Europa League Final: Spurs Rule this Fixture, but History Favors Manchester United | OneFootball

Spurs will take on Manchester United next Wednesday in an all-English final, which is likely to be a competitive encounter.

Tottenham’s positive record against Manchester United

Neither Manchester United nor Tottenham have had a good season and that is putting it mildly. The two sides sit 16th and 17th respectively in the Premier League table, closer on points to the relegation zone than the top 7. If the table remains as it is, both teams will record their worst ever Premier League finishes.

However, one side has clearly looked stronger than the other when the teams have faced off against each other and that is Tottenham. Staggeringly, the North London outfit have picked up more than 15 percent of their total Premier League points tally this season against Manchester United.

Spurs tore United to shreds in their first clash of the season, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford. This was followed by a somewhat bizarre 4-3 victory for Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, less than three months later. The third meeting once again ended in defeat for United, this time by a single goal scored by James Maddison.

The last time United defeated Tottenham was in 2022 when Antonio Conte was in charge of the Lilywhites, so as far as the recent head-to-head goes, it’s advantage Spurs.

Spurs are poor in cup finals

When the stakes are raised, it can feel like a totally different ball game. This certainly seems to have been the case for Tottenham in recent years, as they have lost four consecutive cup finals since winning the League Cup in 2008.

Man United are far from perfect at the last stand of cup competitions. Their most recent appearance in the Europa League final ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Villarreal. However, the Red Devils have won two of the past three finals they have competed in, including last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Also, United have won eight major trophies since Tottenham’s last triumph, as well as three Community Shields. Therefore, recent history is definitely on the side of Ruben Amorim’s men.

This game matters to both clubs

A victory for Tottenham on Wednesday would be more important than a victory for Manchester United, there’s no question about that. Spurs have fallen short time and time again, from finishing second in the Premier League, to losing the Champions League final six years ago. Ending a 17-year wait for a trophy would be the club’s greatest achievement in the 21st century.

To add further importance to a victory, Ange Postecoglou needs a win so badly. He has been targeted by the media and supporters alike ever since he declared he always wins trophies in his second season. If he beats the odds and maintains this record, he will silence his doubters in superb fashion.

United, however, still have an incentive to win, after enduring an abysmal season. This is the only way to bring some merit to a truly awful campaign and Amorim needs it as much as anyone. The Portuguese manager has been accused of making his team worse than when Erik Ten Hag was the manager, which has got to hurt.

We should be in for an exciting finale to the Europa League next Wednesday. Say what you will about the Premier League duo’s seasons, but if their first two meetings this season are anything to go by, there should be some fireworks in Bilbao!