Road to Bilbao: How Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur booked their spot in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League final
By Ben Southby
Published 20/05/2025 at 12:07 GMT+1
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Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have one chance to salvage underwhelming campaigns when they meet in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday. A European trophy and a place in next season's UEFA Champions League are on the line for under-pressure managers Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou, which could just save their jobs. But how did the teams get there?
Road to Bilbao: Relive Manchester United’s dramatic route to 2025 Europa League final
Video credit: TNT Sports
An all-English European final is on the horizon as Manchester United prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao.
It has been a disappointing domestic season for both teams, with Man Utd languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table and Spurs a point below them (38) in 17th.
However, both sides have the chance to save their season and seal a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season as well as grabbing some silverware.
Tottenham are looking to end a 17-year trophy-less spell, while United can pinch a second Europa League title, with their last coming in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
Here is how both The Red Devils and Ange Postecoglou's Spurs navigated their way to the final in Bilbao, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Man Utd (P14, W9, D5, L0)
League phase: 3rd
It was not until their fourth league-phase match that United picked up three points, having drawn against FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce in their opening fixtures.
They finally won at Old Trafford against PAOK, which sparked a run of five wins against FK Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen, Rangers and FCSB as Ruben Amorim's outfit propelled themselves to third and an immediate route to the last 16.
Last 16: Man Utd 5-2 Real Sociedad
There, they came up against Real Sociedad and after a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in Spain, United returned to Old Trafford for what was one of their biggest games of the season.
It was a poor start for The Red Devils, who fell behind to Mikel Oyarzabal's early penalty, but two replies from the spot from Bruno Fernandes and the sending off of Jon Aramburu on the hour mark put the tie firmly in United's hands.
Fernandes added a third to wrap up his hat-trick three minutes from time, before Diogo Dalot added gloss to the scoreline with a late fourth.
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Highlights: Hat-trick hero Fernandes sends Man Utd into quarters with big win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Quarter-final: Man Utd 7-6 Lyon AET
They might have had a disappointing campaign in many aspects, but one thing that is for sure about United this season is that they know how to score goals in Europe. A 2-2 draw against Lyon in France meant once again they had a job to do at Old Trafford, and no one could have predicted the electric night Manchester rustled up in what was arguably the game of the tournament.
Manuel Ugarte and Dalot had the hosts in cruise control and heading for the semi-final, until goals from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico forced extra-time after another 2-2 draw.
It then looked as though Man Utd had thrown it all away when Rayan Cherki put the French side ahead, before ex-Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette gave the visitors a 4-2 lead from the spot with 10 minutes to play.
But astonishingly, Fernandes stepped up from the spot again to give Amorim's side hope, before Kobbie Mainoo struck the equaliser in the last minute of extra-time.
With the rest of Europe watching on and penalties looming, Harry Maguire was the unlikely hero as he nodded home just a minute later to send Old Trafford into pandemonium.
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Highlights: Maguire the hero as Man Utd beat Lyon in all-time classic
Video credit: TNT Sports
Semi-final: Man Utd 7-1 Athletic Club
In what was expected to be a really difficult tie against the club whose stadium would host the final, United made light work of their Spanish opponents to book a return to Bilbao.
An easy 3-0 victory in the away leg, helped by Daniel Vivian's red card in the 35th minute and another Fernandes brace, meant United had one foot in the final as they headed back to England for the return leg.
There were a few nerves in the air when Mikel Jaureguizar gave the visitors the lead, but a double from Mason Mount and goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund made sure of United's place in the final.
| Goals scored | 35 |
| Goals conceded | 18 |
| Average possession | 56.5% |
| Clean sheets | 3 |
| Yellow cards | 30 |
| Red cards | 1 |
All stats courtesy of UEFA
Tottenham (P14, W9, D3, L2)
League phase: 4th
Postecoglou's side managed three wins in their opening three games, with victories over Qarabag, Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar, before they hit a stumbling block against a Victor Osimhen-inspired Galatasaray.
It took them a while to get going again following draws with AS Roma and Rangers, but an important away victory against TSG Hoffenheim had them on course for a top-eight finish.
They concluded their league phase with a 3-0 win over Elfsborg as they prepared to reunite with AZ in the last 16.
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Road to Bilbao: How Tottenham booked their spot in 2025 Europa League final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Last 16: Tottenham 3-2 AZ Alkmaar
A Lucas Bergvall own goal in the first leg had Tottenham chasing the tie as they headed to north London for the reverse fixture.
Wilson Odobert settled nerves when he struck on 26 minutes, before James Maddison gave Spurs the advantage just after half-time.
A Peer Koopmeiners strike dragged the Dutch side level once more, but Odobert grabbed his second towards the closing stages to take Spurs into the last eight.
Quarter-final: Tottenham 2-1 Frankfurt
Where Spurs go, drama usually follows this season, but their quarter-final tie against 2022 winners Frankfurt was a professional performance in every department.
After falling behind early on in the first leg in London, Pedro Porro's equaliser set up a fascinating tie in Germany, and one where Spurs would really have to show their worth if they were to progress.
And that they did, as Dominic Solanke's penalty on the stroke of half-time wrapped up a vital 1-0 win on the road.
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Semi-final: Tottenham 5-1 FK Bodo/Glimt
With just Bodo/Glimt and their 8,000-seater stadium in the Arctic Circle between them and a European final, it certainly threw up a different kind of test for Postecoglou and his players.
But Spurs passed with flying colours, all but sealing their place in the final with a 3-1 home win over the Norwegians, sparked by Brennan Johnson's opener in the first minute.
They travelled to Bodo just needing not to lose by two goals, and after a sluggish start, turned on the heat in the cold conditions as Solanke and Porro fired Tottenham into the final.
| Goals scored | 27 |
| Goals conceded | 13 |
| Average possession | 52.36% |
| Clean sheets | 5 |
| Yellow cards | 20 |
| Red cards | 2 |
All stats courtesy of UEFA
How to watch Europa League final on TNT Sports
The Europa League final kicks off at 8pm UK time on Wednesday, May 21.
Coverage starts from 6pm on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+, live from the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
There will be expert analysis from a TNT team including Gareth Bale, Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle and Paul Scholes.
The Europa League final will be live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+.
The match will also be available to watch at home or on the move for free on discovery+.
The best ways to watch….
- Have TNT Sports via discovery+ Premium, EE, Sky or Virgin Media TV, with the best viewing experience you will be able to enjoy all of the action and build up programming on TNT Sports 1 or TNT Sports Ultimate.
- Have access to discovery+ basic account with EE TV, Sky, Prime Video, you can login or, if you haven’t already, activate your discovery+ account to enjoy all three finals for no extra cost. Prime Video customers with a discovery+ Basic subscription will also be able to watch all three finals on the Prime Video ap.
- Are new to TNT Sports and discovery+. Viewers without discovery+ simply need to download the app on their mobile device, web or access via their TV, register their details online, kick back and enjoy the game for free. No subscription required. You can find out how to access the app and register here.
- Have Virgin Media TV, all customers in the UK can watch on channel 527.
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