Manchester United

The Devils' Advocate team have dropped a big episode for the significant event taking place on Wednesday.

As Manchester United ready themselves for the Europa League final, presenter Gaz Drinkwater said: "I know how big the game is. I have been trying myself not to think about it. I've been able to park it at the back of my mind. I am getting nervous now and honestly, I feel like I cannot predict how it is going to go.

"There is no score line that would surprise me in this. I said this before Bilbao away, it wouldn't surprise me if we win 3-0, if they win 3-0, if it's 0-0.

"As bad as we are, they are just as bad if not worse than us. I did a combined XI on the BBC Sport website and only put four Man Utd players in the team. So on the face of it, that would suggest Tottenham have a better 11 but they have injuries and key players out.

"Zirkzee being potentially fit I think is crucial. Having him on the bench, he is vital. If you bring him on in a game he links things up better. He helps Rasmus Hojlund. He can be that link from midfield to attack. I think that would be a massive boost for United. It wouldn't surprise me if Zirkzee did it. What a full-circle moment that would be if he won it after being booed off at Old Trafford."

• Pick your combined XI

Co-presenter Joe McGrath is in Bilbao and said: "The person for me who wins it if they are on their game is Bruno Fernandes. He takes the pressure as captain on his shoulders but we have seen him time and time again perform. I really believe that gives us the slight edge going in."

• Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United lead the race to sign 22-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, but defeat in the Europa League final and consequential inability to offer him European football next season would hand Chelsea the advantage. (ESPN), external

Manchester United are set to proceed with paying Wolves' 25-year-old Brazil forward Matheus Cunha's £62.5m release clause in instalments. (Fabrizio Romano), external

The Red Devils are also hoping they can tempt 26-year-old Sporting and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres to sign for them this summer. (L'Equipe - in French), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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The Manchester United camp is a relaxed place judging by Ruben Amorim's pre-match news conference.

There was the United boss laughing when Harry Maguire was asked about his dribbling skills, and the defender saying his manager has him practicing in training.

Then, when Amorim was in the process of being asked why he does not seem to be under the same kind of pressure at United as Ange Postecoglou is at Tottenham, skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped in.

"He is," said the United captain, bringing more laughs from Amorim.

It was all very jovial and all very light hearted.

United fans must hope the pressure remains off come kick-off on Wednesday.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire expects an "awful amount" of improvement under Ruben Amorim next season.

Speaking at a news conference in Bilbao on the eve of United's critical Europa League final against Tottenham, Maguire discussed his return to form and first-team football after setbacks and personal criticism under the club's former manager Erik ten Hag.

"It's amazing to be back in the team and playing regularly," said Maguire.

"This season I have played a lot of football. I don't take too much notice of the plaudits from the media and things like that. When you play for this club you can be an amazing player and the following week you can be the villain. That's part and parcel of playing for this club. I don't read too much into it. I try and stay as level as I can. Every game I go into it and try my best, and that's all you can do."

United - 16th in the Premier League - meet 17th placed Tottenham in the showpiece European final. The pre-match narrative has focused on each side standing on the precipice of a glorious end to a season with a win or the completion of a dismal campaign with defeat.

On United's inconsistent results, Maguire said: "Of course it is a frustration. When you play for this club you want to win every football match and this season we have been far too inconsistent.

"We haven't won enough, in the Premier League it's not been good enough. Europa League has been different, we have performed at a high level and we have proven that we can beat anybody.

"I am sure next season we will improve an awful amount, after a full pre-season [with manager Ruben Amorim]. As players we are all looking forward to that but we have got a big game tomorrow night, and that's first and foremost.

"It's a special night, a special occasion - we have prepared well the last few days and it's one that we are looking forward to."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Europa League final against Tottenham (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amorim confirmed that Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee are all in contention for the game: "They recovered quite well, they pushed. Of course we respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit because they want to be part of the team and that is a very good sign and it's very good for us. Of course they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game."

• The United boss said that, even if they win the Europa League, "nothing is going to change our season" but winning the title "can help us have the feeling that can help us to build a future".

