Tottenham v Man United LIVE: Europa League final fever building before kick-off in Bilbao – UK Times

The two English sides might have found it much more difficult to get to Bilbao had Juventus and Manchester City dropped down from the Champions League in the way those outside the top 16 used to, but this was one of the subjects discussed in the major negotiations between 2019 and 2021 that ultimately led to the Super League crisis.

“I know that in this kind of club, also in Tottenham, but especially Manchester United, it’s strange, because you have some coaches that loses some games and they are sacked,” Ruben Amorim said.

“I think people see what we are trying to do. I think people see that sometimes I’m thinking more (about) the club than myself.

“People understand, especially the board, that we have a lot of issues. I will try to prove myself to the fans, to the board.”

“I don’t think my job is done here,” Postecoglou said.

“I really feel like we are building something. And what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate this. I still think there’s a lot of work to be done.

“That’s quite obvious with the challenges that we’ve had this year. But also, there’s been some growth that I would like to see through. I’m far from thinking that this job is finished.”

The Spurs captain had this to say about lifting the Europa League trophy:

“It would be very special and would be a historic moment but I [have been] here 10 years and I just want to win the trophy, which nobody has done in the 10 years I have been here.

“Tomorrow is going to be a massive day for the club and the boys and for me as well.”

The midfielder has been missing since the end of April due to a significant ankle ligament injury and missed the semi-final victory over Bodo/Glimt.

He was initially ruled out for the rest of the season but travelled with the Tottenham squad to Bilbao and was seen in training with the team.

The former United captain said: “If Manchester United win, they’ll celebrate a trophy but there will be a cautious celebration tomorrow – not by the fans, though, because they’ll obviously go crazy.

“Their interviews will be along the lines of them saying that they’re so happy and delighted for the fans, but it’s been a difficult season.

“That will be the tone of it. I don’t think there should be a parade through the city for them winning the Europa League.”

Johnson said: “I think we know, going into the final, we can’t rely on the fact that we’ve beaten them a few times this season.

“I think it’s about now coming up with a plan because each time we’ve beaten them has been down to different reasons.

“I feel like we’ve done good work preparing for Man United so now it’s about coming up with how we want to win, things we want to do, things we want to stop them from doing so it’s a new opportunity.

“We want to prepare and be as confident as we can.”

Maguire said: “Our fans, they’re greatest fans about, how we’ve performed for them, it’s unacceptable, but they’ve stuck with us.

“I’m surprised by how much, they’ve been incredible, the Europa has been a shining light. Hopefully one more memorable night for them.”

It is 7am on Sunday morning at Gatwick airport, three days before the Europa League final, and there are already a lot of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur shirts. Some are travelling to Bilbao this early because flights are almost a thousand pounds cheaper.

A few have friends on connections hundreds of miles in the opposite direction, through Malaga and even Marrakesh. A group are getting the 35-hour ferry from Portsmouth. Some are only in Bilbao for the game itself, due to a total lack of accommodation. Even hostels are going for £550.

Spurs fan Adam Nathan talks of “spending the best part of another season ticket to attend the game”.

Are Spurs more confident having beaten Manchester United three times already this season?

That was a question asked of Ange Postecoglou who replied: “It’s a final and those kind of things aren’t important. What I do know is, even your form going into it, even if you’re in terrible form – it doesn’t matter.

“What matters is how the players cope with the occasion, how they cope with understanding the importance of the game – from both clubs.

“You just don’t know how players will react to such a big occasion.”