If you’re one of the lucky fans jetting off to Bilbao on May 21, get ready for an unusual spectacle—a Europa League final featuring two English giants whose domestic campaigns have been anything but triumphant.
A Surprisingly Empty Premier League Season
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both limped to finishes outside the Premier League’s top seven—United sitting 15th and Spurs in 16th place—far from the glory they’re chasing in Europe.
It’s a stark reminder that success in one competition often comes at the expense of another.
One Match to Rewrite Their Year
Ruben Amorim’s resurgent Spurs brushed aside Bodo/Glimt with a 3‑1 away win, while United dismantled Athletic Bilbao 3‑0 on Spanish soil.
With aggregate leads secured, both clubs have one foot in Bilbao’s final.
That single match now carries the promise of a Champions League berth and a first major trophy for Spurs since 2008.
Wenger Questions the Champions League Reward
Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger isn’t convinced the Europa League winner should leapfrog higher‑placed teams into Europe’s elite competition.
Speaking on BeIN Sports, he argued that winners deserve a spot in next season’s Europa League—but not necessarily a direct ticket to the Champions League, especially from a league that already fields five entrants.
He believes UEFA should review the policy that was introduced back in 2014.
Mid‑Table Teams and Continental Finals
Historically, it’s rare for clubs finishing outside the top dozen in their domestic leagues to make it all the way.
Sevilla did it from 12th place in LaLiga to lift the trophy in 2023, and Fulham nearly repeated the feat in 2010 after finishing 12th in the Premier League.
United themselves rode their 2018 Europa League triumph under José Mourinho to a Champions League return despite a sixth‑place league finish.
Amorim’s Singular Focus on Silverware
After a 4‑3 loss to Brentford that marked Spurs’ 16th league defeat, Amorim was unruffled.
“Losing in the Premier League hurts,” he admitted, “but fighting for a trophy takes that pressure away. Thursday’s semi-final is what matters now.”
With his eyes firmly on continental silverware, he’s betting Spurs can turn their season around in one headline match.
Big Questions for Football’s Future
Wenger, now FIFA’s head of global football development, has never shied away from bold ideas—biennial World Cups, offside tweaks, and continental qualification shake‑ups.
As the clock ticks down to Bilbao, the debate over who really deserves a Champions League spot is louder than ever—and a lot may hinge on what happens in that one London vs. London showdown.