Paul Scholes has shared his prediction for the upcoming Europa League final after Manchester United and Tottenham booked their spots in the showdown.
United cruised past Athletic Bilbao with an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory, securing their place in the final set for May 21, while Tottenham dominated Bodo/Glimt, winning 5-1 over two legs.
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Beyond lifting the prestigious trophy, the Europa League winner will earn automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League. ..Continue Reading
Currently, Manchester United and Tottenham sit in 15th and 16th place in the Premier League, far from the Champions League spots, trailing by over 20 points.
With the final offering a lifeline to Europe’s elite competition, Scholes believes United are the team most likely to triumph and secure their place in next season’s Champions League.
‘I’m not saying United will definitely win it but history tells me they’ve got a great chance,’ Scholes said on TNT Sports.
‘We know Spurs have beat them three times this season and they’re a really good team. I like Tottenham.
‘If they watch that first 70 minutes [of United’s second leg against Bilbao] Spurs will think they’ve got a good chance.
‘But I just think about the history of this club. It’s almost like Real Madrid at times, they can not play well and still win cups.
‘I just feels the odds are slightly in United’s favour. But I do think Spurs are a good side on their day.
‘I just think the history and the experience of the club will get them over the line. I really like Ange and think he’s got a good team but I just favour Manchester United.’
Scholes’ former Man United teammate Owen Hargreaves added: ‘It’s going to be fascinating. There is so much at stake for everyone.
‘But if United in a down season can win a trophy and get into Champions League, it tells you what the club is all about.
‘Right now, momentum is with Manchester United with the energy around the club at the moment.’
United took a huge step to reaching the Europa League final by destroying 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg in Spain.
Mikel Jauregizar gave the Spaniards hope of a comeback with a first-half opener at Old Trafford but the Red Devils rallied and won 4-1 thanks to Mason Mount’s brace and goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund.
Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim said: ‘It’s the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season.
‘I know I should be a better manager and the team should be better at this moment but we’re trying and we are in a European final.’
Tottenham beat Bodo-Glimt 3-1 in the home leg and produced a good performance in Norway to advance to the final.
Chasing two goals to force extra-time, Bodo-Glimt’s hopes evaporated when Spurs scored twice in six second-half minutes through Solanke and Pedro Porro.
‘I couldn’t be prouder of the lads,’ under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said. ‘We knew it was a difficult place to come.
‘We’re aware of the record they have here, the pitch. I think the lads handled it well. Excited, we’re in a final.’
