Man United set for unwanted four-decade first in Europa League final v Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are set to do battle in the Europa League final, with both sides in dire form.
For Spurs, a win would mean a first trophy since 2008 when they lifted the League Cup after defeating Chelsea.
The carrot of Champions League football dangles for the winner of this unpredictable contest.
As both sides prepare for the clash, United are primed to make history by breaking an unwelcome forty-year record.
Tottenham seek fourth win of season against Man United
Ange Postecoglou will achieve one of the greatest mic drop moments in football history if he lifts the Europa League trophy.
Earlier in the season, the Australian was mocked for saying that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a club.
That bold statement looked odds-on to drift away after what has been an embarrassing season for the North London club.
Tottenham sit 17th in the Premier League, but Postecoglou is still in charge and is preparing for a historic final.
| Position | Club | Played | Points |
| 16th | Man United | 37 | 39 |
| 17th | Tottenham | 37 | 38 |
| 18th | Leicester City | 37 | 25 |
| 19th | Ipswich Town | 37 | 22 |
| 20th | Southampton | 37 | 12 |
Spurs have won all three of their meetings with the Red Devils in all competitions this season, triumphing twice in the Premier League and once in the League Cup.
The only team the Lilywhites have ever defeated four times in a single season was Manchester City in 1992/93, according to OptaJoe.
By comparison, the only team to beat United four times in a single season was Everton in 1985/86 – some four decades ago.
Europa League final impossible to predict
Usually, when a cup final is too close to call, it is because the two sides enter the match in fine form.
However, this final is so tough to predict because of the glaring lack of quality the pair have shown across the season.
A defining factor in the result could be injuries, as Tottenham are missing several key players for the contest.
James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski are three of Postecoglou’s players who will all be absent through injury.
The latter, in particular, has been a rare star player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and his creativity will be missed.
However, Amorim’s side have been so awful that Spurs will go into the tie on an even keel.
In what will be an intriguing contest in Spain, the winner will be the team that wants it more on the night.