Will Ange Postecoglou or Ruben Amorim be winning their first European trophy on Wednesday? Never in the history of European competition has a final been played between two teams so out of form. The winners of Wednesday's Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham in Bilbao could be the lowest league finishers ever to win a major European trophy. And they will certainly become the lowest team to ever qualify for the European Cup or Champions League. United sit in 16th place in the Premier League, with Spurs 17th - and a combined 39 league defeats. The only league games either have won since 2 February have been against sides who were relegated - or each other. Their points tally could have had them relegated in some previous seasons. "I can't remember such a game which was so highly pressurised for both teams," said former Celtic striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. And yet one of them will celebrate glory - and a return to the riches of the Champions League next season. This video can not be played Win or lose, will Postecoglou still manage Spurs next season? BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel and chief football news reporter Simon Stone, who will both be at San Mames for the final, have had their say on whose season has been worse. Mokbel on Spurs:"Underperformed, underachieved, unacceptable. Domestically, at least. "While Tottenham will cling on to hope of somehow turning a catastrophic season into a historic one, there can be no running away from the fact that results and performances have been largely disastrous. "Twenty-one defeats in the Premier League and counting. Of course, all that will be forgotten if Spurs lift the Europa League trophy on Wednesday night. "Whether that is enough to keep Ange Postecoglou in a job, however, is the million-dollar question with all the indications pointing towards the Australian departing regardless of the outcome in Bilbao. "The fact Postecoglou's tenure in north London looks set to end imminently illustrates just how pitiful their domestic campaign has been. "In their defence, injuries have debilitated Tottenham's season. They have lost key players for long periods of time. "But this is an expensively-assembled Tottenham squad - one that includes the club-record £65m signing of Dominic Solanke. "United are in a season of transition, having changed managers midway through the season. "It's different for Tottenham. Following Postecoglou's encouraging first season in charge, in which Spurs finished fifth, this was a team set up to compete for Champions League qualification. "Instead, they could finish one place above the relegation zone. That's undeniably poor." Stone on United:"Manchester United have been worse because much of the damage has been self-inflicted. "United were the ones who reflected on Erik ten Hag's tenure, both in the wake of their 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last May, then after the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, and decided to stick with him. "United gave him money to spend, specifically on Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee in the summer, then sacked him after nine games. "And United told Ruben Amorim he had to start immediately, not wait until the summer to join from Sporting. "Now, the safety net is Bilbao and then that United hit the ground running at the start of next season, which would justify the refusal to wait for Amorim. "But, in the here and now, United have been woeful. "There have been periods in games when they have looked fluid and their passing triangles have worked. "However, Rasmus Hojlund has not looked a threat at one end of the field and basic mistakes have undermined them at the other. "With six minutes left of extra time in their Europa League quarter-final against 10-man Lyon, it was not easy to strike a single optimistic note on United's behalf. Somehow, they rescued themselves. "Since then, United have got one point from five Premier League games. No-one has done worse than that. "By any measure, this is United's worst season since the 1973-74 relegation campaign. And they announced financial losses of £113.2m last September. "To spend so much and be so bad really takes some doing." Only two teams have won a European trophy after finishing below 12th in their domestic league. That includes the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup, Uefa Cup, European Cup, Champions League, Europa League and newish Conference League. The lowest-ranked team yet was West Ham just two seasons ago when they finished 14th in the Premier League but won the third-tier Conference League. The highest Manchester United or Spurs can finish is 14th - with several results having to go their way. The other lowest finishes have all come in various iterations of the Europa League. Inter Milan finished 13th out of 18 teams in Serie A in 1993-94, only staying up by one point (in the old system of two points for a win), but won the Uefa Cup. And a team finishing 12th have won it three times - Arsenal in the 1969-70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Schalke in the 1996-97 Uefa Cup and Sevilla in the 2022-23 Europa League. That Sevilla team are the lowest-placed to have ever qualified for the European Cup or Champions