Manchester United and Tottenham reach Europa League final

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have booked their spots in the 2025 Europa League final after both clubs delivered professional second-leg performances on Thursday night. With United overcoming Athletic Bilbao and Spurs easing past Bodø/Glimt, an all-English showdown is now set for May 21 at San Mamés in Bilbao.

United survive early scare to crush Bilbao’s dreams

Manchester United came into the second leg at Old Trafford with a comfortable 3-0 advantage from their first-leg victory in Spain. But nothing has been easy this season for the Red Devils, who sit a disappointing 15th in the Premier League. Athletic Bilbao arrived in Manchester full of hope, backed by thousands of travelling supporters. That hope soared when Mikel Jauregizar scored a stunning long-range strike in the 31st minute, cutting the aggregate to 3-1 and sparking tension among the Old Trafford faithful.

But United found their composure in the second half. Substitute Mason Mount calmed the nerves with a beautiful finish in the 72nd minute, before Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund extended the lead further against an increasingly frustrated Bilbao side. Mount capped off the night with a spectacular long-distance strike to seal a 4-1 win on the night, 7-1 on aggregate. With key defender Matthijs de Ligt missing through injury, United will hope to have him back for the final as they aim to salvage a disappointing domestic season with European silverware.

Spurs march into final with businesslike win in Norway

Tottenham Hotspur, who last reached a European final in 2019, ensured they will return to the big stage by seeing off Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. Holding a 3-1 first-leg advantage, Ange Postecoglou’s men put in a controlled performance in Norway to secure a 0-2 victory. Despite Bodø/Glimt dominating possession for much of the match, they rarely troubled Tottenham’s solid backline, marshalled by Dutch defender Micky van de Ven. After the break, Spurs struck decisively: Dominic Solanke reacted quickly to a corner to open the scoring, and Pedro Porro’s intended cross drifted inside the far post to seal the tie. With Spurs languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, the chance to lift their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup is a golden opportunity to transform a lackluster season.

A chance to save their seasons

Both clubs now face off in an all-English Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21. For Manchester United, lifting the trophy would mean automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League a much-needed boost after domestic struggles. For Tottenham, it’s a chance to finally return to the European winners’ circle after years of near misses. The stage is set for a dramatic showdown between two historic English sides, both desperate to rescue pride and claim European glory.