The European season is set to conclude with a blockbuster encounter between two Premier League heavyweights. On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 9:00 PM CET, the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao will host the UEFA Europa League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. More than a trophy is at stake — the winner will also earn a direct spot in next season’s Champions League group stage and a place in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, where they’ll face the Champions League winners.
Both sides have battled through tough routes to reach this stage. Tottenham eliminated the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt, thrashing the latter 5-1 in the semifinals. Manchester United cruised past Athletic Bilbao with an emphatic 7-1 aggregate win (0-3 in the first leg and 1-4 in the return).
This final brings together two clubs with a rich Europa League legacy — even if under different names. Tottenham lifted the trophy twice, in 1972 and 1984, back when it was still the UEFA Cup. Manchester United, meanwhile, won the tournament more recently, in 2017. After underwhelming domestic campaigns, both teams now see this final as a golden opportunity: not only to secure silverware, but also to salvage their seasons and secure passage to Europe’s top competition.
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Ahead of kick-off, predicted line-ups suggest Tottenham will go with a 4-3-3:
Vicario in goal; a back four of Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, and Udogie; midfield trio Bissouma, Bentancur, and Sarr; and a front three of Johnson, Solanke, and Son.
Manchester United are expected to field a 3-4-2-1:
Onana in goal; a back three of Lindelöf, Maguire, and Yoro; midfield of Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, and Dorgu; with Diallo and Fernandes supporting striker Højlund.
San Mamés is set to host a men’s UEFA final for the first time, having already staged the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in 2024. An interesting trivia fact: the Europa League trophy weighs 15 kilograms, making it the heaviest of all UEFA trophies, excluding handles.
Everything is in place in Bilbao for a thrilling night of European football. Tottenham and Manchester United are just 90 minutes (or more) away from glory — and from unlocking their path back to the Champions League.
