Manchester United: Europa League Final Underdogs? | OneFootball

By definition, an underdog is “a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest,” or “a person who has little status in society.” Hold onto that definition — it’s going to be very important for what I’m about to unpack.

Let’s be honest: Manchester United has been a shadow of its former self for over a decade. And this current season? It’s a masterclass in chaos, a real showcase of how far the mighty have fallen.

But in this storm of mediocrity, by the grace of the football gods, Manchester United has managed to pull off something… unprecedented (not un-presidented, unless you’re planning a coup at FIFA). It’s been totally out of the norm for the Red Devils.

United has gone undefeated in the Europa League this season, earning themselves a place in the final against another club that’s been riding the rollercoaster of disappointment — Tottenham Hotspur.

In fact, besides the final showdown, both clubs are rubbing shoulders at the bottom of the Premier League table. Manchester United sits in 16th, with Spurs just one point behind in 17th, and only one game left in the season.

Yet somehow, there’s a group of Manchester United fans — and even parts of the media — who believe we are the underdogs going into this final. Despite Spurs sitting below us in the league, we’re supposedly not the favourites?

I get where that thinking comes from… but I strongly disagree. And here’s why:

1. Let’s Talk Stats

Let’s bring back that definition of “underdog” and line it up with the cold, hard facts.

Total Competitive Wins (as of May 17, 2025)

(Note: Friendly matches not included. We’re not here to count kickabouts in Australia.)

Competition Breakdown:

Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur

So yeah, you could say Spurs have been more “consistent”… but consistency at mid-table mediocrity is like being the tallest short person. Doesn’t count for much.

2. Let’s Talk Mentality – The True Underdog Spirit

Take the Athletic Bilbao game as an example.

They came into the second leg trailing by three goals on aggregate. Their chances were microscopic. In addition to that, they were the underdogs in the second definition too — lesser known, less respected, and with fewer expectations.

Despite all that, their fans cheered till the very end.

Why?Simple — they knew they were the underdogs. They weren’t expected to win. So just being in the fight was enough to make them proud. That’s the true essence of an underdog — no shame, no fear, just passion and hope.

Now let’s flip that and look at Manchester United.

This club breathes legacy. It sweats out excellence. Victory is the bare minimum.

If we were to go down 3-0 by halftime against Spurs, at least 5–10% of the away end would start heading for the exits. If it’s still 3-0 by the 70th minute? That number grows. That’s not underdog behavior — that’s the reaction of a fanbase that expects better.

Underdogs fight till the bitter end.Favourites demand perfection.

3. What’s at Stake?

The last time Spurs lifted a trophy was way back in 2008. Meanwhile, United added yet another piece of silverware to the cabinet just last season.

The odds might feel stacked against us right now, but let’s be real — Manchester United has a better track record of showing up when the lights are brightest. A final is not a random midweek league match — it’s where legacy teams like ours still hold weight.

4. Calling Ourselves “Underdogs” is Emotional Damage in Real Time

Some fans calling United the underdogs? That’s just emotional insurance. A soft landing in case we lose. A way to cushion the pain and flip the narrative after the fact.

But let’s be honest — it’s borderline shameful. We’ve gone from a club that sets the bar, to one that tries to lower it in public just in case we trip over it.

It’s a bittersweet irony — a once-feared club, now reduced to romanticizing the role of the plucky outsider. We used to be the giants. Now we’re flirting with fairy tales.

But deep down, we know the truth.

We’re not the underdogs — we just don’t want to be held accountable if we fall short.

Are Manchester United the underdogs?

So… are we truly the underdogs?

No. Not by history. Not by expectation. Not by spirit.

If we give up that mindset, if we start embracing mediocrity just to avoid mockery, then yes — the Theatre of Dreams has finally awakened from its 100-year slumber… only to find itself a shadow of what it once was.

Long live Old Trafford. Let’s start acting like it.