Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are facing a make-or-break moment in their Europa League campaigns this week, with both teams having underperformed by their own high standards this season.
Thursday night sees both teams fighting for survival in Europe, after enduring miserable domestic campaigns that have left fans and management alike questioning their future.
A Disastrous Domestic Campaign for Both Teams
As the 2024-25 Premier League season progresses, both Tottenham and Manchester United find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the table.
After 32 matches, Spurs sit 15th, while United are just above them in 14th.
This poor performance has put significant pressure on both managers, Ruben Amorim at United and Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, who now face mounting calls for their jobs.
With only 12 wins each, the two clubs are now relying heavily on European success to salvage what is left of their seasons.
Postecoglou’s Struggles at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou, who arrived at Tottenham with high expectations after his successful spell at Celtic, has found it difficult to maintain consistency in the Premier League.
Spurs have struggled through an injury crisis, yet with nearly a full squad available, the results have not improved.
The fans have grown increasingly disillusioned with Postecoglou’s tactics, and protests against both him and club chairman Daniel Levy have intensified.
Postecoglou’s free-flowing, attacking style, which was celebrated at Celtic, has failed to deliver the desired results at Spurs.
In fact, his failure to address defensive weaknesses and his frustration during post-match interviews have contributed to the strained relationship between the manager and the fans.
Spurs’ recent 4-2 loss to Wolves, where Postecoglou refused to engage with supporters, highlighted the growing disconnect between the team and its supporters.
Amorim’s Challenges at Manchester United
Meanwhile, at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has faced a similarly tough season.
Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim has struggled to lift the team.
Despite a promising start, United’s domestic form has been disastrous, and Amorim’s win percentage stands at just 29%, the lowest of any Red Devils manager in Premier League history.
Although Amorim has managed to keep United undefeated in the Europa League, his inability to translate that success into domestic victories has left fans frustrated.
United’s struggles have been compounded by defensive mistakes, notably from goalkeeper Andre Onana and other key players.
Despite these challenges, Amorim remains determined to turn things around, admitting that this is one of the most challenging periods in the club’s history.
Statistical Breakdown: Spurs vs. United in 2024-25
Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that both teams have struggled to meet expectations this season.
Spurs have scored 59 goals in all competitions, ten more than United, yet they have conceded 53 goals, more than any other team in the top half of the table.
Their defensive woes, including a high number of errors leading to shots, have made them vulnerable.
United, on the other hand, have scored 49 goals and conceded 48, but their shot conversion rate remains a concern.
Interestingly, Tottenham has massively outperformed their expected goals (xG) tally, suggesting that their attacking play has been more efficient than expected, while United’s xG closely aligns with their actual goal tally, indicating a lack of clinical finishing.
United’s struggles in front of goal have been particularly evident with Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored just eight goals in 43 matches this season.
Defensive Woes for Both Clubs
Both Tottenham and United have been heavily criticized for their defensive lapses.
Spurs’ high defensive line has exposed them to numerous counter-attacks, and their goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, has been responsible for a number of costly mistakes, including in their recent loss to Wolves.
On the other hand, United’s defense, while slightly more solid, has also been prone to errors, with Onana and Altay Bayindir both making significant mistakes in recent games.
Both clubs have conceded more than 1.5 goals per game, with Spurs averaging 1.6 goals conceded per match and United slightly better at 1.5.
The poor defensive records of both teams have added to the pressure on their managers, especially with the Europa League looming as the last chance for redemption.
Europa League: A Final Lifeline for Both Managers
With both teams struggling domestically, the Europa League has become a vital competition for both Postecoglou and Amorim.
A successful run in Europe could be the only way for either manager to salvage their jobs.
For United, a Europa League victory would provide a much-needed boost to Amorim’s tenure, especially since he inherited a squad that wasn’t his own and hasn’t had the opportunity to fully reshape the team.
For Tottenham, Postecoglou’s future could hinge on how they perform in their upcoming Europa League ties, especially their crucial clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Pundits, including Jamie Carragher, have suggested that failure to progress in Europe could result in Postecoglou’s departure, regardless of whether the club wins the Europa League.
Looking Ahead: Can Either Club Bounce Back?
Both Tottenham and Manchester United have their work cut out for them if they hope to salvage their seasons.
While the Europa League offers a potential lifeline, both managers will need to address their respective teams’ defensive issues and find a way to improve their domestic form.
Whether they succeed or fail, this season will likely go down as one of disappointment for both clubs, who have long been accustomed to competing at the top of English football.