Both leaders of the two factions which rule Manchester United are set to be in attendance for the club’s season-defining Europa League final in Spain tomorrow.
Ruben Amorim’s side travelled to Bilbao today ahead of Wednesday night’s ‘All-England’ clash with Tottenham Hotspur – a side they have lost to three times already this season.
The team which emerges victorious will salvage success from an otherwise abysmal season domestically for both clubs as United and Spurs are currently languished in 16th and 17th place in the Premier League table.
But winning the final offers automatic qualification into next year’s Champions League and the vast array of benefits entry into Europe’s elite competition brings.
Revenue worth as much as 100 million is secured by playing in the tournament next season. It also acts as an important negotiating gambit in the transfer market as every players wants to play in the Champions League.
And it also provides the minor matter of an actual European title, though the Europa League trophy would be an afterthought in the glittering cabinet at Old Trafford.
By contrast, it would resemble more of an Eifel Tower in the rather sparse equivalent at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and be a high point in the Lilywhites’ history.
Amorim is set to welcome back Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, and Joshua Zirkzee from injury after all three players took part in first-team training today and were part of the travelling squad to Bilbao.
However, defensive rock Matthijs de Ligt just missed out as he was only able to take part in an individual fitness session at Carrington. He has still joined his team in the journey to the Estadio de San Ames.
The Dutch international is set to be joined in the stands by United’s co-owners, Joel Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe – leaders of the Glazer family and INEOS respectivel – according to Samuel Luckhurst (Manchester Evening News).
Joel Glazer is in Bilbao for the Europa League final. Sir Jim Ratcliffe also expected to be in attendance tomorrow night. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 20, 2025
Tweet: “Joel Glazer is in Bilbao for the Europa League final. Sir Jim Ratcliffe also expected to be in attendance tomorrow night.”
The pair were present for last season’s FA Cup win at Wembley in May when Erik ten Hag lead the Red Devils to a pulsating 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Amorim will be hoping for a similar triumph over a Premier League rival in another final for the Reds tomorrow night.
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Darragh Fox Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
