Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have agreed on what they believe will happen when Manchester United face Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Manchester United are heading to Bilbao for a Europa League final that could define their season — and perhaps their immediate future — as Rúben Amorim’s men prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur on 21 May.
It will be United’s fourth final in just three seasons, following Carabao Cup glory in 2023 and FA Cup triumph in 2024 under Erik ten Hag. But those highs were tempered by the sting of losing the 2023 FA Cup final to Manchester City.
This year has been nothing short of chaotic. With the club languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, plagued by dismal performances and embarrassing defeats, their European journey has felt like an escape — a final thread of hope.
Now, everything is on the line. Victory in Bilbao would not only salvage a broken season and bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford, but it could also cement Amorim’s authority as the man to lead United into a new era.
Scholes predicts what will happen in the Europa League final
With the fixture now less than a week away, much of the focus surrounding United has turned toward predicting what will happen in the tie, although, considering how poor both sides have been across the season, it is anyone’s guess.
However, former United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that, although Tottenham should win the trophy having beaten United three times already this season, Amorim’s men will find a way to win the game within a 10 or 15-minute spell.
“I have no logical reason why United should win it, other than recent experience and history,” Scholes explained on The Overlap.
“Look at Real Madrid in the last five years. They’ve not been a great team at times, but that history just takes them to it.
“Realistically, they should win it, they’ve beaten us the last three games. I think you’ll probably be the best team on the night, play really well, but we’ll win. We seem to find 10 or 15 minute spells where we win games. I think that’s what’ll happen.”
Neville agrees with Scholes’ Europa League final prediction
Speaking later on the same show, Scholes’ former teammate Gary Neville agreed with the ex-midfielder, explaining that he feels the mentality of United and their fans will get the club over the line next Wednesday.
“It’s not about history really, it’s about a club mentality because history sounds like it’s sort of nostalgic, it’s not,” Neville said.
“It’s a mentality of a fanbase and club that think we’re going there and not coming out of this city until we’ve won. We know that can change, that could look stupid next Wednesday.
“You [Tottenham] should with talent on the pitch, you’ve got better forwards, better centre halves, you’ve got better midfield players, other than Bruno, you should win that game.
“You’ve beaten us the last three times because you’re a better team than us. The big surprise you should look at most is what Newcastle did against Liverpool because that was a big shock. I was amazed about how Newcastle did they beat Liverpool really well on the day.”
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