Tottenham vs Man United LIVE: Europa League final build-up and updates as Amorim confirms injury boost for Bilbao showdown

It is rare that a final arrives with such a sense of trepidation, but that is the case as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fight for the Europa League trophy this week in Bilbao.

Both sides arrive in the Basque Country needing a win just as much for financial and squad-building reasons as they do for morale, and for Manchester United especially it is a stark illustration of how far the club has fallen since the days of regularly challenging for the top honours.

It was in May 2005 that the Glazers purchased a controlling stake in the club, with fan protests having taken place at various points as a full takeover edged closer.

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.

The wealthiest clubs wanted more guarantees about qualifying for the Champions League, especially if they endured crisis seasons like United and Spurs have. Insiders insist that one reason they consequently removed the drop into the Europa League was specifically to give such clubs a clearer route back to the top.

Spurs and United have lost a combined 39 matches in the Premier League, with Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim under intense pressure to inspire change heading into next season and deliver on the big stage in a ‘shambolic’ final built by Uefa’s design.

TNT Sports has confirmed a huge change to its coverage by making the three major men’s European finals available to watch for free, including the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. The match is now available to watch for free, here’s how you can take advantage:

It is the eve of Tottenham Hotspur’s biggest game in six years, and one of the biggest in their history, but you wouldn’t have necessarily thought that from the discussion that dominated the pre-match duties. One scene immediately attracted everyone’s attention. There was tension and consequently some theatre.

It lamentably had nothing to do with the actual football, although it has an awful lot to do with one of the stories framing this final: Ange Postecoglou’s future and his general approach.

The Spurs manager chose the stage to upbraid a journalist over the use of the word “clown” in an article.

Hello and welcome to the Independent’s coverage of the Europa League final, it’s gameday!

The Europa League final is here and Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are now just hours away from a game at the San Mames, Bilbao which will define their seasons and drastically alter plans for the 2025/26 campaign.

After Postecoglou’s rant and vital fitness calls on a number of players ahead of kick-off, drama is guaranteed tonight.

Follow for all the latest updates and build-up from Bilbao with kick-off set for 20:00 BST: