Manchester United are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on May 21, but there have been concerns over whether the hosting stadium will be big enough.
Despite concerns over the size of the San Mames stadium, UEFA maintain that the Europa League final will not be moved from Bilbao.
The Spanish city secured the rights to host this year’s spectacle back in 2021, with Manchester United and Spurs set to battle it out for the European trophy in less than a fortnight.
United’s last European silverware was won in the competition under Jose Mourinho in 2017, whereas Spurs have to go all the way back to 1984 for their last European victory.
Ruben Amorim‘s team have a great record in Bilbao this season, beating Athletic Club 3-0 when they played them there in the first leg of their eventual 7-1 semi-final demolition of the club.
UEFA confirm Europa League final destination
With an all-Premier League final scheduled, and tens of thousands of English fans expected to flood the city, questions have been raised about whether Bilbao can accommodate the final.
As the Independent reported, UEFA has dismissed these concerns, saying there is ‘no chance’ of the game being relocated to an English venue.
The San Mames holds just over 53,000 people, with each club’s fanbase set to receive approximately 15,000 tickets.
There will also be an additional 11,000 tickets available for general sale, with the rest reserved for hospitality and sponsors.
It comes as no surprise that UEFA have kept the final where it is, an all-English final has never previously been moved from it’s intended host city.
United’s next season could hinge on this game
If Ruben Amorim does manage to win, gaining entry to the recently-elusive Champions League for United, then United’s transfer pull will be substantially stronger.
As per what co-owner Jim Ratcliffe recently said, Champions League qualification is worth around £80-£100 million to the club, showing the disparity between the first and second tiers of European competition.
For example, Manchester City, who by all means had a poor European run this season, earned around £64 million for their efforts in reaching the play-offs before being beaten by Real Madrid.
Manchester United however, are only expected to earn around a measly £21 million in comparison – and that’s if they win the whole thing.
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