, though he would love to be part of the squad given he is set to leave as a free agent at the end of the season.

Manchester United will hope to welcome back some of their injured players for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night. Ruben Amorim will attempt to salvage a dreadful debut campaign with Champions League qualification and a trophy to match, though it is far easier said than done.

United have been careful to manage fitness levels across the last few matches and there is already a good indication of how they might line up to face Spurs. Amorim will most likely name the same side that lost 1-0 to Chelsea on Friday night, though there is hope some injured players could be back in contention to play.

Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot are among those hopeful of a place on the bench against Tottenham and although they might lack match fitness, they would both be part of the strongest possible line up for the match. Here is a look at how United could line up in the best possible situation.

Mikel Arteta appeared to aim a dig at Manchester United’s Premier League position on Sunday

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared to aim a dig at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur after his side all-but confirmed second place in the Premier League and their spot in next season’s Champions League.

The Gunners are set to finish second in the table for the third-straight campaign but have failed to win any silverware this term. However, after a poor run of form Arteta’s side were looking like slipping out of second spot before they beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to seal a place in next season’s Champions League.

They are six points ahead of Manchester City, who can catch Arsenal if the Gunners lose to Southampton on the final day - and if Pep Guardiola’s side win their final two games. It has been a somewhat disappointing season for Arteta’s men, who failed to mount a strong challenge against Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta aims dig at Manchester United and Tottenham

One of United or Spurs will also qualify for the Champions League despite sitting 16th and 17th, respectively. The pair contest the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao - and one side will be able to put their miserable league campaign well and truly behind them.

However, Arteta could not resist a dig at some of his big six rivals as he pointed to how injuries have derailed other teams much more than his side. He said after the 1-0 victory over Newcastle: “Make sure, as I said, that it doesn’t get blurry, and it doesn’t get recognised what we’ve done.

“Any other team, I’ve seen it with one injury to finishing eighth, fifth, 16th, 17th. What this team has done, in my opinion, to sustain the level throughout the season with everything that happened is incredible.

“We don’t want anybody to value [it], but me as a manager, I have to value what these guys have done.”

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim can have the last laugh

Despite the possibility of finishing 14 places below the Gunners, United could still be alongside them in the Champions League next campaign - and have some silverware to show for it. Amorim’s side dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier in the season and could make it three trophies in three seasons if they triumph over Tottenham.

United have had their fair share of injury problems this campaign but could put those behind them with victory in the Europa League final.

"Of course, we have to believe," said Amorim looking ahead to the final. "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.

"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 Utd face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Mason Mount believes it is a 'massive honour' to wear the No.7 shirt for Manchester United as he looks to repay the faith supporters have shown in him at the club. The 26-year-old has endured rotten injury lack since he joined United from Chelsea two years ago and only made 45 appearances across the last two seasons.

Mount is in line to start the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, despite the fact he has only ever played an entire match for the club once before. Ruben Amorim is a huge fan of the attacking midfielder and views him as a key part of his squad for the future.

The former Chelsea man is not only under pressure due to his enormous £60 million price-tag, but also because of the number he wears on his back. Mount was handed the iconic No.7 shirt when he moved to Old Trafford, with plenty of expectation for him to live up to the huge expectations of arguably the most famous number in club football.

Mason Mount honoured to be United No.7

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Europa League final against Tottenham, Mason Mount was quizzed on his iconic shirt number and how he has handled the pressure associated with it. "It was a massive, massive honour," he said. "Obviously I knew before joining what legends have worn the shirt and what it means to the club. As soon as I knew that there was a possibility of me wearing it, I was never going to turn it down. I always wanted to take that opportunity."

Mount missed four months of last season with a calf problem and another three months of this season with a hamstring issue. He has been eased back into action by head coach Ruben Amorim and scored twice as United defeated Athletic Club in the semi-final second leg earlier this month.

The midfielder will hope to end the campaign with a European triumph and Champions League qualification as he looks to repay the faith shown in him by medical staff and supporters. He added: "I have had many days at Carrington [United's training ground] sitting on the treatment bed where I want to be training

"I've been in the stands watching games where I want to be playing. I gave everything to continue my rehab to try and get back and be back as quickly as possible. It has been difficult, but I have learned a lot from these moments. Now I am back and feel a lot better. You really appreciate it more. It's been a tough couple of years, but I've stayed very focused so I knew moments like this were going to come and that was always on my mind."

Manchester United head to Bilbao for the Europa League final against Tottenham this week

Sign up to The Red Devil round-up with Rich Fay

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to ManchesterWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Manchester United face the defining moment in their season on Wednesday as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

The Red Devils lost 1-0 at Chelsea in their final away outing of the Premier League campaign and welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford in their last contest of the campaign on Sunday.

First up, Ruben Amorim will be aiming to lift his first piece of silverware since joining the club and secure the Red Devils passage into the Champions League. Both United and Tottenham have endured miserable campaign in the league. Amorim’s side are 16th on 39 points, one place and one point above Ange Postecoglou’s men.

For one side, a dream spot in the Champions League awaits while the daunting reality of a shocking Premier League season will hit the other team with a bang. Spurs have lost Dejan Kulusevski ahead of the final due to knee surgery while they have a handful of other stars who will be sidelined.

Amorim also has injury concerns ahead of the game but will hope to have as many players as possible to select his starting XI from. Here we look at the latest injury news and potential return dates for United’s squad.

Man Utd injury news and potential return dates

Matthijs de Ligt

The defender has been out with a knee injury since the 4-3 loss at Brentford. He had only just returned from a previous issue for that game but was forced off after 35 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Potential return date: v Tottenham Hotspur, May 21

Leny Yoro

The defender is another concern for Amorim, having been forced off during the 2-0 home defeat against West Ham with a foot problem. He did not take part in an open training session last week.

"I don't know if they're going to be available, we'll try to push, it's a final, all the players want to play really bad," said Amorim last week when giving an update on De Ligt and Yoro, along with Dalot.

Potential return date: v Tottenham Hotspur, May 21

Diogo Dalot

The defender has been out since picking up an injury in the 1-0 loss at home to Wolves in April. Amorim said of the player: "Dalot is trying really bad. I don't want to risk Dalot, when you start getting one injury, a second injury is a big thing. We cannot have these kind of problems in our squad. He's working really hard to get in the final."

Joshua Zirkzee

The forward has been out since picking up a hamstring problem in the 4-1 loss at Newcastle United in April. The former Bologna ace is out of the season and will not play a part in the Europa League final.

Potential return date: next season

Jonny Evans

The veteran defender is poised to leave Old Trafford when his contract runs out at the end of the season. He may have already played his final game for United as he did not travel to Chelsea. His most recent appearance was on December 19, when he scored in a 4-3 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.

Potential return date: next season

Lisandro Martinez

The defender is United’s long-term absentee after rupturing his ACL against Crystal Palace in February. He is not poised to return well into next season after undergoing surgery.