The upcoming UEFA Europa League final is a significant European club match, noteworthy partly because it features Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, teams who finished 16th and 17th in England this season. Both sides are competing for major silverware, hoping to end a disappointing domestic campaign on a high note.
This final marks the fourth encounter between these teams this season. So far, Tottenham has held a clear advantage, winning three matches and holding an 8-3 aggregate score against United. However, this cup final presents a unique scenario compared to their previous league meetings, not just due to the high stakes of a one-off trophy match. Both managers, Ange Postecoglou of Spurs and Ruben Amorim of United, face challenges in selecting their squads due to player availability, which adds tactical complexity to the game.
Key players are set to miss the final for both sides. Tottenham will be without important figures such as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. For Manchester United, the availability of central defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro remains uncertain. These significant absences are expected to heavily influence the match outcome and raise critical questions about which team holds an advantage across different positions on the field.
Ahead of the Europa League final clash in Bilbao, let`s compare Tottenham and Manchester United, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses position by position.
Goalkeeper
Neither Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham nor Andre Onana of Manchester United have had standout seasons, largely due to their teams` defensive vulnerabilities rather than individual errors. Reflecting their teams` overall struggles, both goalkeepers` statistics this campaign are quite similar, showing a low number of clean sheets and saves. However, Vicario appears to have a slight advantage. His performance metrics are marginally better than Onana`s, including expected goals against (averaging 1.3 per game compared to Onana`s 1.4) and save percentage (68.3% vs. 67%). Furthermore, Onana has shown a propensity for costly errors at times, leading to him being temporarily benched by Amorim during the semi-final stage.
Defenders
Tottenham appears stronger defensively, crucially benefiting from the full fitness of their key centre-back pairing, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Their importance is highlighted by the team`s struggles when either player has been absent due to injury. Statistics confirm their impact: when Romero and van de Ven play together (18 games this season), Spurs concede an average of 1.17 goals per game with an expected goals against of 1.07. Without them, these numbers worsen significantly to 1.47 goals conceded and 1.64 expected goals against. Supported by dynamic wing-backs like Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, Tottenham`s defense looks well-prepared for the final.
Manchester United, conversely, faces considerable challenges in defense, heavily reliant on the fitness of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, both of whom have been struggling with injuries. If they are unavailable, United will likely rely on a makeshift backline featuring players like Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, which does not inspire confidence. While Patrick Dorgu is a promising young left-back addition, he is still adapting in his first months at the club.
Midfielders
The midfield battle highlights the contrasting situations of the two finalists. Tottenham arrives significantly depleted in this area, missing key creative players like James Maddison, arguably their most crucial passer, and Dejan Kulusevski, who had a solid season. Rising talent Lucas Bergvall is also unavailable. This leaves Postecoglou with limited options, potentially relying on similar profiles such as Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, while awaiting fitness updates on Pape Matar Sarr. How the manager adapts and potentially integrates young players like Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore, as seen in a recent match, remains a major tactical puzzle.
Manchester United, while not facing as many absences, also has persistent issues in midfield. Casemiro continues to feature despite appearing past his peak, and Manuel Ugarte often carries a heavy burden trying to cover ground needed by more than one player. However, Bruno Fernandes remains a vital creative force, frequently carrying the team. He has publicly urged teammates to improve, but is likely prepared to take responsibility in the final regardless of their response. Despite ongoing issues, United`s available personnel give them a potential edge in the midfield contest compared to Spurs` depleted ranks.
Forwards
Tottenham`s attack has been a relative bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent season. They finished sixth in the Premier League for goals scored and ranked in the top half for shots, shots on target, and expected goals. Their scoring threat is spread across the team, with five players reaching double digits in goals across all competitions. Although James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski (part of this group) are out, Brennan Johnson surprisingly leads the line with 17 goals, and Dominic Solanke has contributed a solid 15 in his debut season. Captain Son Heung-min has also quietly delivered a respectable 11 goals and 11 assists.
In stark contrast, Manchester United has struggled significantly in attack, ranking 16th in the Premier League for goals and sitting in the bottom half for most other attacking metrics. Their difficulty in finding a consistent, impactful goalscorer is a major weakness. Only three players outside of Bruno Fernandes have scored 10 or more goals this season: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Amad Diallo. While these players are capable of delivering in big moments, their inconsistency throughout the season raises concerns about their collective ability to produce in the final.
Based on this positional analysis, Tottenham appears to hold a slight advantage heading into the final, particularly in defense and attack, though their injury-hit midfield remains a significant concern. Manchester United will rely heavily on key individuals like Bruno Fernandes to overcome their own defensive frailties and inconsistent attack.
