Ange Postecoglou gives frustrated response to Man Utd comparison over Europa League final | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has lashed out at what he claimed to be attempts to discredit his side's progression to the Europa League final.

Despite a disappointing domestic season which has left them 16th in the Premier League standings, Spurs comfortably saw off Bodo/Glimt to book their spot in the European final against Manchester United, who themselves are only 15th in the table.

While United head coach Ruben Amorim has argued winning the Europa League, and subsequently qualifying for the Champions League, would not save their bitterly underwhelming campaign, Postecoglou made no secret of the importance he is giving the upcoming fixture.

"Why do I care what United think? Why is that relevant to me?" a frustrated Postecoglou responded. "Ask the Manchester United manager why he said that. Me, I've said all along that this is important.

"To be fair, you know better than me [what winning the Europa League would mean for Spurs], you've probably followed more closely than I have. What do you think a trophy would do for this club? The question answers itself.

Spurs saw off Bodo/Glimt / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

"But what's happening right now is that people are fearing that. That it actually might happen. Because if it happens, [people will say] 'let's see how we can tear it down somehow', diminish it somehow by saying it's been a poor season and that we don't deserve this or don't deserve that or by somehow comparing us to Manchester United. Maybe if we had Man Utd's success then maybe I’d have a different view.

"But I came into this role, you know better than me, I could have been sitting here at exactly the same time in fifth position and I can guarantee that the commentary around me, 'well that's great Ange but this club needs to win something'. That's exactly what everyone would be saying.

"So of course it's massive. Of course it is, because you have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15 or 20 years and what the supporters have been through.

"Man Utd have got their own journey to go on. Maybe if they go 15 years without winning something they'll change their perspective on things as well."