Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have defied domestic struggles to secure a place in the UEFA Europa League final, setting up an all-English showdown with Champions League qualification at stake. The two Premier League clubs advanced on Thursday after emphatic semifinal victories, offering a silver lining to otherwise disappointing league campaigns.
United overturned a halftime deficit against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford, with substitutes Mason Mount and Casemiro spearheading a dramatic 4-1 second-leg victory (7-1 aggregate). Meanwhile, Tottenham sealed a 5-1 aggregate win over Norway's Bodo/Glimt through a composed 2-0 away performance.
"If we don't win the final, it means nothing," said United coach Ruben Amorim, capturing the high stakes. "This club demands trophies. Our fans deserve celebration after our Premier League disappointments."
The final marks the second all-English Europa League decider since 2019, when Chelsea defeated Arsenal. For both clubs, European success now represents a crucial path to Champions League revenue – a vital consideration for investors monitoring football's evolving economic landscape.
