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Excitement builds in Bilbao ahead of Manchester United's game with Spurs in the Europa League final

Excitement builds in Bilbao ahead of Manchester United's game with Spurs in the Europa League final

ITV News21-05-2025

Video report by ITV Granada sports correspondent Chris Hall.
It's a huge night for Manchester United as they face Tottenham in the final of the Europa League. Thousands of United supporters have headed over to the Spanish city of Bilbao.
After a Premier League season to forget Manchester United are hoping for a Europa League campaign to remember.
Despite their club's domestic difficulties fans have travelled in their thousands to be here for the final.
The San Mames stadium in Bilboa is once again hosting United supporters who are enjoying a second sitting of it's cuisine and culture just three weeks after they were there for the first leg of their Europa League semi final with local side Athletic Club.
It has a capacity of 53,000, with both United and their opponents fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur receiving an allocation of 15,000 each.
At their official fan park, United fans have been soaking up the pre match atmosphere with some well known faces.
Wayne Rooney talks to ITV Granada's David Chisnall in Bilbao.
Former United striker Wayne Rooney says a win tonight is vital: "If you win this , you end the season with a European trophy and get back to the Champions and I'm sure that would be very important in bringing players in the summer as well.
"So I think it's a huge game for both teams and whoever wins it, you know could say they've actually finished the season in not a bad position, whoever loses it, I think it's a nightmare season for them."
Harry Maguire says the team are motivated to win the final for the fans, he said: "They've been absolutely incredible. It is surprising as players how much they are backing us.
"We've disappointed them far too much. I'd say they're the greatest fans in the world. They deserve it and we deserve to go and win the first final and give them that day out."
Manchester United have secured just six Premier League victories since Ruben Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag in November, but their impressive unbeaten run in the Europa League has kept their campaign alive.
'Nothing is going to change our season,' he said on the impact of the glory in Spain. 'Players know, everybody knows the stuff, the fans know.
'But winning a European title can help us to have that feeling that can help us to build (for) the future.'

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