Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur may be struggling domestically, but despite their dire Premier League form this season, both sides stand on the verge of meeting one another in an unprecedented all-English UEFA Europa League Final at the San Mames stadium in in Bilbao, Spain on 21 May.
Victory in Europe’s secondary club football tournament is a chance to salvage what has been a dismal season for both sides, not to mention the only route to European football next season, with the winner set to book a much-coveted place in the Champions League.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for either side, and while neither can claim to have had a fantastic season even if they lift a European title, the financial windfall from winning, and cost from losing out, makes Champions League qualification essential, given the aspirations of both clubs.
The estimated value of Champions League qualification is anything upwards of £100m, with the available prize money having increased since the competition was restructured, while Europa League qualification is worth closer to £40m. According to the BBC, Arsenal is thought to have banked almost £97m so far, after the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, beating Real Madrid in style over two legs.
Alongside the considerable financial benefits and bragging rights that come with Champions League participation, the prospect of playing in Europe’s premier club competition also helps to attract higher calibre players, which both clubs desperately need.
United have been woeful this season, initially struggling under Dutchman Erik Ten Hag’s leadership, before swapping for Sporting’s Ruben Amorim in November. Since then, results in the Premier League have not improved, with the Manchester club currently lying 15th, having lost 16 games this season, and on track to record the club’s lowest ever Premier League points tally. Qualification to the Champions League would help United’s Profit and Sustainability position and contribute to a much-needed squad overhaul this summer, as Amorim looks to bring in players that fit his preferred 3-4-3 style which are currently in short supply.
Meanwhile Tottenham sit just below United in 16th, having conceded 57 goals domestically, with only the four teams beneath them faring worse defensively. Australian manager Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to find European success to maintain his 100% record of “always winning a cup in his second season”, although there are strong rumours that he will not be in the coach next season, whatever happens in May’s final (assuming Tottenham don’t crash out in the semi-final second leg!)
In Europe, both clubs have fared considerably better, with Man Utd recording a 3-0 win against Basque-based Athletic Club Bilbao, who will have to do something special to overturn such a deficit and make it to an unprecedented Europa League final on home turf. That said, this United team look capable of throwing away even the most commanding leads, and with the talented Williams brothers at their disposal, Los Leones will still be hoping for a miracle.
Meanwhile, Tottenham came through 3-1 winners against Bodø/Glimt, and should have sufficient quality to see through the second leg although the four-time Norwegian champions (2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024) could still upset the apple cart.
Normally the prospect of two English clubs making it to a European final would be a mouthwatering prospect, but such is the poor form of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur that it is very difficult to predict who could come out victorious. We may be in for an absolute classic, but there’s just as much chance that the result will be decided by some embarrassing mistake or incredibly costly error.
Ultimately there can only be one winner, and the fortunes of each club over the next few years will be influenced considerably by whether they secure access to FIFA’s Champions League next season. Good luck to both teams in their semi-final second leg matches and may the best team win when they hopefully face one another on 21 May!
Contact our Sports Law and Corporate & Commercial expert:
David Little is a Partner at Bishop & Sewell in our expert Sports Law and Corporate & Commercial teams.
If you would like to contact him, please call on either 07968 027343 or 020 7631 4141 or email: company@bishopandsewell.co.uk.
The above is accurate as at 8 May 2025.
The information above may be subject to change.
The content of this note should not be considered legal advice, and each matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
