Europa League final's VIP list revealed as Ballon d'Or winner joins Edwin van der Sar and Ledley King at San Mames stadium - while EIGHT Glazers join Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Daniel Levy
The Glazers have turned out in force to watch Manchester United 's crucial Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday night, with eight family members on the stadium's VIP list in Bilbao.
The American family shares ownership of Manchester United with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who will also watch the seismic clash in the exclusive VIP section of San Mames stadium.
According to Athletic Bilbao's website, VIP guests are able to enter the stadium an hour and a half before kick-off to soak up the pre-match atmosphere and enjoy a range of luxuries including food prepared by Michelin star chefs.
The VIP list, which was acquired by Mail Sport hours before the match, has at least 23 names — ranging from United and Tottenham legends to football executives.
In terms of the Glazer family, Avram and Joel are joined by relatives Aerin, Shari, Ed, Jill, Kendall and Libby.
Ratcliffe and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will also watch the match from the premium section.
Meanwhile, ex-Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and his old team-mate Dimitar Berbatov, who is working as a pundit for TNT Sport during the final, are on the list.
Berbatov may have a conflict of interest in terms of the outcome, given he represented both Manchester United and Tottenham during his playing career.
Spurs legends Ledley King and Gary Mabbutt are also part of the list, while former Premier League managers Rafa Benitez and Steve Cooper are there too.
The FA's president Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham join Premier League CEO Richard Masters and PFA CEO Maheta Molango on the VIP guest list, alongside Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor and former Irish goalkeeper Packie Bonner, who made almost 500 appearances for Celtic during his playing days.
Portugal legend Luis Figo, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2000, is also in attendance.
The showpiece in Bilbao is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the season and with good reason, given how much the victor promises to gain.
Both Manchester United and Tottenham have endured catastrophic campaigns in the Premier League, lying 16th and 17th respectively ahead of the final weekend, and only a victory in the Europa League final will guarantee Champions League football for next season.
Champions League qualification aside, the final presents an opportunity for Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou to finish the season with a major honour, with Tottenham having not lifted a trophy since the League Cup way back in 2008.
Ex-Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar (left) will reunite with old team-mate Dimitar Berbatov (right), who starred for both Tottenham and Man United during his playing career
Guests on the VIP list for the Europa League final
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Daniel Levy
John Textor
Edwin van der Sar
Dimitar Berbatov
Rafa Benitez
Steve Cooper
Luis Figo
Packie Bonner
Maheta Molango
Richard Masters
Mark Bullingham
Debbie Hewitt
Aerin Glazer
Shari Glazer
Ed Glazer
Joel Glazer
Jill Glazer
Kendall Glazer
Libby Glazer
Avram Glazer
Ledley King
Gary Mabbutt
Earlier this week, Amorim admitted he is at a loss over why United fans are still backing him ahead of the Europa League final.
The 40-year-old believes one factor in his favour is that he warned the United board a storm was coming when he began the job in November and his prediction has come true.
'I don't know how to explain how the fans like me in this moment,' said Amorim. 'It's hard to explain but I will try to prove myself to the fans and to the board, but I don't have an explanation for you.
'The good thing is I never worry about that. That is a part of being a coach and the most important thing is I know what I am doing and I explained everything when we started.
'I explained about the storm [coming], I explained all the problems we have to the board, so I was so clear and I explained that I will not change my idea.'
Meanwhile, Postecoglou urged he will move on from Tottenham without regret should the Europa League final, his 100th game in charge of Tottenham, prove to be his penultimate in the job.
'I've been in this position before where the big game was the last game I managed,' said Postecoglou, sounding resigned to his fate in Bilbao, as he listed teams he had left on a high, including Australia, Celtic and Brisbane Roar.
'It's not unusual territory for me. I qualified for a World Cup and left. Won the Treble with Celtic and left. Won at Brisbane and left. It's actually more common than you think.
United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted he is confused why fans continue to back him
'I've always navigated it pretty well. I'm pretty good at just making sure all my focus is on giving this football club the best opportunity it's had for a while to do something special.
'Whatever happens after that, I'm very, very comfortable that I'll continue on trying to win trophies wherever I am.'
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