The upcoming UEFA Europa League final represents the first of several major European club showdowns scheduled over the next fortnight. This particular fixture is somewhat unique, featuring Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – teams that finished 16th and 17th respectively in England`s domestic league – now competing for a significant trophy that could provide some redemption for challenging seasons.
This will be the fourth and final encounter between these sides during the current campaign. So far, the head-to-head record heavily favors Tottenham, who have secured three victories against the Red Devils this season, outscoring them by an aggregate of 8-3. However, the context for Wednesday`s match is distinct from their previous meetings, not least because of the inherent unpredictability of a winner-take-all final. Both managers, Ange Postecoglou for Spurs and Ruben Amorim for United, may also face selection challenges due to potential squad limitations, adding another layer of tactical complexity to the decider.
Significant player absences could significantly impact the final`s dynamic. Tottenham is set to miss key creative players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. For Manchester United, the availability and potential contribution of defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro on Wednesday remain uncertain. These combined injury situations are likely to influence how the final unfolds and raise critical questions about which team truly possesses an advantage in different areas of the pitch.
With the Europa League final fast approaching, here is an analysis comparing Tottenham and Manchester United across key positions.
Goalkeeper: Tottenham Hotspur
Neither Guglielmo Vicario for Tottenham nor Andre Onana for Manchester United has enjoyed a particularly stellar season, a performance level often reflecting their teams` defensive struggles rather than solely individual form. Mirroring their clubs` somewhat underwhelming campaigns, statistics show both keepers have had similar outputs, with limited clean sheets and a modest number of saves. Nonetheless, a slight advantage leans towards Vicario. He posted marginally superior numbers in several categories, including expected goals against (averaging 1.3 per game across all competitions compared to Onana`s 1.4) and save percentage (68.3% for Vicario versus 67% for Onana). Onana has also demonstrated susceptibility to errors at times, which even led to manager Amorim dropping him temporarily between the semifinal legs.
Defenders: Tottenham Hotspur
The defensive picture is heavily influenced by injury status, and in this department, the news is positive for Tottenham, who expect to have their full complement of defenders available. The central pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven is fundamental to Tottenham`s tactical approach and overall success; indeed, the team`s mid-season slump coincided directly with their extended injury layoffs. This defensive duo has only featured together in 18 matches this season, yet the impact is clear: with Romero and van de Ven, Tottenham averaged 1.07 expected goals against and conceded 1.17 goals per game. Without them, those numbers worsened significantly, rising to 1.64 expected goals against and 1.47 goals conceded. Supported by capable wingbacks like Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, Spurs` back line appears relatively robust heading into the final.
Manchester United, in stark contrast, faces considerable defensive hurdles. Their most important defender, Matthijs de Ligt, has been grappling with various injuries in recent weeks, and his fitness for Wednesday is uncertain, as is that of Leny Yoro. This situation could leave United deploying a makeshift defensive unit, potentially featuring players such as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, which does not inspire the same level of confidence. While Patrick Dorgu represents a promising addition at left-back, he is still in the early stages of his development at the club and has yet to fully realize his potential.
Midfielders: Manchester United
The midfield area perhaps best highlights the differing situations of the two finalists this season. Tottenham arrives in Bilbao significantly understaffed in this vital zone, while Manchester United`s midfield, though not facing the same depth crisis, has its own structural issues. Tottenham will be without key creative players: James Maddison, arguably their most crucial passer, and Dejan Kulusevski, who had a quietly effective campaign. Young talent Lucas Bergvall is also unavailable. Postecoglou will likely have to rely on players with similar profiles like Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, potentially alongside a questionable Pape Matar Sarr. The manager might need to adapt roles for youngsters such as Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore, as seen in their recent loss at Aston Villa, making how he addresses the midfield imbalance a major tactical puzzle for the final.
By default, the advantage might reside with Manchester United. Their midfield has been a persistent area of concern; Casemiro continues to play despite appearing past his peak, and Manuel Ugarte is frequently left trying to cover an overwhelming amount of ground, a task too large for a single player. Despite these systemic problems, Bruno Fernandes has consistently demonstrated the ability to carry the team through his determination, frequently demanding more from his teammates. Whether his colleagues can collectively step up to meet his challenge remains an open question, but Fernandes himself is likely prepared to bear the load on Wednesday, regardless of the support he receives.
Forwards: Tottenham Hotspur
Despite an otherwise inconsistent season for Tottenham, their attacking unit has performed relatively well. They rank sixth in the Premier League for goals scored and are positioned in the top half of the league for metrics like shots, shots on goal, and expected goals. Their goal threat is distributed across multiple players, with five members of the squad reaching double figures in goals across all competitions this season. While this group includes James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski (both unavailable), Brennan Johnson surprisingly leads their scoring charts with 17 goals this term, closely followed by Dominic Solanke with a respectable 15 in his first season at the club. Captain Son Heung-min has also had a solid, if understated, season, contributing 11 goals and 11 assists.
This output stands in stark contrast to Manchester United`s forward line. They rank a lowly 16th in the Premier League for goals and are in the bottom half for most attacking statistics. United`s ongoing difficulty in signing and integrating a consistently prolific goalscorer is a significant factor here. Aside from Bruno Fernandes, only three other players have scored 10 or more goals this season: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Amad Diallo. While these players have shown flashes of individual brilliance and delivered in crucial moments, there are sufficient examples of them failing to meet expectations to raise concerns about their collective ability to perform consistently on the biggest stage on Wednesday.
