Summary

  • Europa League build-up as Tottenham and Man Utd face season-defining final (20:00 BST, on BBC Radio 5 Live)

  • Both teams struggling near bottom of Premier League can rescue season and qualify for Champions League

  • '50,000-80,000 fans expected in Bilbao' - travel stories, best images, your predictions

  • Poll: Who will win the Europa League final? Have your say

  • Team news: Bergvall unavailable but Sarr fit for Spurs | Yoro, Dalot and Zirkzee fit for Man Utd

  • WATCH: Football News Show special and listen to BBC sounds Europa League final preview podcast via 'Watch & Listen' tab at top of page

  • Get Involved: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) - send in your photos

  1. Mid-afternoon recappublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Tottenham fans in fan parkImage source, Reuters

    Things are picking up pace in Bilbao, with Tottenham fans packing out the fan park and Manchester United supporters piling into the city's Plaza Nueva.

    Stick with us to stay across the big-match build-up as Spurs and United prepare to face each other in tonight's Europa League final at the San Mames Stadium.

    Here are some of the highlights from the past hour:

  2. Spurs missing key figures due to injurypublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Will injury woes hinder Tottenham's chances of winning the Europa League?

    Spurs go into tonight's game missing five key figures compared to Manchester United who only have two defenders ruled out by injury.

    Tottenham's missing players: Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner.

    Manchester United's missing players: Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.

    Media caption,

    The Football News Show: Will Spurs be hit hardest be midfield injuries in Europa League?

  3. Will Son start for Spurs?published at 13:58 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Sami Mokbel
    BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

    The big question for Ange Postecoglou tonight is whether he gives captain Son Heung-min a start despite his lack of fitness.

    The Korean has only just returned from injury but on the biggest night of the club's season you'd imagine Postecoglou would be tempted to select Son, who is one of his genuine match-winners.

    Without the creativity of James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski - Son's attacking spark could be crucial for Spurs tonight if selected.

    Additionally, having Richarlison to cause havoc off the bench could also influence Postecoglou's decision. It is dilemma that will be Postecoglou's biggest selection call ahead of tonight's clash, with Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson expected to play in attack.

    In Maddison and Bergvall's absence - Pape Matar Sarr is available after coming off against Aston Villa. Sarr will be hoping for the nod alongside Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park.

  4. Sweet treats for fanspublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 21 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Some local delicacies on offer for fans in Bilbao.

    Ashok, Spurs fan from London living in Switzerland

    Sweet treats in BilboaImage source, Ashok
    Sweet treats in BilboaImage source, Ashok
  5. Man Utd royalty in Bilbaopublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Wayne Rooney, Denis Irwin, Wes Brown and Andy Cole have turned up at the Manchester United fan zone in Bilbao.

    Irwin is a seven-time Premier League winner, the others have five league titles each.

    That's some serious talent. If only they were lining up in the San Mames tonight...

    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
  6. Manchester United and Tottenham fans arrive for Europa League finalpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    Manchester United and Tottenham fans arrive for Europa League final

  7. McIlroy in Bilbao for big matchpublished at 13:47 British Summer Time 21 May

    Stephen Watson
    BBC Sport Northern Ireland

    After his Masters win in April, all didn't go to plan for Rory McIlroy at the USPGA but he'll be hoping it's a better night for his beloved Manchester United.

    The six-time major golf winner is in Bilbao tonight for the Europa League final with caddy Harry Diamond.

    When asked after winning the Green Jacket at Augusta about making an appearance at Old Trafford, McIlroy responded laughing: "If I can inspire some better play, absolutely!"

    We wonder if he'll be wearing said famous jacket tonight?

    Rio Ferdinand on XImage source, Rio Ferdinand
  8. Fans mingle on the metropublished at 13:44 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    David Cheeseman
    BBC Sport Senior Journalist

    Spurs fans on the metro

    Travel around the city will get more difficult as the day goes on.

    Thankfully Bilbao has a metro system which is very clean and tidy. It's also a good way to get out of the midday heat for Spurs fans Nikki, Ian and Lee.

    Also down here are some Manchester United fans.

    Bernard, Pat, Jamie and the gang from Mansfield. They flew in yesterday via Rome and all have tickets for the game.

    Manchester United fans on the metro
  9. Postpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    This is the historical Plaza Nueva square in Bilbao.

    Each Sunday, the square provides space for a traditional flea market where ancient books, coins, stamps and flowers are sold.

    Today, it's been completely taken over by Manchester United fans.

