Tottenham and Manchester United are set to clash in the final of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League. This highly anticipated match represents a critical opportunity for both English giants to secure qualification for next season`s Champions League. The final will be held on Wednesday at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao. Tottenham is aiming for their first European trophy since 1984 and a first title of any kind since winning the League Cup in 2008. Meanwhile, Manchester United seeks to replicate their 2017 Europa League victory in what will be the second all-English final of the competition`s modern era. Both teams are navigating injury concerns leading up to the final, as acknowledged by their respective managers, Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou emphasized the significance of the upcoming match. He stated, “It is a great prize. You know the significance of Champions League qualification and what comes with it. You get to play against the best on the continent.” However, he underlined that winning a trophy is the primary goal, especially given the club`s long drought, saying, “But the club has been in the Champions League before, they have not won a trophy for a long time – so that is the most important thing.”
Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son, who recently returned to the team and started over the weekend for the first time in weeks, is confirmed to start against Manchester United. Postecoglou highlighted Son`s crucial role, stating, “He is so important to the group. He is so important as a leader and he is such an important figure at this football club. It would be great to cap his career off with a trophy for him.”
Regarding injuries for Tottenham, midfielder Lucas Bergvall has been ruled out, and James Maddison is unavailable. However, Pape Matar Sarr is fit to play, having overcome a back issue sustained recently. Several other players are ineligible for the final, including Antonin Kinsky, Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, and former Manchester United player Sergio Reguilon. Former Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski has joined Radu Dragusin and Dane Scarlett on the injury list and will miss the match on Wednesday.
On the Manchester United side, manager Ruben Amorim expressed pleasant surprise regarding the recovery of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who is available for the final. Amorim noted the players` strong desire to participate and push through minor issues. He remarked, “So they recover quite well. They push, of course, and we have to respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit, as they wanted to be part of the team. That is a very good sign. Very good for us.” He added that while their minutes might be limited, recovered players can still contribute significantly, saying, “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game.”
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr; Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Heung-Min Son.
Manchester United XI: Andre Onana; Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui; Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund.
Dominic Ashworth