Man United's Europa League secret weapon can save Old Trafford career vs Tottenham

Manchester United's 2024/25 season will be defined by what happens in Bilbao on Wednesday evening when they take on Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

United's season will not be rescued by winning the second-tier European trophy but when we look back on this season in ten year's time, the result of this final will be remembered, not the torment of the Premier League. A spot in the next edition of the Champions League will be a huge achievement for Ruben Amorim considering the struggles he has had to navigate in just a short space of time.

The main issue has been the squad he has inherited. This team was underperforming in the system it was built for - it was only going to get worse with an unfamiliar new tactic.

Despite that, this squad has managed to rally on numerous occasions in the Europa League and it now stands on the edge of glory. Throughout this European campaign, it is fair to suggest that United have benefited from the element of surprise.

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad were not ready for the onslaught they received at the hands of United while the Lyon outcome remains a mystery to all those who witnessed it. Against Spurs, that surprise factor is mostly eradicated.

This will be the fourth meeting between these two clubs this campaign and Tottenham have had United's number in all of the three previous fixtures. But while Spurs may feel they know what to expect from the Reds, Amorim is able to call on a secret weapon that nobody expected to be available to him - Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dutchman has had a tumultuous season for United and at times it seemed like the club was a step too far for him. However, he has dug deep since the turn of the year and suddenly became a player