Tottenham are currently unbeaten in six meetings with Manchester United, their longest sequence since 1921, never before going seven undefeated in this fixture.
Manchester United prevailed in the only previous cup final between the pair; the 2009 League Cup Final ended goalless, before the Red Devils triumphed 4-1 on penalties at Wembley.
Matches do not come much bigger than this. Both have endured historically diabolical Premier League campaigns, but one will capture silverware and qualify for next season's Champions League. For the other, pure misery, so the outcome of this match in Bilbao could be ear-defining for both.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United preview
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou declared in September that he always wins a trophy in his second season, and is now potentially 90 minutes away from delivering this manifesto promise.
Having finished fourth in the league phase, Spurs have since overcome AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodø/Glimt in the knockouts, smashing the Norwegian champions 5-1 over two legs, with Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro on target in the Arctic Circle. Thus, the Lilywhites could win this competition for the third time, having beaten Wolves in 1972 and then Anderlecht 12 years later.
In the Premier League, Tottenham suffered their 21st league defeat of the season on Friday night, beaten 2-0 at Villa Park, meaning they've yielded just a solitary point from their last six outings. So, Spurs remain 17th, on course for their lowest finish since being relegated in 1977, but victory at San Mamés will mean all of that is forgiven, as their 17-year trophy drought will be over.
For Manchester United, a near-identical equation, given that they're only one point and one place above their opponents in the Premier League table, most recently beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
The Red Devils have not won back-to-back league matches all season, with Rúben Amorim claiming just six wins from his 26 matches in charge since arriving in November. If the relegated clubs are removed, as well as matches involving them, Man United would be rock-bottom of the table, having collected a miserly five victories against the entire rest of the division.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils do remain unbeaten in the Europa League, concluding the league phase with five successive victories, before overcoming Real Sociedad, Olympique Lyonnais, in a dramatic extra time at Old Trafford, and then Athletic Club to reach the final.
Their run to Bilbao has certainly been eventful and memorable, but it'll only be worth it if they're hoisting the trophy aloft. Thus, this final is so difficult to call, so who will be Europa League winner at San Mamés on Wednesday?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 204.
- Tottenham Hotspur Wins: 57. Draws: 51. Manchester United Wins: 96.
Tottenham Hotspur team news
The main talking point surrounds Ange Postecoglou's midfield, considering that James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski are all sidelined due to injury. Wilson Odobert appears the most-likely candidates to be deployed as the number ten, as he was on Friday night.
For that defeat at Villa Park, Postecoglou heavily rotated, even Sergio Reguilón started, but will largely revert to the side victorious in Bødo under a fortnight ago. In a change from that night, fit again Son Heung-min is expected to start on the left-wing, with Richarlison the man to miss out.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Johnson, Odobert, Richarlison; Solanke.
Tottenham Hotspur player to watch vs Manchester United
This will be Son Heung-min's 454th appearance for Spurs, only Steve Perryman, Gary Mabbutt, Pat Jennings, Tom Morris, Cyril Knowles and Glenn Hoddle have made more. So, can the South Korean finally get his hands on some silverware for the very first time?
Manchester United team news
Rúben Amorim, in contrast to his opposite number, went strong at Stamford Bridge in an attempt to build some momentum; well that didn't work! He is without Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, leaving him very short of defensive options. So, having started just four matches all season, none in Europe, coukd Luke Shaw be part of the defensive line?
Elsewhere, Amorim does have choices. He could go with the more defensive midfield duo of Manuel Ugarte alongside Casemiro, as was the case against Athletic, but this would mean leaving out Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, scorer of a brace in that second leg.
Also, where does Amad fit into the equation? Assuming Bruno Fernandes is part of the front three, does Amad get the nod over Alejandro Garnacho? Alternatively, and this would be the bolder option, the Côte d'Ivoire could be deployed at wing-back, with Noussair Mazraoui at centre-back.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: (3-4-2-1): Onana; Lindelöf, Maguire, Mazraoui; Amad, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes, Højlund.
Manchester United player to watch vs Tottenham Hotspur
Bruno Fernandes will once again be Manchester United's talisman. He has 27 career Europa League goals to his name, a tally only bettered by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrik Larsson, Radamel Falcao, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dieter Müller and Edin Džeko. So, can Fernandes win the competition for the very first time?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United prediction
Tottenham have already beaten Man United three times this season, but that is unlikely to count for very much in Bilbao. Expect a night low on quality and high on tension; we're refusing to pick a winner, forecasting the final will be decided by penalties: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester United.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United FAQs
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United on TV
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United will be available on the following TV channels:
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate
- USA: Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision NOW & CBS Sports Network
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United on live stream
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: discovery+
- USA: Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision NOW & CBS Sports Network
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United takes place on Wednesday 21 May 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).