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Europa League: Man Utd and Tottenham set up titanic battle to salvage season

Europa League: Man Utd and Tottenham set up titanic battle to salvage season

London, May 9 (UNI) Manchester United and Tottenham will meet in an all-English Europa League final on May 21.

Ruben Amorim's United saw off Spanish side Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate in their semi-final to progress, while Spurs got the better of Norwegians Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate.

United are looking to win the Europa League for the second time in eight years, while Tottenham are bidding to end a 41-year wait for European success.

It is the sixth all-English final in any major European competition - with half of them involving Spurs.

It also means there are six English teams in next season's Champions League.

Tottenham are looking to win a first trophy of any kind in 17 years and they will fancy themselves as favourites for the game in Bilbao, having beaten United three times already this season, the BBC reported.

Spurs won 3-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 at home in the Premier League and also triumphed 4-3 in the League Cup.

"If you think in the odds it's hard for the club to lose four times in a row," United boss Ruben Amorim said. "We can think that way."

Former Tottenham midfielder Glenn Hoddle agreed that it would be difficult for Spurs to win again.

"To beat a team four times also from the Premier League in one season is really tough," Hoddle said on TNT Sports.

He added: "It will be a titanic battle. Spurs have had the upper hand at the moment but United will be looking for revenge."

United last won the Europa League in 2016-17, when Jose Mourinho was manager. They lost the Europa League final 11-10 on penalties to Villarreal in 2021 when David de Gea missed his spot

kick for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Despite United's poor season domestically, ex-Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes is confident his former side will rise to the occasion in the final.

He said: "For some reason, the history of this club is almost like Real Madrid at times - when they aren't playing that well they can still go on and win European cups.

"Manchester United's history tells me they will win it, they know how to win trophies, Tottenham don't."

UNI BM

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