Manchester United

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The previous head-to-heads between Manchester United and Tottenham no longer matter.

Maybe, Spurs can take some confidence in the previous results but they have not played them in a cup final before.

There is a trophy on the line this time so all of the previous history is neutralised and it becomes a one-off, showpiece, game.

Both teams in the Premier League have struggled to manage games but in Europe it has been slightly different. We will see two domestic sides meet in a European setting, but what we can expect from that, I am not actually too sure.

Neither side are in a position where you can see them controlling the game for long periods of time, so that may lead to some nervousness around making a mistake which could cost them the game.

I expect it to be quite a tight game and come down to who can have the big moments and take them.

We saw it at the weekend in the FA Cup final, Crystal Palace had that moment and Eberechi Eze took it, and then they made good blocks and had a penalty saved.

That is probably what this Europa League final is going to come down to.

You could talk yourself into backing either Tottenham or Manchester United but neither team have impressed enough for you to fully commit to knowing they will do well.

It will come down to those gritty moments and taking those chances when you get them.

This is not just an average game, it is a final and a defining moment in the season. It is not about style and formation. This is simply about winning.

You don't how someone played in the final but you do who lifted the trophy.

And given how this season has gone for both sides, it literally is make or break.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Tottenham Hotspur will be without James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski for the Europa League final against Manchester United.

Former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show why their absence will be so keenly felt and why United captain Bruno Fernandes holds the key to the midfield battle in Bilbao.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

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Captain Bruno Fernandes and defender Harry Maguire are the "most important" players in the Manchester United team, says former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Both players will be hoping they can help lead the side to Europa League glory on Wednesday night when they face Tottenham in Bilbao.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Schmeichel said: "You have got Harry Maguire and you have got Bruno Fernandes, and they are the two leaders of that team.

"Bruno is probably the one player who can take some personal pride from his performance this year. He has been trying his very, very best. It has been really difficult for him, his brain works on a different frequency than most other players and he has not had a lot of players who have been on that wavelength with him.

"He gets criticised for some of his body language and the way he reacts on the pitch, but for me it just shows you that he really, really cares. For a Manchester United fan and former player, that really means something. It is not just somebody sat there going through the motions, earning a wage and just being happy playing for Manchester United, he truly cares.

"He wants to win and I'm so happy he is there because he is someone you can start building the new Manchester United around. The same goes for Harry. He has earned a new contract. Only a year ago he was told by the coach he was number five in line, but he has always been for me the absolute best defender in that squad.

"He might not be the prettiest player on the planet, but he is clever, he defends, he does it in style. As a goalkeeper behind, you don't have to worry about him. He has always been a leader and those two players are the most important in that team."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United fans have officially taken over the streets of Bilbao before Wednesday's Europa League final against Tottenham at San Mames Stadium.

The sun is shining, the ers are gathering and the anticipation is building.

We know plenty of you have had to get a bit inventive with your travel to the Spanish city - whether that be a 33-hour ferry, a 13-hour coach ride, flying via Dublin, Paris and Rome, or driving the whole distance - but it looks like most of you have reached your final destination now.

So let's have a look at the current scenes in Bilbao...

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Have you spotted yourself in any of these pictures? If so, let us know.

If you have any pictures from sunny Bilbao or you would like to share any stories from your trip, send in your messages and pictures here.

Follow all the build-up and vote on who will win on our live page

One game stands between Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United salvaging a trophy and Champions League football from an otherwise disastrous season.

There is a lot on the line for both clubs and it will be a nervous watch for fans in the stadium in Bilbao and elsewhere.

With the countdown to kick-off underway, we asked our fan contributors from both clubs why their team will win the Europa League and what it will mean if they don't.

This is what our Tottenham er Anna Howells from Spurs XY, external had to say...

And this the view of Dale O'Donnell from United In Focus, external...

Manchester United are winless in their last six meetings with Tottenham Hotspur in all competitions (D2 L4). United have never gone seven without a win against Spurs before, and have also never lost four successive matches against them.

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Whether he wins the Europa League or not, Ruben Amorim will always have an "uphill battle" until wider issues at Manchester United are resolved, says former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, he said: "He [Amorim] has come into a really difficult place and situation.

