Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to clash in the UEFA Europa League final tonight, as both teams aim to salvage their underwhelming seasons.

The match, taking place in Bilbao, Spain, offers a lucrative incentive for the winner: automatic qualification for the prestigious UEFA Champions League for the upcoming season.

Both clubs head into the final under significant scrutiny due to their performances in the Premier League, where they have been struggling with poor results.

As of now, Manchester United sits in sixteenth place, just above the relegation zone, while Tottenham follows closely in seventeenth position, with both teams facing the possibility of relegation should they continue to falter.

Their current standings are kept somewhat secure only by the struggles of bottom-placed teams such as Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton, who have been unable to mount a challenge to escape the relegation zone.

The implications of the final extend beyond mere bragging rights, as the immediate financial benefits of entering the Champions League are significant for both clubs, which are historically among the most successful in English football.

This final represents a critical juncture for both Manchester United and Tottenham, shaping their prospects for next season amidst the challenges faced in the domestic league.