Europa League Final Set for History – But Not for the Right Reasons

Manchester United and Tottenham Battle for Glory Amid Worst-Ever Form

Football fans are bracing for an unprecedented Europa League final as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur prepare to face off in Bilbao on Wednesday—in what may be the worst-form European final in the history of the competition.

Both clubs are enduring dreadful domestic seasons, making this final not only a shot at redemption but a peculiar footnote in European football history.

A Final Between 16th and 17th – A New Low for European Competition

Never before has a major European final featured two clubs performing so poorly in their domestic leagues. Manchester United currently sit 16th in the Premier League, with Tottenham one spot below in 17th. Between them, they’ve racked up a staggering 39 league defeats.

If either side lifts the trophy, they will become the lowest league finishers ever to win a European competition, and by default, the lowest-ranked team to qualify for the Champions League in history.

Only Wins Against Relegated Sides – Or Each Other

The league form paints a dire picture. Neither club has won a domestic league game since 2 February, except in matches played against already relegated teams—or against each other. Their combined points tally, in some previous Premier League seasons, would have seen both teams relegated.

This dramatic decline from grace makes the stakes of Wednesday’s final all the more surreal: a chance to rescue a disastrous season with a Champions League lifeline.

“Highly Pressurised” – Football on the Edge

Former Celtic and Premier League striker Chris Sutton summed up the tension on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club:

“I can’t remember such a game which was so highly pressurised for both teams.”

Indeed, this is a final where everything is on the line—not just silverware, but pride, future finances, and perhaps the managerial fates of both clubs.

From Crisis to Champions? One Will Celebrate, One Will Collapse

Despite the chaos, one team will walk away with the Europa League trophy—and with it, automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, along with a substantial financial boost.

For the other, the loss could represent the final nail in a forgettable campaign, plunging their fanbase and leadership into yet another summer of soul-searching.

Conclusion: A Match That Defines Failure and Hope

This Europa League final is unlike any other—not because of dazzling football or historic rivalries, but because it represents a rare intersection of crisis and opportunity. While neither Manchester United nor Tottenham has covered themselves in glory this season, Wednesday night offers a dramatic, if unexpected, shot at redemption.

The only certainty? One of Europe’s most out-of-form sides will be celebrating continental success—and heading to the Champions League.

Europa League Final: Spurs vs Man Utd in Historic Low.