Fans spot shock player travelling to Spurs vs Man Utd Europa League final
Nasir Jabbar
2 – 3 minutes
Fans have spotted a shock player travelling to the Europa League final that pits Tottenham against Manchester United.
The all-English Europa League final is just two days away as Bilbao welcomes Spurs and Man United.
Both sides have endured a miserable Premier League campaign as they look to salvage their season with a European trophy.
Spurs and Man United were both in action last Friday as they suffered defeats to Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively.
Ange Postecoglou’s side lost 2-0 at Villa Park as the North London outfit were dealt a major injury blow ahead of facing their Premier League counterparts in Wednesday’s showpiece fixture.
Postecoglou is already without several key players, including Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall.
James Maddison is also out, having suffered a knee injury in his side’s semi-final first-leg win over Bodo/Glimt.
James Maddison in action for Tottenham before his injury. Image: Getty
James Maddison in action for Tottenham before his injury. Image: Getty
But Maddison has travelled with the squad to Spain for Spurs’ Europa League final.
He was seen boarding a coach and posted on social media as the Spurs squad flew out.
His appearance got fans online talking as they questioned whether he could play a part against Man United.
One X user wrote: “Maddison traveled with the squad?”
A second said: “James Maddison has travelled with the squad to Bilbao. Presumably just there to support the boys. Right…?”
A third claimed: “To support the boys of course.”
Maddison has likely travelled to Bilbao to provide support, with Postecoglou ruling him out of the season following his injury.
Speaking earlier this month, the Spurs boss said: “Madders tweaked his knee in the first leg. He’s out, he’ll miss the rest of the season.
“It’s disappointing for him more than anything else, because he has been a big catalyst for us.
“He misses out, but that’s been a constant of our season dealing with these things. We’ll [just need to] overcome that.”
Maddison has made 45 appearances this season, including 11 Europa League outings.
Man Utd stripped of Europa League final advantage over Spurs as official statement released
Ryan Smart
3 – 4 minutes
Man Utd stripped of Europa League final advantage over Spurs as official statement releasedMan Utd stripped of Europa League final advantage over Spurs as official statement released
Published 15:01 9 May 2025 GMT+1
United and Spurs will face off in the Europa League final.
Manchester United have been officially stripped of an advantage over Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the Europa League final between the two sides.
United defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday to win their semi-final by a 7-1 aggregate scoreline.
Spurs, meanwhile, completed a 5-1 aggregate win over Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt with a 2-0 away victory.
The two teams will face off in an all-English Europa League final for only the third time in the competition’s history, and the first since 2018.
It carries even more significant importance than in other years, with both teams knowing that their only way of playing in Europe at all next season is to win the Europa League and therefore qualify for the Champions League.
Ahead of the final, the Premier League have been forced into a key change to the schedule which had previously benefitted Manchester United.
United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday, May 16, with Spurs originally set to travel to take on Aston Villa on Sunday, May 18.
That would have given Ange Postecoglou’s side two days fewer rest than their Europa League final opponents, with that clash due to take place in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21.
The Premier League have already confirmed that Spurs’ game has been moved back to the Friday, with a 7:30pm kick-off, with that date now made official due to their progression to the Europa League final.
United’s clash at Chelsea, meanwhile, has been moved to a later kick-off time of 8:15pm on the same date.
A statement reads: “The Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur has been given a new date of Friday, May 16, kicking off at 19:30 BST.
“This following a request from Spurs in view of their potential participation in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, May 21.
“Additionally, the match between Chelsea and Manchester United, also taking place on Friday, May 16, will now kick off at 20:15 BST.”
According to the Daily Mail, Villa chiefs were left ‘furious’ that their match was moved forwards, as they remain in contention for Champions League qualification for next season.
The Champions League quarter-finalists will now have six days between the Spurs clash and their upcoming fixture against Bournemouth on May 10, instead of eight days.
Villa director Damian Vidagany said: “Honestly, not happy.
“Hopefully in the future all of them would [remember] the clear prejudice in this case to Villa fans and will be consistent and equally supportive, if we need changes to help us in Europe (if hopefully we are there).
“We didn’t feel this support last season or this one. European football is not only demanding for English clubs just on the verge of the finals.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Premier League, Europa League
