This Wednesday, May 21, San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao will host a high-stakes Europa League Final between two wounded giants: Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Far from their ambitions in the Premier League, both sides finished near the bottom of the table, leaving this match as their only shot at redemption—and a lifeline to qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Amorim and Postecoglou, Searching for Redemption

United began the campaign under Erik ten Hag, but a string of poor results saw him sacked in October 2024. Rúben Amorim took over in November, and while league form remained dire (16th place finish), the team found its stride in Europe—including a dominant 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Club in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham started strong but crumbled in the second half of the season. Like United, they also missed out on European qualification via the league, making this final crucial to avoid a complete collapse.

More Than Just a Trophy

For Tottenham, a win would end a 17-year trophy drought and restore international relevance. For Manchester United, it's a chance to validate Amorim’s project and show they’re still capable of competing on the big stage.

This isn’t just about silverware—it’s about salvaging pride, justifying leadership changes, and keeping hopes alive for the future. What should be a celebration is, instead, a must-win match with enormous stakes.

One of these clubs will leave Bilbao with a sigh of relief—the other with a season they'd rather forget.