Topics: Manchester United, Man Utd, Tottenham Hotspur, Europa League, Premier League
Authorities in Bilbao are preparing for a huge number of ticketless football supporters to visit from England to enjoy next Wednesday's Europa League final.
Manchester United fans are expected to be outnumbered by their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts, with meetings between the clubs revealing that around 15,000 Spurs fans without tickets will make the trip.
United are only expecting 2,000 fans without tickets to travel to Bilbao. The teams will also be backed inside the stadium by a ticketed allocation of 15,000 each.
But while Spurs shirts are anticipated to be in the Basque Country in greater numbers next week than Man Utd ones, the vast areas of hospitality seating at San Mames will be disproportionately populated by fans of Ruben Amorim's Red Devils when the Europa League final itself gets underway.
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The Daily Mail's Mike Keegan reports that visiting fans of both the ticketed and ticketless varieties can look forward to a warmer welcome in Bilbao than other cities in Spain.
"Officers from Greater Manchester Police, Met Police and the UK Football Policing Unit will be in Bilbao for the fixture and have been working with the local force, the Ertzaintza, with whom they enjoy a strong relationship," writes Keegan.
"The Ertzaintza has a reputation for a more light-handed approach than forces in many other Spanish cities and their trip to London has been seen as a measure of their willingness to co-operate.
"Two separate fan zones will be set up, and no issues with locals are expected. Those who live in Bilbao are passionate about football and are known for their warm hospitality."
United boast a colossal global fanbase but European finals have been more of a rarity for Spurs and fans are planning to take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in a beautiful city six years after their Champions League final meeting with Liverpool.
"Before 2019, their last appearance at a European final came in 1984. Meetings were held between both clubs on Friday and Saturday to plan for the match at the 53,000-capacity San Mames stadium," continues Keegan.
"It is believed that around 15,000 Spurs fans without tickets will travel to the Basque country, compared to around 2,000 followers of United in a similar position."
