Manchester United and Spurs are confirmed to meet in the Europa League final later this month, opening up the possibility of a never-before-seen scenario for the Premier League next season.
United saw off Athletic Club with a 7-1 aggregate win over two legs, while Spurs beat Bodo/Glimt 5-1 to set up an all-English showdown in the final in Bilbao on Wednesday 21 May.
Though both sides have endured miserable domestic campaigns, they will square off for the chance to win European club’s secondary club competition and secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.
It was recently confirmed that England would have a minimum of five teams in the Champions League next season. The Premier League received an extra place, one of two European Performance Spots (EPS) handed out, after Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
How many Premier League sides will play in next season’s Champions League?
The top four has therefore become a top five but the presence of United and Spurs in the final means the Premier League will now have six sides in the Champions League next term – a feat which hasn’t been seen before.
As it stands, with three games remaining, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea will all be in next season’s Champions League – along with United/Spurs.
Sixth, currently occupied by Nottingham Forest, receives a Europa League spot.
But the FA Cup final result between City and Crystal Palace will also prove key as the winners also earn a Europa League place.
Manchester United and Spurs will meet in the Europa League final. Image: Getty
As highlighted by ESPN, if Palace win they will take the spot but if City prevail, the place will transfer to the team who comes seventh.
Newcastle qualified for the Conference League through their Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool but should they and City finish inside the top seven, the team who finishes eighth (currently Bournemouth) will get to play in Europe’s third club tournament next term.
Eight teams are guaranteed to play in Europe next term but with Chelsea’s pursuit of the Conference League and other permutations in relation to league finishes to factor in, there could be as many as nine or ten if the Blues win the final on 28 May but end up outside the European places.
Both United and Spurs will have the same time to prepare for the final as Ange Postecoglou’s side will play Aston Villa on the same night as Chelsea vs United on Friday 16 May.
The winner will be entitled to be £10.95 million in prize money, with the runner up collecting £5.90m.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Premier League, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Champions League, Europa League