League - until now. Former Chelsea player Sutton said: "There's not going to be a great deal of quality on show. "Both sets of players will be apprehensive and nervous." On Amorim and Postecoglou making changes in recent Premier League games, he added: "I don't understand why they are gripped by fear. Both managers want to go into the cup final with momentum. "That really adds to the occasion and the pressure." This will be the sixth all-English final in European competition - with all of those involving either Tottenham or Chelsea. England is the first country to have so many in Uefa competition (excluding the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup). Tottenham beat Wolves for the 1972 Uefa Cup final and Manchester United defeated Chelsea to win the 2008 Champions League. In 2019, both finals were all-English - with Liverpool beating Tottenham in the Champions League and Chelsea seeing off Arsenal in the Europa League. Chelsea beat Manchester City to win the Champions League in 2021. Both managers are looking for their first trophy in charge of an English club - but they have won silverware abroad. Postecoglou, 59, has the bigger trophy haul, although he has been managing a lot longer than his 40-year-old opposite number. Excludes Super Cups, finals to decide the Australian league champions - plus those with Australia youth teams Both sides will be desperate to win this match, but their incentives are quite distinct. For Tottenham, this would be a first trophy since the 2008 Carabao Cup and their first European trophy since 1984. It would vindicatePostecoglou's early-season declarationthat he always wins a trophy in his second season. And somehow their worst domestic season since the 1970s could turn out to be their best in years. "I'm sure if that happens on Wednesday night Ange will be smug walking off the pitch and say 'see you later, I've told you what I do mate'," said former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given. Sutton reckons if Spurs lose, Postecoglou may not even be in charge for the final game of the Premier League season at home to Brighton on Sunday. "If Postecoglou wins he'll be hailed," said the former Blackburn forward. "But just imagine the atmosphere against Brighton if Tottenham lose. "I suspect he might not be in charge if that happens because that will be as toxic as anything." For Manchester United - who have won domestic cups in the past two seasons - Champions League qualification is the ultimate goal here. "Financially, it's the most important match in the club's history," says football finance expert Kieran Maguire. Sutton feels the game is a potential "get-out-of-jail-free card" for Amorim. The Portuguese, who is hoping to oversee a summer rebuild, said: "I think [qualifying for the] Champions League is more important for everything, to prepare the next season. "We are supposed to be in the Champions League and the Europa League here is not enough, you have that feeling here. The best way to help us get to the top in a few years is the Champions League." Opta's supercomputer says the game will be extremely close - giving Spurs a 50.3% chance of winning. Not only have Tottenham won all three meetings so far this season, but they have led for 90% of game time. United have yet to go ahead in any game. Since Ange Postecoglou took over as Spurs boss, only Brentford have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League. Three of the past four Europa League finals have gone to penalties. In the Premier League, Spurs' shot conversion rate of 12.8% is the sixth highest in the division. United are second bottom with 8.4%. Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (34) and Radamel Falcao (30) have scored more goals in the Europa League than United captain Bruno Fernandes (27), while he is top for assists (19) and total goal involvements (46). United keeper Andre Onana has been responsible for five errors leading to goals in all competitions this season. Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario has only been responsible for one in his two seasons.
Spurs and Man Utd meet in worst-form European final
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur Face Off in Europa League Final Amid Poor Domestic Form"
Bbc News
6.6
TruthLens AI Summary
The upcoming Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur marks a historic low point for both clubs, as neither team has performed well in their domestic league this season. With Manchester United languishing in 16th place and Tottenham just behind in 17th, the match in Bilbao presents a unique scenario where the winner could record the lowest league finish ever for a team claiming a major European trophy. Both teams have struggled significantly, with a combined total of 39 league defeats, and their only victories since February have come against relegated sides or each other. Chris Sutton, a former Celtic striker, expressed the pressure both teams face, highlighting the stakes of the match as they vie for a return to the Champions League next season. The tension surrounding the final is palpable, as the outcome could drastically affect the futures of both managers, Ange Postecoglou for Spurs and Ruben Amorim for United, with speculation about their job security looming regardless of the result.
