Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur classic matches

There is an all-English Europa League final to look forward to from the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao next Wednesday evening as Manchester United meet Tottenham, with both sides desperate to salvage something from their underwhelming seasons.

It will be the only passage into Europe next season for the winner as United, 4/5 to lift the trophy, languish 16th in the Premier League standings, having amassed just 39 points from their 36 matches.

That is only one point more than a beleaguered Spurs, who sit 17th in the league and are 1/1 for Europa League glory, meaning the pressure is well and truly on both to rescue themselves from dire campaigns.

With the final set to receive plenty of attention, we take a look at five classic meetings that have taken place between the Premier League giants down the years.

Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League - 16th May 1999

The "Part One" of Manchester United's 1999 Treble refers to their Premier League title win, which was sealed with a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford on the final day of 1998/99.

It was an unusual occasion with United going into the closing round of the campaign one point clear of Arsenal, meaning the Gunners were relying on their bitter rivals to do them a good deed.

United made a shaky start, falling behind to a Les Ferdinand strike, and gave the Gunners hope that victory over Aston Villa would secure them the title.

However, goals either side of half-time from David Beckham and Andy Cole allowed United to secure their fifth title in seven years on a nerve-shredding final day.

Six days later, the Red Devils defeated Newcastle 2-0 in the FA Cup final and then completed their historic treble with a stunning 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Tottenham 3-5 Manchester United

Premier League - 29th September 2001

Manchester United produced one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history with a scintillating second-half display.

Trailing 3-0 at half-time, the Red Devils had been completely outplayed by Spurs, who were in dreamland thanks to goals from debutant Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege.

However, in a true game of two halves, some wise words from Sir Alex Ferguson at the break sparked a response from the champions and they came out firing.

Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham all got on the scoresheet in a frantic second period to complete what remains one of the most memorable fightbacks in English top-flight history.

Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham

Premier League - 4th October 2020

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returned to Old Trafford with his Tottenham team and had the last laugh as the Red Devils were routed 6-1 in a one-sided contest.

United took a second-minute lead through Bruno Fernandes from the penalty spot but that lasted only two minutes and things quickly turned sour once Tanguy Ndombele had equalised.

The Red Devils were reduced to 10 men before the half-hour mark, with Anthony Martial given his marching orders, and a brace from Heung-min Son, plus a Harry Kane strike, had Tottenham 4-1 up and in cruise control at half-time.

Another goal for Kane and one from Serge Aurier in the second half made it six as Spurs recorded their biggest ever win at Old Trafford to match their record home win over United, which had been recorded in September 1932.

Manchester United 3-2 Tottenham

Premier League - 12th March 2022

Fourteen years after his last hat-trick for Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a treble as the Red Devils edged past Tottenham 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.

At 37, Ronaldo's best days were clearly behind him but it sent a reminder that he was still capable of moments of brilliance.

It was a topsy-turvey clash which saw United twice pegged back before the Portuguese grabbed an 81st-minute winner.

However, Tottenham would have the last laugh, as they went on to finish fourth and claim Champions League football at Arsenal and the Red Devils' expense.

Tottenham 4-3 Manchester United

EFL Cup - 19th December 2024

Tottenham have had United's measure this season, winning all three meetings, including a 4-3 victory over the Red Devils in the EFL Cup quarter-final.

Ange Postecoglou's side were cruising at 3-0 up with less than half an hour to go but two mistakes from stand-in goalkeeper Fraser Forster opened the door for a fightback.

Spurs eased the pressure with two minutes to go as Son restored their two-goal lead, although there was still time for Jonny Evans to head home another consolation for United.

Tottenham went on to lose their two-legged semi-final with now-Premier League champions Liverpool, succumbing to a 4-1 aggregate defeat.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.