MNU vs TOT: Kick-off Date, Time and Venue, Team News, Head-to-Head Record and Potential Starting XI
The 2025 UEFA Europa League final brings together two of England’s most storied clubs in what promises to be a dramatic and high-stakes affair: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides have endured fluctuating domestic seasons but have found form and purpose in Europe, setting the stage for an all-English showdown in the final.
While silverware is the ultimate prize, there’s much more riding on this match — including Champions League qualification, managerial legacies, and long-term project validation. Ahead of the clash, here’s a comprehensive look at everything you need to know: kick-off details, venue, team news, head-to-head stats, and the potential starting lineups.
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Kick-off Date, Time, and Venue
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 21:00 CET
Venue: San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao, Spain
UEFA has selected the San Mamés Stadium — home of Athletic Bilbao — as the venue for this year’s Europa League final. With a capacity of around 53,000 and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s one of Spain’s most modern football arenas. Interestingly, it’s the first time Bilbao has hosted a UEFA club final, adding a historic backdrop to this high-stakes encounter.
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Team News: Manchester United
Manager: Rúben Amorim (pending confirmation)
Manchester United’s route to the final has been impressive, dispatching Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals and overcoming challenges from Sevilla and AC Milan in earlier rounds. However, injuries and tactical reshuffles have left some uncertainty in Amorim’s selection.
Injuries & Suspensions:
Lisandro Martínez: Expected to return to the starting XI after recovering from a long-term foot injury.
Luke Shaw: Touch-and-go due to recurring hamstring issues; a late fitness test will decide his role.
Harry Maguire: Fit and in contention after recovering from a knock suffered in the semi-final second leg.
Jadon Sancho: Remains out of the squad amid transfer speculation and off-field issues.
Form Players:
Bruno Fernandes: Leading United’s creative charts with 6 assists in the Europa League.
Rasmus Højlund: United’s top scorer in Europe this season with 7 goals.
Kobbie Mainoo: The breakout midfield talent has cemented his place in the starting XI with mature performances.
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Team News: Tottenham Hotspur
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Spurs’ run to the final has been built on fast, attacking football — a hallmark of Postecoglou’s approach. With key players hitting form at the right time, the North London club will believe this is their moment to finally win a major European title.
Injuries & Suspensions:
Cristian Romero: Ruled out with a groin injury; a significant blow to Spurs’ defensive line.
Manor Solomon: Out due to a knee issue that’s sidelined him for most of the campaign.
Rodrigo Bentancur: Fit again and available for selection.
Form Players:
Heung-Min Son: As captain, Son has led from the front, notching 5 goals in Europe.
James Maddison: The creative hub of Spurs’ midfield, he’s been involved in 10 goals across all competitions since April.
Micky van de Ven: His pace and defensive instincts have been vital in Tottenham’s counter-pressing style.
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Head-to-Head Record: MNU vs TOT
Manchester United and Tottenham have faced each other 198 times in all competitions, with United having the edge historically.
Wins (Man United): 95
Wins (Tottenham): 54
Draws: 49
In European competitions, this will be their first-ever meeting. In domestic play, recent encounters have been tight, with Tottenham winning their last Premier League meeting 2-1 at Old Trafford, while United edged a 3-2 victory earlier in the season in North London.
Notably, this is Tottenham’s first major European final since the 2019 Champions League, while United have more experience, having won the Europa League in 2017 and reaching the final again in 2021.
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Tactics and Key Battles
Manchester United
Under Amorim, United have shifted toward a 3-4-2-1 formation with:
Wing-backs pushing high to provide width.
Mainoo and Casemiro anchoring the midfield.
Fernandes and Garnacho creating space and chances behind Højlund.
Key battle: Fernandes vs Bentancur — The outcome of midfield control could dictate who dominates possession.
Tottenham Hotspur
Postecoglou’s Spurs prefer a 4-2-3-1, building through Maddison and stretching play through Kulusevski and Son.
Key battle: Son vs Wan-Bissaka — United’s right wing-back will be tasked with stopping Son’s diagonal runs, which are Spurs’ most potent threat.
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Potential Starting XIs
Manchester United XI (3-4-2-1):
GK: André Onana
CBs: Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez
RWB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
LWB: Luke Shaw (or Tyrell Malacia if unfit)
CMs: Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro
CAMs: Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho
ST: Rasmus Højlund
Bench Options: Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelöf, Amad Diallo
Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Guglielmo Vicario
RB: Pedro Porro
CBs: Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier
LB: Destiny Udogie
CDMs: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur
AM: James Maddison
RW: Dejan Kulusevski
LW: Heung-Min Son
ST: Richarlison
Bench Options: Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil, Emerson Royal, Yves Bissouma
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Prediction and Final Thoughts
This final has all the ingredients of a classic: two attacking teams with young cores, managers with bold ideas, and a rich narrative on both sides. United seek redemption and resurgence under new leadership, while Spurs chase long-awaited European glory.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham (AET)
Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
Whichever way it goes, this final is about more than a trophy — it’s about legacy,
direction, and belief. For the winners, it could mark the start of a new era; for the losers, tough questions will follow.
All eyes now turn to Bilbao. Let the battle begin.
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