United and Spurs Given Opportunity to Salvage Dismal Domestic Campaigns | OneFootball

The UEFA Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United is a match filled with intriguing narratives. Do the winners truly deserve to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League? Will Ange Postecoglou remain as Spurs’ head coach if he delivers a trophy in his second season? And is Ruben Amorim the man to spearhead United’s long-awaited resurgence?

The result on Wednesday night will not conclusively provide answers to the questions surrounding this all-English final, but one thing is for certain: whoever comes out on top in Bilbao will become the lowest-ranked side in their domestic league campaign to win the Europa League.

Of the 30 clubs to have won the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup), none have won it having placed 14th or below in their domestic league. Inter Milan currently hold the current record for the lowest league finish by a winner, having won the competition in 1993-94 despite a 13th placed finish in Serie A. Yet the record is guaranteed to be claimed by either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur, who currently sit 16th and 17th in the Premier League respectively.

In fact, the lowest league finish by a team to win a major European trophy was set by West Ham United in 2022-23 when David Moyes’ side lifted the UEFA Conference League. At best, United or Spurs could only equal that league position.

Nonetheless, victory in the Europa League final would serve as a silver-lining for either side. For The Red Devils, it would mean a third trophy in three consecutive seasons and the first of the Ruben Amorim era. Since the Portuguese coach’s arrival, performances and results in the league have left a lot to be desired. Amorim’s focus has shifted entirely towards the Europa League, recognising that success would not only validate his project, but also provide the financial rewards required to invest into his squad.

For The Lilywhites, winning the Europa League would be less about what it achieves and more about what it represents – the end of a 17-year wait for a major honour. The club last won silverware in 2008 when they defeated Chelsea in the League Cup, but since then have suffered four losses in finals and narrowly missed out on winning the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino.

Come Wednesday evening in Bilbao, one side will be able to temporarily dismiss the troubles of their season and focus on the glory of winning the Europa League, while the other will have to face the infamy of what has been their worst season in modern history.

Europa League or Bust For Amorim

When Eric ten Hag departed Old Trafford in October, Manchester United were 14th in the Premier League, but only seven points off fourth spot. There was optimism among the United fanbase that Ruben Amorim’s arrival could spark a revival and salvage their season. However, the former Sporting manager has endured a torrid start to his career in England’s top-flight, picking up just six wins in his first 26 matches.

Sticking strictly to Premier League history, The Red Devils have already set a series of unwanted records this season. They are guaranteed to finish in their lowest-ever league position and record their worst points total. They have also secured their fewest wins and suffered their most defeats in a single Premier League campaign.

United’s uninspiring league form, combined with two domestic cup exits – including a quarter-final loss to Spurs in the EFL Cup – meant the Europa League was their only chance to paper over the cracks of a desperate season. Amorim pinned his hopes on a European cup run and, after reaching the final, is just one game away from making his decision look like a master stroke.

Incredibly, Manchester United remain unbeaten in the Europa League this season and are aiming to win a European trophy without defeat for the third time in their history (also in 1998-99 and 2007-08).

Five wins from their final five group matches saw United ease through to the Round of 16, where they comprehensively defeated Real Sociedad 5-2 on aggregate. They then produced a miraculous comeback in the dying moments of extra time in their quarter-final tie against Lyon to setup a semi-final clash against Athletic Club, who they comfortably saw off 7-1 across both legs.

It is essential for all involved at United that Amorim’s gamble pays off. From a sporting perspective, winning the Europa League would help somewhat overshadow the club’s disappointing league performance. More significantly, the financial gains would allow the club’s hierarchy to support Amorim’s plans in the transfer market and accelerate their progress on the pitch. Qualifying for next season’s Champions League would also place the club in better position to attract players of a higher-calibre.

Failure to deliver success will put Amorim under immense pressure, significantly hampering the club’s overall sporting project.

Ange’s Second-Season Prophecy

Like their opponents, Tottenham Hotspur have endured a record-breaking season for all the wrong reasons. An injury crisis has cast a cloud over the north London club for the majority of the campaign, leaving Ange Postecoglou isolated and constantly under pressure.

Following their loss to Aston Villa in their penultimate Premier League match, Spurs confirmed they will end the season on their lowest points tally in the league’s history. It was also their 25th loss in all competitions this season, matching a record set in 1991-92.

A lot of the criticism aimed at the Australian manager has arguably been self-inflicted, particularly due to a quote that has followed him throughout the course of the season. The Spurs boss said “I always win things in my second year” following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the North London Derby in September. Many saw it as a bold declaration, that he was promising Tottenham Hotspur would win a major honour this season.

If the club’s aim was to simply win a trophy this season, then Spurs’ efforts have reflected that. Despite their inconsistent league form, they have reached two semi-finals in a single season for the first time since 2018-19. Spurs held a 1-0 advantage in their semi-final tie against Liverpool in the EFL Cup earlier this year, but failed to progress after suffering a 4-0 thrashing at Anfield.

In Europe, however, they have managed to go one step further. They comfortably made their way through to the league phase, finishing fourth and a place below Manchester United. They then overcame a 1-0 first leg defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Round of 16, before edging past Frankfurt in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they eased past Bodø/Glimt to book their first Europa league final since 1983-84.

The sentiment behind Spurs winning the Europa League differs from United’s. While Champions League qualification and increased revenue will be welcomed with open arms, a first trophy since 2008 would be momentous.

The club have often been tagged with being ‘Spursy’, suggesting they constantly fall short on the biggest occasions. Yet perhaps this season they have more reason than ever to believe they can finally get over the line. Not only have they beaten United on three occasions this season, but this season has been the story of the underdog in English football. Newcastle United ended a 70-year trophy draught after winning the EFL Cup and Crystal Palace secured their first major honour in their history after a memorable victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Whether or not Spurs are successful in Bilbao, the writing appears to be on the wall for Ange Postecoglou. It seems increasingly likely that he and the club will part ways regardless of the result. Yet, he still has the opportunity to etch his name into Tottenham Hotspur folklore.

Redemption or Ruin?

The stakes for both clubs are clear. After putting all their eggs in one basket, Manchester United’s long-term future hinges on securing Champions League qualification. As for Tottenham Hotspur, the chance to play in Europe next season comes as bonus, but their attentions are purely focused on ending their long-overdue wait for a trophy.

So, will Ruben Amorim’s gamble prove to be successful, or will Ange Postecoglou bow out as a European champion?