Paul Scholes has backed Manchester United to beat Tottenham in the Europa League final – but history says Spurs could surprise him.
Despite enduring a horrid Premier League campaign, Tottenham Hotspur have managed to secure a place in the Europa League final. It is the Lilywhites’ sixth European final in history and their fourth in the Europa League.
Indeed, Tottenham have won this competition twice in their history and should they beat Manchester United on the 21st of May, it would be their first Europa League trophy in the modern era.
With a Europa League final against Manchester United on the horizon, Paul Scholes has now given his verdict on the outcome of the tie.
Paul Scholes tips Manchester United to beat Tottenham in Europa League final
An all-English final is nothing new, with English sides clashing six times previously at the decisive stage in European competitions.
Tottenham have been involved in two of those encounters – against Liverpool in Madrid in 2019 and against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the UEFA Cup back in 1972.
While Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final, they edged past Wolves in the 1972 UEFA Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate win in what was then a two-legged affair.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has now had his say on the sixth all-English final, offering his prediction for the clash between Tottenham and Manchester United.
Speaking on TNT Sports (08/05/25 from 22:00), the former midfielder believes Manchester United will come out on top due to their history and pedigree in Europe, even likening their European pedigree to Real Madrid’s.
He said: “History tells me United have a great chance. We know Tottenham have beaten them three times and Tottenham will think they have a right chance.
“For some reason, the history of this club is almost like Real Madrid at times. When they are not playing that well, they can still go on and win European cups. I just feel the odds are slightly in Manchester United’s favour. Although I do think Tottenham are a good side.”
Tottenham can still rewrite the narrative against Manchester United
There is no denying that Manchester United have a higher European pedigree than Tottenham. However, history can be rewritten, and in football, it is not always about the past – it is about the present.
This season alone, several long-standing records have been broken. Newcastle United ended a 70-year wait for silverware by beating a Liverpool side with a deep-rooted history of winning trophies.
Harry Kane also put an end to his long wait for a title, lifting the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. Tottenham have every reason to believe they can beat Manchester United in two weeks’ time – because we dare to do.