    .Image source, PA Media
    .Image source, PA Media
    .Image source, PA Media
  10. 'If Tottenham lose, the manager is gone'published at 13:38 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Paul Robinson
    Former England goalkeeper on the Football News Show

    Win or lose this game and Ruben Amorim will still be in charge of Manchester United at the start of next season.

    If Tottenham lose this game, the manager is gone.

    They [Tottenham's board] will know whether Ange Postecoglou is going to stay around or not.

    Tottenham can't fall into the same trap as what Manchester United did with Erik ten Hag. Man Utd wasted six months of their season, allowing Erik ten Hag to spend great amounts of money.

    Daniel Levy will not want to fall into that trap.

    Media caption,

    The Football News Show: Why Europa League loss would be worse for Tottenham Hotspur

  11. How much is the Europa League final worth?published at 13:35 British Summer Time 21 May

    Ask Me Anything

    Ask Me Anything

    Son Heung-min with the ball against Manchester United with an Ask Me Anything border around itImage source, Getty Images

    BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything has been looking at the major questions before tonight's Europa League final...

    How much is the Europa League final worth?

    The winner of Wednesday's Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United could receive up to £54.4m.

    That figure is a combination of prize money for winning the competition and for reaching the league phase for the 2025-26 Champions League.

    Spurs or United would be guaranteed about £21m, with additional prize money awarded based on league position and for victories and draws.

    The figure of £54.4m does not include prize money earned beyond the Champions League's last 16.

    Read more on how lucrative tonight's final is here.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:31 British Summer Time 21 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    If Ange wins a trophy, where many big-name managers have failed, it is madness and treachery for the club to sack him.

    Gareth, London

    If Spurs win tonight, surely that’s Ange meeting his goals set by the club of securing Champions League football and silverware?

    Matt, London

  13. No final invite for Ten Hagpublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport chief football news reporter in Bilbao

    The respective sides will get 50 medals each for tomorrow’s game, to distribute as they see fit.

    The big question is whether Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Marcus Rashford get them given their involvement in the early part of the competition for Manchester United.

    United wouldn’t even be in the Europa League had Ten Hag not guided them to FA Cup final success against Manchester City last season.

    Ten Hag has not been invited to the game, unlike Louis van Gaal in similar circumstances in 2017, when United beat Ajax in Stockholm.

    Van Gaal turned up too, with his wife Truus, wearing club attire.

    Erik ten HagImage source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:26 British Summer Time 21 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I'm watching the game in the pub with close mates tonight. Three of us are United fans, and one is a Spurs fan who, under any other circumstance, I would be willing to win a trophy. I don't buy the "banter" of enjoying Spurs' underachievement. I want my friends to enjoy a win. But it is against us. It's horrible. But they must lose.

    Joe, Guildford

  15. 'No one can sit there saying my team is better'published at 13:23 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Rio Ferdinand
    Former Man Utd defender on Radio 4's Today programme

    I don’t think either set of supporters have any warranted confidence in their teams due to inconsistency in the Premier League this season. So no one can sit there saying my team is the better team and can win convincingly.

    Apprehension. Fear. Whatever you want to call it.

  16. 'It's about winning a trophy'published at 13:20 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Ian Dennis
    BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

    The UEFA Europa League trophy is displayedImage source, Getty Images

    I wouldn't necessarily use the words 'underwhelming final'.

    At the end of the day, it's about winning a trophy, it's about silverware.

    Tottenham fans are not bothered that it'll give them a route into European football - what they want is to win a trophy.

    I think there's an added pressure as Man Utd would not want to lose to another English side.

  17. Who are the worst European winners ever?published at 13:16 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Emlyn Begley
    BBC Sport

    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.

  18. Who are the worst European winners ever?published at 13:13 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Emlyn Begley
    BBC Sport

    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.

    Europa League winners and runner up table with league finishers
  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 21 May

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Has there ever been a European final between two worse placed teams?

    Chris, Manchester

    BBC Sport's Emlyn Begley can help with this Chris, his answer is coming up...

  20. Calm before the stormpublished at 13:08 British Summer Time 21 May

    Tottenham v Man Utd (20:00 BST)

    Sarah Dawkins
    BBC Sport in Bilbao

    Road near the stadium in Bilbao

    There’s a strict security ring currently in operation around the San Mames stadium, with traffic being diverted and only accredited media and local residents allowed in to the immediate perimeter. Without the fans, it all feels a bit eerily quiet around the stadium at the moment.

    Security in place near the stadium in Bilbao