Manchester United have been beaten 1-0 in the Europa League Final.
A goal late in the first half from Brennan Johnson, that appeared to be a Luke Shaw own goal, was enough to give Tottenham the win over Manchester United.
United’s best chances came in the first half from Amad, while Rasmus Hojlund saw a header cleared off the line.
Tottenham’s goalkeeper was forced into good saves from Alejandro Garnacho and Luke Shaw, but United could not find a breakthough.
This season has been a total disaster, and this game summed it up.
55 minutes, United still trail 1-0
The second half has been flat. United need to make a change.
[Link]Tottenham score 1-0
Brennan Johnson scores from close range in the 41st minute.
This may end up going down as a Luke Shaw own goal.
[Link]30 minutes in, still 0-0
Amad Diallo has come closest, fizzing a shot agonizingly wide. The Ivorian looks a threat every time he gets possession.
[Link]15 minutes in, score 0-0
Corners for both teams and a few nervous moments but the game remains scoreless.
[Link]We are underway!
United In Focus will keep you up to date with all key events from the match…
The players are out the tunnel
United’s side are lining up and look ready to go to war. Let’s win this!
Ruben Amorim is focused on winning
Ruben Amorim was asked pre-game about what the trophy does for Manchester United’s transfer budget.
His response was clear – the trophy is all that matters tonight: “I think the most important thing is not the money in the summer, it’s the feeling that we can get by winning this trophy.
“The feeling we can deliver to our fans, they suffer a lot this year. You know better than anyone we are a club of connection with everybody, we are like a family. To build that belief we need to win trophies.
“Today we have a massive opportunity. In this moment, I don’t care about Champions League or nothing like this, I am just focused on delivering that feeling to everyone in our club.”
[Link]Another big night needed from Harry Maguire
Will we see Harry Maguire on the scoresheet? His late goals have been crucial in the competition, with an equaliser against Porto, and that dramatic winner vs Lyon.
United are out warming up
Manchester United’s players are out warming up on the pitch and the supporters have given them a rapturous welcome, with the stands filling up.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is here, and so is Avram Glazer
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is in attendance in Bilbao, and as we reported, Avram Glazer has also flown out to Spain – no doubt at considerable expense to Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim is confident
Ruben Amorim has been speaking about his mood ahead of kick-off…
“I’m relaxed now. I think I did my job, if you can say that. Now it’s with the players. I’m really confident.
“I really enjoyed the last two trainings. And when you have these kind of trainings, you feel relaxed. Because I trust in the guys.”
Pre-game words
Alejandro Garnacho has been spotted having a chat pre-game with former United loanee Sergio Reguilon, still on Tottenham’s books.
Reguilon is not eligible to play in this game, while Garnacho is on United’s bench.
Reaction to the XI
How do we feel about that then?
The big decision was whether Manuel Ugarte would start alongside Casemiro, or if it would be Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo.
Fernandes gets the nod, with Garnacho benched for Mason Mount to start the biggest game of his United career.
It’s great to see Leny Yoro back among the starters, and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench.
[Link]Tottenham XI
And here’s the Tottenham line-up…
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison
Notably, Son is on the bench…
[Link]Confirmed Man Utd XI
Onana
Yoro
Maguire
Shaw
Mazraoui
Casemiro
Fernandes (c)
Dorgu
Amad
Mount
Hojlund
Substitutes: Bayindir, Amass, Dalot, Evans, Heaven, Lindelof, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
[Link]Sir Alex Ferguson is in Bilbao
Sir Alex Ferguson has been spotted pitchside ahead of the game. Let’s hope United can make his visit worthwhile!
Flags on the seats
Manchester United flags have been placed on the seats in the Red Devils end in Bilbao, with supporters set to make their way in shortly.
The biggest decisions for Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has huge decisions on his hands for the Europa League final. We have been breaking them down…
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The best team in the competition
Manchester United have been the best team in the Europa League this season.
From being the only unbeaten team in the group stages, this run has continued through the knockouts en route to the final.
The data supports United’s success in the Europa League this season – now we just need to see it through!
Predicted line-up
Nobody knows the line-up Ruben Amorim will pick for this game after a wildly unsuccessful season to this point.
Our predicted line-up makes a bold call with Mason Mount among the starters…
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Manchester United squad
Here’s a reminder of the full Manchester United squad who have traveled to Bilbao…
Goalkeepers
Altay Bayindir
Tom Heaton
Dermot Mee
Andre Onana
Defenders
Harry Amass
Patrick Dorgu
Diogo Dalot
Jonny Evans
Tyler Fredricson
Ayden Heaven
Victor Lindelof
Harry Maguire
Noussair Mazraoui
Luke Shaw
Leny Yoro
Midfielders
Casemiro
Toby Collyer
Christian Eriksen
Bruno Fernandes
Kobbie Mainoo
Mason Mount
Manuel Ugarte
Forwards
Amad
Alejandro Garnacho
Rasmus Hojlund
Joshua Zirkzee
OK so here’s the bad news…
If there is one major doubt about this Europa League Final, it’s Manchester United’s record against Tottenham this year.
Three games, and three losses.
We hope this is a repeat of the FA Cup Final last year, where United lost twice to City in the league, and then won the game that really mattered…
Key times…
OK so here are the times you need to know:
– 6.45pm: Team line-ups
– 8pm: Kick-off
– Approximately 10.10pm: Trophy lift…
[Link]Our predictions are in…
United In Focus writers have been busy predicting the outcome of the Europa League Final.
Just be warned we are a little biased, despite the way this season has gone…
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Another European final for Manchester United
This will be Manchester United’s ninth European final. We have won five. And if you really want to feel old, it is 17 years to the day we beat Chelsea in Moscow.
Let’s take a look at how the other ones went down…
Graphic via Sofascore
[Link]The countdown is on…
Welcome to the United In Focus live blog for the Europa League Final.
Three hours until kick-off for the biggest game of the season, the only game that matters!
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