The all-Premier League final is set in what will effectively be a playoff between Manchester United and Spurs for a Champions League place next season.
Man Utd’s 4-1 win vs Athletic sealed their place in Bilbao on May 21, while Spurs did the business away in Norway, winning 2-0 to seal a 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo.
Both clubs find themselves in a similarly depressing situation domestically so this might just be the most intensely contested Europa League final of all time.
In a game with such high stakes, Paul Scholes has said that United have something that Spurs don’t, and it will be enough to get them over the line in Bilbao.
Paul Scholes on Man Utd vs Spurs Europa League final
It is worth noting that Spurs have faced Man Utd three times this season alone – twice in the league and once in the Carabao Cup.
United were on the losing side for all three games, under both managers – Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, with the Carabao Cup loss ending their journey in that tournament.
Amorim cut a smirking figure when asked about that record, cheekily claiming that the odds favour United now because it’s hard for a team to lose four times!
Scholes, on the other hand, went for the intangibles, saying United have the edge over Tottenham in the final because they have something that their domestic rivals don’t.
He said: “Man Utd know how to win trophies, Tottenham don’t… I just think the history of the club will get them over the line.”
He added that United have regularly competed for trophies even in their worst era for competitiveness, likening them to Real Madrid where they find a way to win silverware despite not being at their best.
Ruben Amorim can’t get caught in intangibles
While there’s certainly some weight to Scholes’ comments, and the remarkable comeback win vs Lyon only added to the lore of Man Utd, Amorim won’t be sidetracked.
He knows how big a challenge Spurs pose for his side since they’re in a similar do-or-die situation with their season.
Spurs will miss some key players which will be a relief to Amorim but he won’t be relying on any intangibles like “knowing how to win trophies” when he prepares for Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou has cut a determined figure in Europe this season, almost defiant in the face of criticism, already promising earlier this season that he wins things in his second season.
It is sure to be a spicy clash but United’s ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and their “clutch gene” could make a decisive difference when the stakes are highest.
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