• With the widely reported redundancies at the club this season, when asked if they were playing for more than just the trophy, Amorim responded: "I think it's not the case. We are doing things that we need to do, but, for example, I came from the club that in order to survive and to maintain the players you need to be in the Champions League. This is not the case. Our club can have revenues without Champions League."

• He added: "It's a big, massive club with fans around the world. It is a big brand. We just need to be focused and do things in the right way so I don't see it like that. I'm always playing for more than myself. I'm coaching for my players, staff and especially the fans."

• Amorim does not know if there will be an advantage having played players instead of resting them like Tottenham did. He said: "I felt that the best thing to prepare for the final was to give time to the players to play so I cannot respond from the side of Tottenham. For me, it was really clear - we need to compete, the best way to prepare something is to compete."

• On previous comments that winning would change the summer at Manchester United but not fix the problems: "It's hard to speak about it in this moment because we need to be excited and confident but we already know the problems. There are a lot of things we need to change in our club. That will not be solved by winning a cup."

• Amorim said it is "hard to explain" why he does not seem to be under the same pressure over his future as Ange Postecoglou: "I think people see what we are trying to do. I think people see that sometimes I am thinking more in the club than in myself. People understand, especially the board, that we have a lot of issues that, in the context, is really hard. I don't know how to explain. I will try to prove myself to the fans, board, but I don't have an explanation for you."

Catch up on all of Tuesday's Europa League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

We asked for your stories and images about how you are getting to Bilbao and if you've got a ticket for the match sorted.

Here are some of your replies:

Paul: Left Littlehampton at 09:50 yesterday - travelled to Luton Airport by train. Flight from Luton to Mallorca yesterday afternoon. Overnight stay in Mallorca. Today 06:15 flight from Mallorca to Madrid - currently on a five-hour coach journey from Madrid to Bilbao, where we are staying for two nights. Return bus from Bilbao to Zaragoza, then train to Barcelona and flight back to Gatwick on Thursday evening.

Fiazal: Started this journey back on 11 May. Flew out from Dubai for work - first stop was Norway, then Latvia. Managed to squeeze in a quick visit to see my parents in London before catching a flight to Madrid last night. Landed late, picked up a seven-seater I've hired for the next leg. No hotel for the night of the game - we'll grab a few hours' kip in the car and then make the drive back to Madrid. Saved a bit of money doing it this way – work, flights, sleeping rough – but most of what I've saved has gone straight on the ticket. Worth it, though – I'm in the United end, and just buzzing to be there.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live spoke to one Manchester United supporter about the mammoth journey they're making to Bilbao to get to the Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday.

"We've had about half an hour of sleep. We left Manchester at 22:30 [Monday night] and met at the local pub and then left there at quarter to three in the morning [on Tuesday].

"We're now outside London heading to Dover, [from there] to Calais on the ferry, from Calais a nearly nine-hour coach ride to Bordeaux and we'll stay overnight, and then travel from Bordeaux to Bilbao in the morning for another four hours.

"Bordeaux do nice wine and it's a lot cheaper. It's cost about £350 to come on the coach whereas the flights were £900, so we've done OK It's just a long journey.

"But the coach is very quiet and it's quite nice. It's all United fans on the coach and I thought they'd all be drinking and singing, but it's been peaceful."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

I said to Harry Maguire when he came to speak to us last week that I felt sorry for him in the sense he seems to be to 'go-to guy' to speak on behalf of the Manchester United dressing room when the world is moving against them.

It is a reality Maguire has been one of United's better performers this season. It was Maguire who scored the injury-time winner in the quarter-final against Lyon. It was Maguire who produced the mazy dribble and cross that created the crucial opener for Casemiro in the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.

Maguire is the kind of dependable figure Ruben Amorim needs right now. Maybe be lacks the speed and agility of someone like Leny Yoro.

But as they try to navigate such choppy waters, Maguire is a rock Amorim must cling to.

He missed the Europa League final defeat by Villarreal in 2021 and also the FA Cup success against Manchester City last season, both through injury.

Maguire is fit for this one. Manchester United and Amorim should be thankful for that.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has shown his support for the club before the Europa League final against Tottenham.

The former left-back issued a rallying cry to the United players and urged them to show "resilience" and to fight for the jersey and the glory.

