Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Thursday to clinch the UEFA Europa League title. This win ended Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a major trophy under the guidance of manager Ange Postecoglou.
The decisive goal came from Brennan Johnson, who has been a standout performer throughout the season under Postecoglou. Johnson capitalized on a move initiated on the left by Rodrigo Bentancur, whose clever movement drew two United defenders before releasing the ball to Pape Sarr. Sarr’s cross into the box caused confusion in the United defense, and Johnson bundled the ball past goalkeeper Andre Onana. The goal might have deflected off Luke Shaw, but it gave Spurs the crucial lead in the final.
Tottenham maintained their narrow advantage into halftime and looked confident after the break. Manchester United pushed hard for an equalizer, coming closest when Rasmus Hojlund’s header was cleared off the line by Mickey Van De Ven. United also saw Heung Min-Son, who came on as a substitute for Richarlison, deny a late Shaw header, while Casemiro’s last-ditch bicycle kick went wide in stoppage time.
Spurs captain Heung Min-Son lifted the trophy in front of thousands of travelling fans, fulfilling Postecoglou’s promise of delivering silverware in his second season. Despite Tottenham’s struggles in the Premier League, where they sit 17th with just 38 points, this victory guarantees them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Champions League miss costs United more than just pride
Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final carries severe financial consequences that could impact the club for years. The final was a zero-sum clash: Spurs’ victory secured a Champions League spot and entry into the UEFA Super Cup, while United are left with no European football next season.
United lost despite, as football finance expert Kieran Maguire noted, “having higher revenue than Tottenham and spending 64% more on wages for a more expensively acquired squad of players.” Spurs had already defeated United twice in the Premier League and once in the League Cup this season.
“If I was teaching this at management school (I) would conclude that there is something seriously wrong with the culture of the organization … which is set by senior management,” Maguire wrote on X.
The immediate financial blow includes missing out on at least €80 million ($90 million) in Champions League revenue, with potential earnings reaching €150 million ($169 million) if United had progressed deep. They also forgo €4 million ($4.5 million) for the Super Cup, plus a €1 million ($1.1 million) winner’s bonus.
By failing to qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup — as European teams qualify only through the Champions League, either by winning the title or consistently performing over four seasons — United also fall behind in earning a spot for the 2029 edition, which requires sustained Champions League participation.
(With input from agencies)
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