"The club is not in a great place. There is so much unrest, so many people being laid-off, so much negativity around the club, and he is not in a position – other than winning games and winning trophies – to change that narrative around the club. That has got nothing to do with him.

"Unless he wins the Premier League, unless he gets into the Champions league winning this game against Tottenham, that would change a little bit, but that [changing the club] is completely beyond his control.

"It has been a mess for a very, very long time and until that is not a mess anymore, regardless of who is in charge of Manchester United's football team, they will always have a really, really uphill battle and tough job."

ESPN's Mark Ogden added: "He is really struggling, but he has got this amazing chance to save his season and save United's season by winning the Europa League, winning a trophy and getting back in the Champions League.

"It is almost like snakes and ladders – you can go down a snake and then climb a ladder and end up in the Champions League, so that is what is at stake. He has found it really tough and the jury is still out.

"The United fans think he's great because he is honest, he is talking about the problems that they have identified over a long period of time and this has been a free-hit this season because he inherited such a mess, but as soon as next season starts, when he has got his own players in, then football is football and he won't last long."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

The Devils' Advocate team have dropped a big episode for the significant event taking place on Wednesday.

As Manchester United ready themselves for the Europa League final, presenter Gaz Drinkwater said: "I know how big the game is. I have been trying myself not to think about it. I've been able to park it at the back of my mind. I am getting nervous now and honestly, I feel like I cannot predict how it is going to go.

"There is no score line that would surprise me in this. I said this before Bilbao away, it wouldn't surprise me if we win 3-0, if they win 3-0, if it's 0-0.

"As bad as we are, they are just as bad if not worse than us. I did a combined XI on the BBC Sport website and only put four Man Utd players in the team. So on the face of it, that would suggest Tottenham have a better 11 but they have injuries and key players out.

"Zirkzee being potentially fit I think is crucial. Having him on the bench, he is vital. If you bring him on in a game he links things up better. He helps Rasmus Hojlund. He can be that link from midfield to attack. I think that would be a massive boost for United. It wouldn't surprise me if Zirkzee did it. What a full-circle moment that would be if he won it after being booed off at Old Trafford."

• Pick your combined XI

Co-presenter Joe McGrath is in Bilbao and said: "The person for me who wins it if they are on their game is Bruno Fernandes. He takes the pressure as captain on his shoulders but we have seen him time and time again perform. I really believe that gives us the slight edge going in."

• Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United lead the race to sign 22-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, but defeat in the Europa League final and consequential inability to offer him European football next season would hand Chelsea the advantage. (ESPN), external

Manchester United are set to proceed with paying Wolves' 25-year-old Brazil forward Matheus Cunha's £62.5m release clause in instalments. (Fabrizio Romano), external

The Red Devils are also hoping they can tempt 26-year-old Sporting and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres to sign for them this summer. (L'Equipe - in French), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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The Manchester United camp is a relaxed place judging by Ruben Amorim's pre-match news conference.

There was the United boss laughing when Harry Maguire was asked about his dribbling skills, and the defender saying his manager has him practicing in training.

Then, when Amorim was in the process of being asked why he does not seem to be under the same kind of pressure at United as Ange Postecoglou is at Tottenham, skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped in.

"He is," said the United captain, bringing more laughs from Amorim.

It was all very jovial and all very light hearted.

United fans must hope the pressure remains off come kick-off on Wednesday.

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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire expects an "awful amount" of improvement under Ruben Amorim next season.

Speaking at a news conference in Bilbao on the eve of United's critical Europa League final against Tottenham, Maguire discussed his return to form and first-team football after setbacks and personal criticism under the club's former manager Erik ten Hag.

"It's amazing to be back in the team and playing regularly," said Maguire.

"This season I have played a lot of football. I don't take too much notice of the plaudits from the media and things like that. When you play for this club you can be an amazing player and the following week you can be the villain. That's part and parcel of playing for this club. I don't read too much into it. I try and stay as level as I can. Every game I go into it and try my best, and that's all you can do."

United - 16th in the Premier League - meet 17th placed Tottenham in the showpiece European final. The pre-match narrative has focused on each side standing on the precipice of a glorious end to a season with a win or the completion of a dismal campaign with defeat.

