bet365 punters backing Manchester United for Europa League glory

Manchester United are well fancied to win the Europa League, having taken nearly three-quarters of bets on the Red Devils to lift the trophy in Bilbao.

bet365’s Sports and Betting expert Steve Freeth said: “I wasn’t sure who people would favour coming into this must-win final, as both teams have been pretty shocking away from the Europa League.

“However, 71.8% of bet365 customers are siding with Ruben Amorim and Manchester United, which is much higher than I expected!”

It’s hard to believe that one of these sides will be contesting the UEFA Champions League next term having languished so miserably in the Premier League, but the strength of England’s top flight means that even the division’s weaker teams can slug it with much of Europe’s second tier.

United went to Porto and Fenerbahce and drew, beating Viktoria Plzen and FCSB in the league phase, finishing third after an unbeaten campaign.

They then smashed Real Sociedad, who finished sixth in La Liga last season, prevailing 5-2 on aggregate, before beating Lyon 7-6 in that unforgettable quarter-final.

Athletic Club, who’ve qualified for the UEFA Champions League via their fourth-place finish in La Liga, were the next to fall by the wayside, going down 6-1 on aggregate.

Tottenham have faced slightly more generous opposition in Europe, with Eintracht Frankfurt their toughest test. The German side finished third in the Bundesliga and drew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Dominic Solanke’s 43rd-minute penalty was enough to secure a semi-final berth.

It’s a game that both sides must win for many reasons, and yet feels like one that neither can. United have conspired to not win any of their last eight Premier League ties, picking up just two points in that time and failing to score in their last three home outings, while Spurs have won just one of their last 11.

Indeed, of United’s last 14 Premier League fixtures, they’ve only beaten sides who’ll be in the Championship next season. For Spurs, they’ve won just two of their last 25 games against teams who’ll be in the Premier League next term, though one of them was at home to Manchester United.

While a European trophy is on offer for both clubs, the stakes feel so much higher. While Tottenham, a much better-run club than Manchester United, can afford a season of no European football, it will feel like an enormous opportunity missed as they bid to end their 17-year trophy drought.

For Manchester United, the estimated £100m that UEFA Champions League qualification brings will secure their future and allow the club to rebuild under Ruben Amorim. Without it, the club will struggle to attract – and afford – players of a sufficient calibre to start climbing the table.

The stakes could hardly be higher.

Liam Williams

• Manchester United F.C.
• Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
• European Football
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