The season's poor performances have raised questions about the managerial strategies and the overall quality of both squads. Tottenham's struggles have been attributed to injuries and underachievement, as they attempt to salvage a dismal season with a trophy that would be their first since 2008. Conversely, Manchester United's troubles stem from a tumultuous managerial transition and self-inflicted setbacks, leading to one of their worst seasons since the 1970s. Financially, this match is crucial for United, as Champions League qualification is paramount for their future ambitions. With both teams desperate for a turnaround, the final is not just about winning a trophy but also about restoring pride and momentum. The match is expected to be closely contested, with Tottenham slightly favored due to their recent performances against United this season. However, the stakes are high, and both teams will be looking to overcome their recent form to claim European glory.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a unique narrative around the upcoming Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. It highlights the unusual circumstances surrounding both clubs, focusing on their poor form in the domestic league. This sets the stage for a dramatic showdown, where one of the historically underperforming teams may secure a significant European trophy.
Context of the Match
The final is portrayed as a clash of teams in crisis, with both Manchester United and Tottenham sitting precariously in the Premier League standings. This context amplifies the pressure on both managers, Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim, as they seek their first European trophy. The mention of their league positions serves to underline the severity of their current situations, suggesting that the victor might be the lowest-ranked team to ever win a major European competition.
Public Sentiment and Media Framing
The article aims to evoke a sense of urgency and intrigue among fans and analysts. By emphasizing the pressure both teams face, it generates a narrative that could rally support for either side. The commentary from former players and analysts adds depth, indicating that the outcome may have long-lasting implications for the managers and clubs involved. This framing not only highlights the stakes of the match but also engages readers in a broader discussion about the future of both clubs.
Potential Omissions and Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the impending match, it may gloss over deeper issues within both clubs, such as management decisions, player performances, and long-term strategies. By concentrating on the immediate narrative of the final, the article could potentially distract readers from ongoing problems that might require scrutiny. This selective emphasis suggests a motive to create a sensational story that garners attention rather than providing a comprehensive analysis of the clubs' situations.
Manipulative Elements
The language used throughout the article invokes emotional responses, particularly through phrases like "catastrophic season" and "highly pressurized." This choice of words may lead to a sensationalist portrayal of the match, encouraging readers to perceive the final as a "last chance" for redemption for both teams. The emphasis on historical context, such as the potential for the lowest league finishers to win a European trophy, adds to the drama, but may also skew perceptions of the teams' actual performances.
Comparative Analysis with Other Coverage
In relation to other sports articles, this piece stands out for its focus on narrative and emotional engagement rather than cold statistics or historical records. It taps into the broader football culture, where narratives of triumph and despair resonate deeply with fans. Such storytelling is common in sports journalism, but the specific circumstances of this match create a unique angle that could attract wider attention.
Impact on Society and Economy
The outcome of this match could influence not only the clubs' immediate financial situations due to Champions League qualification but also fan engagement and the overall image of the Premier League. Success or failure could shape the clubs' trajectories and affect ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorships moving forward.
Target Audience
The article appears to target dedicated football fans, particularly those invested in the fortunes of Manchester United and Tottenham. The emotional weight of the narrative is likely to resonate with supporters who are anxious about their clubs' futures.
Market Implications
Investors and stakeholders in both clubs might closely monitor the outcome of the final, as it could impact stock prices and financial health. Success in securing European competition can lead to increased revenue, making this match significant beyond just sporting achievement.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the article is primarily focused on a sporting event, it does touch upon themes of competition and performance, which can reflect broader societal trends. However, it lacks direct ties to current global power dynamics or significant political issues.
Use of AI in Writing
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was used in crafting this article. If AI had been involved, it might have influenced the tone, ensuring it aligns with the emotional and dramatic elements typical of sports journalism. The structure and flow suggest a human touch, likely prioritizing narrative over analytical depth.
In conclusion, this article effectively captures the drama and stakes of the Europa League final while potentially omitting deeper issues at both clubs. The manipulative language and framing serve to heighten reader engagement, though they may obscure a more nuanced understanding of the teams' challenges. Overall, the reliability of the article is moderate; while it presents factual information, the narrative style and selective focus raise questions about the completeness of the analysis.