"Resilience and fighting - that's what I want from you guys," he said on social media. "Fight, bleed for this shirt, for the fans, for the staff, for the people in Manchester and all around the world. There's no excuse, this is your duty.

"It's going to be a tough game. Tottenham also have lot to lose, like us. They didn't win a trophy so this is a massive chance for them. But this is not an excuse. We are Manchester United.

"Do you know how many fans are going to travel around the world and believe they are going to celebrate after the game because they believe in you guys?

"So like I said - bleed for this shirt, the history, think about your family. There is no other way than to win. Don't be selfish. It's a qualification for the Champions League."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Maguire says the Manchester United dressing room can have no arguments against the club's post-season trip to Asia.

If it feels strange knowing the Europa League final with Tottenham will immediately be followed by the final Premier League game of the campaign against Champions League-chasing Aston Villa, yet United's players know they have even more work ahead of them.

As soon as the Villa game is over, they will be heading to Malaysia and then flying onto Hong Kong for two matches against local opposition next week that is likely to generate around £7.8m.

After a domestic campaign that will almost certainly result in the club's worst finish since their 1973-74 relegation season, and knowing Premier League prize money alone is worth £3m a place, Maguire accepts the United squad cannot complain.

"It is the club's decision and we don't have any right to argue against it after the performances we have put on," he said.

"As players, we have to take responsibility for the position in the Premier League and the money we have generated this season through that finish, which is nowhere near good enough.

"It shouldn't be like that. Two months ago, we should have been in a better position, fighting for a Europa League position or the Champions League positions.

"We don't have a right to stand here and criticise the club for trying to generate some money that will hopefully help us next season with signings."

BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Sutton has questioned the decisions of both Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim to field weakened sides in the build-up to their Europa League final.

Speaking on Monday Night Club, he said: "It's so difficult to call because both teams have made so many changes.

"You want to go into a cup final with momentum don't you? It's just that selection fear, Ange Postecoglou won't play Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, but are they going to be undercooked?

"I understand what both managers are thinking, but it really adds to the occasion.

"I can't remember a game which is so highly-pressurised for both sets of teams."

On Postecoglou, Sutton added: "Tottenham play Brighton in that last game. Just imagine the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium if Tottenham lose (the final). Postecoglou walking out, I suspect he might not be in charge if he loses the final as that will be as toxic as anything."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

The countdown to kick-off is getting closer and the nerves are rising. It is nearly time for the Europa League final.

Fans are making their way there way to Bilbao to see if Manchester United can get a first trophy under Ruben Amorim and secure Champions League football for next season.

But how are your travel plans going?

Are you already in the city or have you still got a few more miles via plane, train, boat or car to go?

Have you got your ticket for the match sorted or will you be watching on while soaking up the local atmosphere?

Send us your stories and pictures from how your trip to the Europa League final is going

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

On the eve of one of the most important matches in Manchester United's modern history, it is worth remembering what is at stake.

United meet Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, with both clubs battling to salvage a sliver of sweetness from a disastrous season.

The Red Devils are not just vying for a third piece of silverware in as many seasons. The rewards or consequences go far beyond that.

Ruben Amorim will know that victory in Bilbao will ease the pressure bowing down on him just six months into his reign after an atrocious start in domestic competition.

He will be a coach under scrutiny from week one next campaign. Not only would an early trophy add credit to the bank, but there is also a financial incentive that can fast-track his rebuild.

Champions League football is said to be worth at least £100m, which would significantly boost Amorim's transfer aspirations in a crucial summer.

The offer of such a stage would undoubtedly add some much-needed allure to a team that will finish this season at the depths of the Premier League.

Amorim needs to oversee drastic upgrades in his squad if he is to repeat his inspiring turnaround at Sporting in Manchester.

But it goes without saying that no European football would severely limit those changes and delay his progress. He may not get another summer.

And when does pride come into it? Tottenham are the opponents at the San Mames Stadium, a club without major silverware since 2008.

It would be the most damning nadir of United's post-Sir Alex Ferguson decline yet if they are beaten by Spurs in a European final.

Wednesday night's showpiece is a football match that could launch this club's trajectory one of two very different ways.

Almost a year since that shock FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, does this team have one more surprise performance in them?

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external