The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League final is set to take place this Wednesday, with two Premier League giants, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, facing off in a high-stakes showdown. This isn’t just a shot at European silverware for both sides, and it’s a crucial chance to redeem their seasons and secure a coveted Champions League spot for next year.
Premier League Collapse: United and Spurs Set Unwanted Records
Manchester United’s domestic campaign has been nothing short of disastrous. Under Ruben Amorim, who took charge in November, the Red Devils have failed to find consistency. They lost 18 league games and finished 16th with just 39 points, their worst top-flight finish since being relegated in 1974. To make matters worse, they’re winless in their last eight matches, including a 0-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend.
Tottenham’s season has arguably been even more turbulent. Ange Postecoglou’s side lost a club-record 21 league matches and finished 17th with 38 points, narrowly avoiding relegation. Their recent form has been dismal, with five losses in their last six games, the latest being a 0-2 defeat at Aston Villa.
Europa League: One Last Lifeline
With their domestic ambitions in tatters, both clubs have thrown everything into their Europa League campaigns. United have looked like a different team in Europe, cruising through the knockout rounds with a 5-2 win over Real Sociedad, a dramatic 7-6 aggregate victory over Lyon, and a dominant 7-1 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao. They remain unbeaten in the competition with 9 wins and 5 draws.
Tottenham have been similarly impressive, dispatching AZ Alkmaar 4-1 on aggregate, edging Frankfurt 2-1, and blowing past Porto 5-1. Their group-stage and knockout records stand at 9 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, powered by a potent attacking trio.
Key Absences and Players to Watch
Injuries remain a significant concern for both sides heading into the final. United will be without defenders Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, and Zirkzee. As a result, much of the responsibility will fall on Captain Bruno Fernandes, who has delivered an impressive 19 goals and 17 assists this season. Winger Amad Diallo, who recently returned from an injury, may play a role off the bench.
Spurs also face a depleted squad, missing key players such as Radu Drăgușin, James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, and Dejan Kulusevski. The attacking burden will fall on Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, and captain Son Heung-min, who have combined 43 goals and 23 assists this season.
Head-to-Head: History Favors United, Recent Form Favors Spurs
Historically, United has the upper hand with 95 wins, 52 draws, and 57 losses from 204 meetings. But recent encounters tell a different story. Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Red Devils (four wins, two draws) and have won all three meetings this season across league and cup, scoring eight goals.
For both clubs, this final is about more than lifting a trophy. It’s about salvaging pride, rewriting a painful season, and punching a ticket back into Europe’s elite competition. The winner claims the Europa League title and secures automatic entry into next season’s Champions League group stage.
Can Amorim guide United back to glory? Or will Postecoglou end Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought? The answers await in what promises to be a fierce and emotional Europa League final.
