Europa League final: Tottenham and Manchester United go to Bilbao for a competition that not only defines their seasons, but also has wrinkle effects for the next period
It all comes down to this. Seasons in the Premier League will be forgotten on Wednesday, while Tottenham and Manchester United are fighting in Bilbao.
The clubs are respectively 17th and 16th in the table at home – yes, the first two places above the relegation zone – but it was a different story on the continent. Injury hit Spurs have taken itself to a second European final in six years, a competition that can decide that he could be the future of Postecoglou.
Some would claim that the same applies to United. Ruben Amorim has completed the opposite of a new manager since he was appointed in November and if the Red Devils cannot bank 100 million that are accompanied by winning the trophy – thanks to a ticket to the Champions League – his ambition of rebuilding United in his own image an impossible task.
Will Postecoglou lead his vow to always win a trophy in his second season? Or will Amorim and his players continue to work their magic in Europe?
We asked the mirror football team for their predictions.
John Cross
The collision of the flops. We have to go all the way to Bilbao to look at two scared -average teams that throw it away in the Europa League final. But let's be clear – the rules were primarily and the root of the Champions League is a huge stimulus.
I have a sense of Tottenham. What a crazy season for Ange Postecoglou. Spurs has suffered 21 defeats in the Premier League and yet I still think they look a better team with their better XI than the mob at the moment Manchester United.
What does Ruben Amorim do? If you don't have players to play a system – don't play it! That will hurt them. Spurs clearly miss players, that strong XI cannot do field fields, but I think they will have just enough.
I would like to say it will be a thriller. But more like a comedy of errors. Neither are good in advance of both. But they are worse in defense. Tottenham to win an entertaining game.
Tottenham 3-2 Man Utd
Andy Dunn
The attitude of this Ruben Amorim side in Europe this season – compared to the gloomy domestic vibes that it delivers – is little remarkable. Although this is a second -class competition, Manchester United has thrown away a number of decent teams along the way and it could be argued that their way to the final was slightly more challenging than the one who was negotiated by the side of Ange Postecoglo.
And while Spurs has been defeated three times three times this season, Amorim's men approached this competition with a positivity that is painfully absent in the Premier League. Spurs will certainly feel that they can come to their opposition, but in the semi -final against Athletic Bilbao United showed that they can be well organized.
I don't see many goals in the game, but chic Harry Maguire to seal an unlikely trophy for United of a set piece.
Tottenham 0-1 Man Utd
Who wins the Europa League Final – Tottenham or Man Utd? Give us your score prediction in the commentary part.
Mike Walters
Spurs have won all three meetings between the parties this season, so it makes sense that they will make the four in a row … right? Uh, no. If you cannot defend for Toffee – and none of these teams can defend a fish supper – there will be no logic.
What is most unpleasant about a large European final between the two worst teams in the Premier League is the smell of money. The winners will receive their muzzle in the Champions League trog next season, and they won't really earn it.
With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, their two most creative players, I would have given Spurs the lead. But their absence gives United to drill a trophy from a season of non -unpleasant misery at the home front and in honesty they have succeeded in staying unbeaten this season in 14 games in Europe.
With absolutely no trust, and with all the science of fixing the tail on a donkey blindfolded like that party game, I go for United to win the Donkey Derby.
Tottenham 1-2 Man Utd
David McDonnell
A Europa League final between the parties in the 16th and 17th place in the Premier League is probably that it is one to enjoy – but it's all about the result for Manchester United and Tottenham. How you play in a final is not relevant.
The only thing that counts for United and Spurs is getting the trophy in the hands – and with it a ticket of £ 100 million to the Champions League. United has players back from injury at the right time, in particular Amad and Mason Mount, who are both impressed since the return, which gives Ruben Amorim more attacking options, as well as Luke Shaw, who brings experience with United's back.
Spurs -Baas Ange Postecoglou, on the other hand, misses important men James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, which is a big blow, given the inspiration and influence both can offer. Against that background I expect that United will grab the final, but with so much at stake for both teams in the all-or-nothing-confrontation, it is probably a tense, edgy meeting.
Tottenham 1-2 Man Utd
Neil McLeman
The Carabao Cup quarterfinals between these two poor sides in December was like their seasons – full of errors and goals and entertainment for the neutral. And this Europa League final could be the same, although I take Ruben Amorin's side to get to the right side of a seven-goal thriller this time.
It makes no sense that one of these two teams are trying to sit on some lead – they are just not good enough. It can be like a basketball game. Dejan Kulusevski was the man of the game at the Tottenham Stadium in that cup game and he will be heavily missed by Spurs.
Bruno Fernandes must be the best player on the field and make the difference. And so Ange Postecoglou will not always win a trophy in his second season.
Tottenham 3-4 MAN UTD
Jeremy Cross
The game with the 'El Crapico' label could come to which team does not perform the worst. These two games are at stake so much and it promises to be such a high-octane affair.
But although Spurs has been beaten three times three times this season, it is hard to believe that they can make it a fourth. And it cannot be overlooked that, in view of what United has overcome to reach this final, it feels like their name has been written on the trophy.
Spurs may have the better players, but United seems to have the fate in their team.
Tottenham 2-3 men utd
Tom Victor
The last time Spurs hired English opponents in a European final, it did not go to plan. Injury problems dominated the run-up to the game, they disappeared early and struggled to claim in a final 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.
This year, injury problems have dominated the run-up to the game, with Dejan Kulusevski a big loss in particular. If Manchester United takes an early lead, we can have a painful example of history that repeats itself.
Optimists in North London will have no doubt that Spurs will get better from United this season during their earlier meetings. However, what would be more tragicomic (I will not say 'Spursy') than winning three out of four but losing the one who matters.
If the Ange Postecoglou team wants to win this game, their best gamble can repeat the chaos of the Carabao Cup meeting in December. However, their opponents seem to peak at the perfect time in Europe and can be very good to win.
Tottenham 0-2 Man Utd