On United's inconsistent results, Maguire said: "Of course it is a frustration. When you play for this club you want to win every football match and this season we have been far too inconsistent.

"We haven't won enough, in the Premier League it's not been good enough. Europa League has been different, we have performed at a high level and we have proven that we can beat anybody.

"I am sure next season we will improve an awful amount, after a full pre-season [with manager Ruben Amorim]. As players we are all looking forward to that but we have got a big game tomorrow night, and that's first and foremost.

"It's a special night, a special occasion - we have prepared well the last few days and it's one that we are looking forward to."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Europa League final against Tottenham (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amorim confirmed that Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee are all in contention for the game: "They recovered quite well, they pushed. Of course we respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit because they want to be part of the team and that is a very good sign and it's very good for us. Of course they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game."

• The United boss said that, even if they win the Europa League, "nothing is going to change our season" but winning the title "can help us have the feeling that can help us to build a future".

• With the widely reported redundancies at the club this season, when asked if they were playing for more than just the trophy, Amorim responded: "I think it's not the case. We are doing things that we need to do, but, for example, I came from the club that in order to survive and to maintain the players you need to be in the Champions League. This is not the case. Our club can have revenues without Champions League."

• He added: "It's a big, massive club with fans around the world. It is a big brand. We just need to be focused and do things in the right way so I don't see it like that. I'm always playing for more than myself. I'm coaching for my players, staff and especially the fans."

• Amorim does not know if there will be an advantage having played players instead of resting them like Tottenham did. He said: "I felt that the best thing to prepare for the final was to give time to the players to play so I cannot respond from the side of Tottenham. For me, it was really clear - we need to compete, the best way to prepare something is to compete."

• On previous comments that winning would change the summer at Manchester United but not fix the problems: "It's hard to speak about it in this moment because we need to be excited and confident but we already know the problems. There are a lot of things we need to change in our club. That will not be solved by winning a cup."

• Amorim said it is "hard to explain" why he does not seem to be under the same pressure over his future as Ange Postecoglou: "I think people see what we are trying to do. I think people see that sometimes I am thinking more in the club than in myself. People understand, especially the board, that we have a lot of issues that, in the context, is really hard. I don't know how to explain. I will try to prove myself to the fans, board, but I don't have an explanation for you."

Catch up on all of Tuesday's Europa League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

We asked for your stories and images about how you are getting to Bilbao and if you've got a ticket for the match sorted.

Here are some of your replies:

Paul: Left Littlehampton at 09:50 yesterday - travelled to Luton Airport by train. Flight from Luton to Mallorca yesterday afternoon. Overnight stay in Mallorca. Today 06:15 flight from Mallorca to Madrid - currently on a five-hour coach journey from Madrid to Bilbao, where we are staying for two nights. Return bus from Bilbao to Zaragoza, then train to Barcelona and flight back to Gatwick on Thursday evening.

Fiazal: Started this journey back on 11 May. Flew out from Dubai for work - first stop was Norway, then Latvia. Managed to squeeze in a quick visit to see my parents in London before catching a flight to Madrid last night. Landed late, picked up a seven-seater I've hired for the next leg. No hotel for the night of the game - we'll grab a few hours' kip in the car and then make the drive back to Madrid. Saved a bit of money doing it this way – work, flights, sleeping rough – but most of what I've saved has gone straight on the ticket. Worth it, though – I'm in the United end, and just buzzing to be there.

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BBC Radio 5 Live spoke to one Manchester United er about the mammoth journey they're making to Bilbao to get to the Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday.

"We've had about half an hour of sleep. We left Manchester at 22:30 [Monday night] and met at the local pub and then left there at quarter to three in the morning [on Tuesday].

"We're now outside London heading to Dover, [from there] to Calais on the ferry, from Calais a nearly nine-hour coach ride to Bordeaux and we'll stay overnight, and then travel from Bordeaux to Bilbao in the morning for another four hours.

"Bordeaux do nice wine and it's a lot cheaper. It's cost about £350 to come on the coach whereas the flights were £900, so we've done OK It's just a long journey.

"But the coach is very quiet and it's quite nice. It's all United fans on the coach and I thought they'd all be drinking and singing, but it's been peaceful."