Image source, Getty Images

Since the Europa League was rebranded in 2009-10, no team finishing lower than 12th in their respective division has competed in the final or won it.

Sevilla (12th) won the tournament in 2023, while Fulham (12th) lost the final in 2010.

Manchester United last won the Europa League in 2018 under Jose Mourinho and qualified for Champions League, despite finishing sixth in the Premier League in the 2017-18 campaign.

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Good question, George.

Answer coming your way...

Image source, Getty Images

The Europa League final later this month will mark just the second time in history that Manchester United have faced Tottenham in the final of a major tournament.

16 years ago, in 2009, the two met at Wembley in the EFL Cup final.

After a goalless 120 minutes, the tie went to penalties, with Sir Alex Ferguson's United getting the better of Harry Redknapp's Spurs in the spot kicks.

The only other time the two have met in a final was the 1967 FA Charity Shield. Again, the two couldn't be separated in normal time. A 3-3 draw after 90 minutes meant the two shared the shield, holding it for six months each.

They have faced each other once before in Europe, in the second round of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963-64. Spurs won the competition the previous season and won 2-0 at home in the first leg, but United won 4-1 in the away leg to go through 4-3 on aggregate.

If you are just joining us, here is what you might've missed:

• We have had lots of reaction to Man United and Tottenham securing their places in the Europa League final after United beat Athletic Bilbao and Spurs, Bodo/Glimt.
• Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's reaction was 'the team should be doing better, but we're trying'
• Meanwhile Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou says the all English final 'will upset a lot of people'
• Our chief Football reporter Simon Stone on how both Man United and Tottenham have earned their shot at the Champions League
• We've had lots of fan reaction to who you think will win in the final

Stick with us as there's plenty more to come this morning including:

• More reaction to last night's semi-finals and how the Europa Final will play out
• How much will a ticket for the Europa Final cost?
• Mohamed Salah & Alessia Russo win Football Writers' Association Play of the Year (more on that later)
• This afternoon we will have all team news and pressers, before our FPL live

SahilOberoi1 on X: The three defeats to Spurs this season doesn't really matter. It takes something special to win a final, United have been to three in the last two seasons and won twice. Spurs haven't been to a final for six years and haven't won a trophy for 17.

Phil Jones
Former Manchester United defender on Football Daily

Manchester United didn’t make it easy for themselves, going a goal down. The Athletic supporters can be really proud of their team, they had a right good go for the first 60 minutes. They lacked a little bit of quality in the final third, but they caused Manchester United problems.

Man United got the job done. The timing of the substitutions was really key and a savvy move from Ruben Amorim. Just as Athletic were running out of energy and effort, he switched it up at 65 minutes. Amad Diallo caused all sorts of problems down the right-hand side and Mason Mount was very tidy with his feet.

Those substitutions changed the game in the flash of a pan.

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Morning Robert.

I think we could set up a whole new live page on that topic!

People seem to feel very strongly on it one way or the other. You might spark your own mini get involved with that though - always interested to hear views on it.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesper Blomqvist on substitute Mason Mount scoring a second-half brace after months of injury setbacks: "If he can get a few more games in his legs before the final, he could actually be a real advantage there.

"You could see the smile on Ruben Amorim's face when he scored that second goal as well. He was really happy for him and relieved to score the fourth goal."

Phil Jones
Former Manchester United defender on Football Daily

It is always difficult when you are out with injury. All you want to do is to play football. He [Mason Mount] works extremely hard and he wants to prove to people at this club that he is a wonderful player.

When you allow him to play wherever and don’t commit him to a certain position on the pitch, you get the best out of him. We know he has the technical ability but the energy he brings and his pressing ability is terrific.

You have to keep him fit now and he has to look after himself, that is absolutely vital.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesper Blomqvist on Ruben Amorim's side already failing to beat Tottenham three times this season: "If you look at Tottenham's team and you watch them play, I think they are maybe even worse than Manchester United. They can play at a really high level, but then they can also be pretty bad as well.

"I do think Tottenham's highest level has been higher than Manchester United's this season. So if they can put out a really good game, I think it will be really tough for Manchester United.

"It's going to be a tough and very nervous game, again."

Manchester United

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter on the Football News Show

Manchester United do perform better in Europe. In the Premier League, both teams have massively lacked consistency but both have been able to do it in Europe. If you look at the tournament, United knocked out two Spanish sides out and one French side out.

It is a 'get out of jail free' card for both teams. It allows them to say it was a terrible season but we escaped, we have a place in the Champions League and it gives us some money.

I think the trophy is big for Ruben Amorim because it will offer a little bit of belief in his methods. The financial side of being in the Champions League will also open doors for Manchester United.

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Cheers, Ben's crying.

Gary Neville
Former Manchester United defender on The Overlap podcast

I agree a little bit with Arsene Wenger [that Europa League winners shouldn't earn direct passage to the Champions League] purely because every game we are watching at the moment we are just talking about the money at stake.

Nobody is talking about winning the Europa League to win a trophy. The Uefa Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup used to be big trophies that clubs could win and you used to think 'wow, what an achievement.'

Everything now is about a £60m game or a £100m game, the FA Cup has become devalued, really great competitions are becoming devalued.