Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Europa League, Football, Premier League, Ruben Amorim
Ben McCrum
Topics: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Europa League, Football, Premier League, Ruben Amorim
Manchester United have been granted a massive advantage in the final of the Europa League if they face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
On Thursday night, United took a huge step towards progressing to the Europa League final after claiming an emphatic 3-0 victory in the first leg of their semi-final with Athletic Club away from home.
Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspur also made major strides towards making it to the final after beating Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in the other semi-final first leg, all but confirming an all Premier League meeting in the final.
But, if it is to be an English Europa League final, then United will have a massive advantage over their rivals, and Spurs fans aren't happy about it.
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Both United and Spurs have had almost mirror seasons this term, with both sides struggling in the Premier League, sitting in 14th and 16th respectively.
However, United manager Ruben Amorim and Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu can redeem themselves if they can come away with the Europa League trophy this season.
As it stands, the Red Devils are the favourites to lift the trophy, and their odds will no doubt be boosted by the fact that, if they are to face Tottenham in the final, they will have an extra 42 hours to recover after their scheduled Premier League match beforehand.
Before the Europa League final gets underway at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday May 21, United will travel to London to play at Chelsea at 8pm on the Friday, while Aston Villa host Spurs at 2.15pm on the Sunday.
Reacting to the news, a Spurs fan wrote: "It was always going to me Man Utd getting the advantage wasn’t it? Why not both on the Saturday or both on the Sunday?"
While one added: "That's unreasonable that the Premier League should give favour to one side. If it doesn't change, Ange should put a team full of kids out."
And another wrote: "Why do other leagues seem to have better processes in place that support their teams competing in the latter stages of Europe? It is unfair."
A United fan even pointed out that their side also boasts the slight advantage of playing in the San Mames stadium three weeks prior to the final in their semi-final match with Athletic Club.
However, it is worth noting that with both teams completely safe from relegation in the Premier League and unable to challenge for a European spot, it is likely that they will heavily rotate their teams for the remainder of the season to focus on the Europa League.