Either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur will end a dismal campaign with Europa League glory, as both clubs secured their places in the final of Europe’s second-tier competition. Despite languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, a coveted Champions League spot is now just one match away.

Both troubled English sides booked their spots in the final on Thursday night. United cruised past Athletic Bilbao with a 4–1 victory at Old Trafford, completing a dominant 7–1 aggregate win. Tottenham, meanwhile, secured a 2–0 triumph away at Bodø/Glimt, sealing a 5–1 aggregate result.

The final, set to be played in Bilbao on 21 May, marks the second all-English Europa League final in six years, following Chelsea’s win over Arsenal in 2019.

“If we don’t win the final, it means nothing for us,” admitted United manager Rúben Amorim. “It’s hard to describe what it’s like to manage this club. You want to give the fans something, because we’ve been so disappointing in the Premier League.”

United had trailed 1–0 at half-time against Bilbao, but a second-half resurgence—spearheaded by substitute Mason Mount, who netted twice—turned the tide. Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund also found the net.

For Tottenham, Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro scored in Norway to see off Bodø/Glimt.

United and Spurs aiming to turn despair into redemption

A major European trophy would be sufficient to salvage what has been a forgettable season for both United and Spurs. More significantly, Europa League victory secures a place in next season’s lucrative Champions League—an outcome that seemed out of reach for most of the campaign.

United are currently 15th in the Premier League, having lost a club-record 16 matches and guaranteed their worst points total in the modern era. Tottenham are faring even worse, sitting one place below in 16th, having equalled a club record of 19 league defeats.

However, one of these sides now has the opportunity to all but erase their domestic shortcomings by lifting the trophy. The final will also mark the fourth meeting between the two teams this season—Spurs won all three previous encounters, including twice in the league and once in the League Cup.

“We are struggling, both of us, so I don’t know what is going to happen,” said Amorim. “That is a good thing and a bad thing with this team. I never know.”

Mount’s magic changes the game

United’s commanding aggregate victory belied their erratic performances throughout the season, which included the sacking of Erik ten Hag in October. Amorim, his successor, has presided over 12 losses in 24 league games.

Bilbao, who sit fourth in La Liga, attempted to mount a comeback after Mikel Jauregizar’s spectacular long-range strike gave them a glimmer of hope in the 31st minute. United appeared rattled under pressure, but the introduction of Mount in the 62nd minute changed everything.

Ten minutes later, the former Chelsea midfielder swivelled and curled a precise shot past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Casemiro restored United’s lead with a header in the 79th minute, followed by Højlund’s close-range effort in the 85th.

Mount completed his brace in stoppage time with a moment of brilliance, spotting Agirrezabala off his line and scoring from near the halfway mark.

This will be United’s third Europa League final in eight years, having won the trophy in 2017. They lifted the FA Cup last year and the League Cup in 2023, and victory in Bilbao would mean a third consecutive trophy-winning season. It would also mark Amorim’s first piece of silverware at the club, following two league titles with Sporting Lisbon.

“For me, it’s the most important [trophy] because it’s the next one,” said Amorim.

Postecoglou’s promise within reach

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has long maintained that he wins silverware in his second season at every club he manages. That was true at Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos and Celtic.

However, few Spurs fans would have believed that pattern could be repeated, given the team’s dismal domestic form this term.

Now, Postecoglou is one win away from delivering on that promise.

Tottenham entered the second leg in Norway with a 3–1 lead over Bodø/Glimt, the first Norwegian side to reach a major European semi-final. The tie remained delicately poised, especially given the challenges posed by the artificial pitch at the Aspmyra Stadion, located above the Arctic Circle.

However, Spurs killed off any hopes of a comeback with two quickfire second-half goals. Solanke scored in the 63rd minute, followed by Porro six minutes later.

Tottenham’s last major trophy came in 2008, when they won the League Cup.

Conference League: Chelsea to meet Betis

Chelsea will face Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final.

The Blues progressed with a 5–1 aggregate victory over Djurgården, winning the second leg 1–0 thanks to a goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Meanwhile, Real Betis drew 2–2 away to Fiorentina after extra time, securing a 4–3 aggregate win.