How Man Utd & Tottenham could shape the Premier League top-five finale | OneFootball

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have had a forgettable season in the Premier League, but can still salvage some pride in the Europa League.

Although consigned to the ignominy of a bottom-half finish, both teams may have a big say in the top-five race despite being a long way off the pace.

Manchester United

Last weekend’s dismal 2-0 home defeat to West Ham United condemned Man Utd to their joint-longest winless run in the Premier League era, making manager Ruben Amorim feel ’embarrassed’.

As a result of yet another disappointment, the Red Devils stare down the barrel of finishing as the lowest-ranked team outside the top four, with only a point separating them from 17th-placed Spurs.

The mood around the Old Trafford outfit is far from idyllic as they gear up for Friday’s away clash against top-five hopefuls Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Recent visits to London have been miserable for Man Utd, with only three wins from their last 22 league outings in the capital (D5, L14) – a dreadful record that underscores their struggles on the road.

However, they’ve fared well at the Bridge, going unbeaten in seven consecutive away meetings with Chelsea (W3, D4) before last season’s last-gasp 4-3 loss.

If they can get back on track on Friday, it would not only lift their spirits ahead of the Europa League final but also compromise the Blues’ quest to return to the Champions League.

Depending on the result in Bilbao next week, Man Utd may enter the final-day clash against Aston Villa with little more than pride at stake.

Nonetheless, they should still be capable of throwing a spanner into their rivals’ ambitions.

Wins in the last two rounds won’t change much for Man Utd in terms of their final placing in the Premier League, but may cause havoc in the top-five battle.

Tottenham also have nothing but pride left to play for in the domestic championship, yet they can still derail Villa’s bid to dine out at Europe’s top table for the second season on the bounce.

Tottenham Hotspur

Whether Ange Postecoglou will remain in charge of Spurs next season remains to be seen, as not even Europa League glory may be enough to save him from a summer axe.

Halting the club’s 17-year title drought would be a decent way to go, although the former Celtic manager must still be hoping to keep hold of his job despite a woeful domestic campaign.

A 4-0 win at Villa Park in this corresponding fixture last term was one of the high points in Postecoglou’s tenure in London, but Spurs’ reality looks quite different heading into this meeting.

Securing a berth in the Europa League final cannot amend Tottenham for losing 20 top-flight matches this season, let alone the fact they’re the most realistic candidates to finish 17th.

There’s still a glimmer of hope for the capital club to steer clear of such a humiliating finish, although it wouldn’t erase the fact that this is already their most defeat-laden Premier League campaign.

Losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace on home turf in the build-up to this trip didn’t make for good reading, and they’ll try to find comfort in beating Villa 4-1 in November’s reverse fixture.

With nothing to lose, Spurs will be out to complete their first league double over Unai Emery’s side since 2021/22 and knock them down from a 17-game top-flight unbeaten run in Birmingham.

It’s needless to say how significant it would be for Tottenham to build a head of steam before the final, and spoiling Villa’s lofty aspirations would only come as a bonus.