BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given, who includes Manchester City amongst his former clubs, told Monday Night Club that he was "excited" for the all-English final, despite his club loyalties: "I think it's going to be a great final. I said in the semi-final that it will be great because Manchester United and Tottenham have done great in the competition.

"Manchester United haven't lost in Europe this season, well until they realise they have got to the final, they are playing Premier League opposition, and they will just fall apart.

"One team is going to be hailed for getting the trophy. The other team is going to be hammered from pillar to post because of their Premier League campaign.

"Ange Postecoglou said he always wins a trophy in his second season, so if that happens then I'm sure he'll be smug walking off the pitch.

"It will also do Ruben Amorim the world of good as well because I think we've seen a little bit of what he can bring lately.

"But I actually am looking forward to it. Is that OK? Am I allowed to get excited for a final between two Premier League clubs?"

Ask Me Anything

BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team have been answering European football-related questions. Here’s one about all-English finals.

There have been five previous all-English European finals in the past. Tottenham v Manchester United is set to be the sixth.

The first was Wolves v Tottenham in the Uefa Cup final in 1972.

There wasn’t another one until 36 years later, when Manchester United faced Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final.

In 2019, there were two all-English finals – Chelsea v Arsenal in the Europa League and Tottenham v Liverpool in the Champions League.

And Manchester City and Chelsea faced each other in the 2021 Champions League final.

Image source, Getty Images

From the messages we are getting in and the pictures available to us, it looks like Tottenham supporters have mirrored their team and gone early.

There is very little evidence of a Manchester United presence in Bilbao and the surrounding areas, at the moment.

We know you are on your way, United fans, tell us how you are getting on...

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Found this pic of Ondarreta Beach in San Sebastian. It was taken last month, but you get the picture. There are worse places to be based...

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have injury issues of their own going into Wednesday evening's final but do have a number of players that could make a comeback just in the nick of time.

Manager Ruben Amorim has just one confirmed absentee for the match - defender Lisandro Martinez, who has been ruled out for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

Forward Joshua Zirkzee was also confirmed as out for the season by Amorim in April, however, he trained in full on Tuesday morning and could play a part.

The defensive quartet of Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans and Diogo Dalot have all been absent in recent weeks through injury, but all were given a chance to play in Bilbao.

Of the four, Yoro and Dalot were in full training on Tuesday morning.

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou has dealt with injuries all throughout the 2024-25 season and unfortunately for him, that theme continues going into Wednesday evening's Europa League final.

Five players are already definitely confirmed as out for the all-English affair - Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dane Scarlett and Timo Werner - all of whom remain on the sidelines until next season.

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall was also expected to be out with a foot injury, but there are rumblings that he could be involved.

When asked about his availability on Friday, Postecoglou said: "It is still the same sort of timeframe. He was never a long-term one, but he has literally just got out of the [protective]boot and taken his first tentative steps on the grass; he won’t be available [for Friday's defeat at Aston Villa]."

Pape Matar Sarr picked up a knock in the defeat to Villa last week but is expected to be fit to play.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Right, Max has explained there how Spurs are going to win the Europa League final.

Any Manchester United fans out there got anything to add to this?

While you ponder on what Ruben Amorim's masterplan could be, this seems a good time to bring you a bit of early team news.

Richard McElvanney
BBC Sport journalist in Bilbao

We're here in the centre of Bilbao and have just met these two Spurs fans, Levi Ripley and Shannon Miller.

They've travelled from Barnsley, it's taken 24 hours, Dover to Calais, then down to Bilbao in a Fiat 500. Cosy? Yes, and it’ll have to be because that’s where they’re sleeping as well.

They say what they’ve saved on the journey and hotel prices, they’ve just spent on a ticket and they’re confident it’ll be worth it.

Tottenham Hotspur

Image source, Getty Images

Round of 16:

• AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham
• Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Quarter-final:

• Tottenham 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
• Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham

Semi-final:

• Tottenham 3-1 Bodo/Glimt
• Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Yes Rhys, loving the positive mental attitude.

Tottenham have shown a similar steely determination in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

There have been doubters, and they have come through some tough moments, but Ange Postecoglou's side has never waivered...in this competition at least!

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Round of 16:

• Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
• Man United 4-1 Real Sociedad

Quarter-final:

• Lyon 2-2 Man Utd
• Man Utd 5-4 Lyon (AET)

Semi-final:

• Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
• Man Utd 4-1 Athletic Bilbao

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

This game feels like a tough one to call, doesn't it?

Both teams will have expected to be fighting for silverware at the start of the season, but on the back of a strong league campaign.

With one game of the Premier League season remaining, Manchester United are 16th in the table, one point and one place better off than opponents Spurs.

Yet both sides have parked their domestic form to battle their way to the Europa League final.

We will try to shed some light on how they did that - starting with their routes to Bilbao...

We are loving your travel plans and will continue to publish the best throughout the day.

But there is also a football match to assess.

For those of you who are staying put in the UK, or neutrals looking forward to what promises to be an epic tussle - for European silverware and a route into the Champions League - we want to know your early takes on how you believe the match will pan out.

How will the final be won or lost? Who can make a difference?

Again, send your messages, with your name attached, via:

• WhatsApp 03301231826
• Or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

Image source, Getty Images

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Swim the Channel, train, bus - the fans' triathlon.

That's an impressive starter Jack, and is going to be tough to beat.

We hope your friend gets there safely and raises loads for their chosen charity.

Can anyone out there trump that for protracted travel plans to the Europa League final?

So how many supporters are expected to travel to Bilboa for Wednesday's Europa League final?

Well the head of UK football policing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, told BBC Sport that it could be between 50,000 to 80,000.

“There are never any guarantees [it all goes smoothly] when you’ve got 50,000 to 80,000 people travelling, there’s high emotions, there will be quite a few people drinking, but I think everything that can be done to make sure it’s a safe, secure and enjoyable event is in place.

"We are working with a police force who want to set that style and tone. Uefa are really keen to make sure this goes very well. They are committed to making sure English fans have a good time."

Chief Constable Roberts added: "Any major event comes with significant risks, any final with that number of people attracts issues just because of the sheer numbers. I think there's a real willingness and desire on behalf of everyone, particularly Uefa and the hosts. English fans have had really negative experiences through no fault of their own in a couple of finals."

Image source, PA Media