Following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United slipped into a period of prolonged decline. A club whose name was once synonymous with the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League managed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition just seven times across the subsequent twelve seasons. In those rare appearances, the Red Devils were eliminated twice in the quarter-finals, twice in the round of 16, and suffered three humiliating group-stage exits. Gradually, the team transformed from a feared European power into a regular fixture in the Europa League – culminating in Erik ten Hag’s side finishing bottom of Group A in the 2023–24 Champions League, failing even to secure the consolation of a Europa League transfer.

Naturally, domestic fortunes fared no better. Manchester United have not lifted the Premier League trophy since the 2012–13 season, finishing behind their ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City in twelve consecutive campaigns. For supporters accustomed to dominance, matchdays had increasingly become exercises in resignation and heartbreak.

Yet on 17 April, the atmosphere at Old Trafford shifted dramatically. For those gathered inside the Theatre of Dreams, it felt as though time had rolled back to the glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon produced one of the most astonishing encounters in modern European history. United took a 2–0 lead into half-time courtesy of goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. However, Lyon mounted a fierce second-half comeback, equalising through Corentin Tolisso and Nicolás Tagliafico. Just as the tie hung in the balance, Tolisso received a second yellow card in the 89th minute and was sent off. Despite being reduced to ten men, Lyon stunned Old Trafford by scoring twice in extra time to take a 4–2 lead on the night.

What followed was pure sporting theatre. Refusing to yield, the Red Devils struck three times in eight dramatic minutes to pull off an extraordinary 5–4 victory (7–6 on aggregate). Supporters left the stadium elated, sensing a genuine turning point in a turbulent campaign.

In the semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao, United carried that momentum forward, playing fluent, expansive football reminiscent of their finest eras to secure a comfortable 7–1 aggregate triumph.

Tonight at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, in the UEFA Europa League 2024-25 final, Ruben Amorim’s side will face Tottenham, a familiar opponent. Manchester United have reached this final twice before: lifting the trophy in 2016–17 under José Mourinho against Ajax in Solna, and suffering heartbreak in 2020–21 under Ole Gunnar Solskjær after a marathon penalty shootout against Villarreal. Tottenham, meanwhile, boast two victories in this competition from its previous guise as the UEFA Cup, winning in 1971–72 and 1983–84.

Both finalists enter the occasion burdened by dismal domestic campaigns, with United sitting 16th on 39 points and Tottenham 17th on 38 points with one Premier League fixture remaining. With European qualification through league standings well out of reach, tonight’s final represents their sole pathway into next season’s Champions League. Whether Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim can emulate his compatriot Mourinho by securing European silverware, or whether Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham will prevail, the stage is set for a monumental showdown.