Football Daily - Will Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur save their season?

Episode Date: May 20, 2025

Is this Ange Postecoglou’s penultimate game in charge of Spurs regardless of what happens? And how would winning change the challenge ahead for Ruben Amorim?Kelly Cates is with Peter Schmeichel, Andros Townsend and Mark Ogden to preview the Europa League Final.Ian Dennis joins us from Bilbao to assess the mood in both clubs’ pre match press conferences, with Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim sharing their thoughts on the eve of the final. Plus, we hear from Mason Mount and discuss Tottenham’s attacking options. TIMECODES: 08:02 – Ange Postecoglou interview 13:01 – Ruben Amorim interview 23:20 – Amorim’s difficult start to life at Old Trafford 32:21 – Importance of Fernandes & Maguire 36:12 – Mason Mount interview 46:27 – Will Spurs use their Europa League or Premier League game plan?COMMENTARIES: Wednesday 21st May - 2000 - Europa League Final: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - BBC Radio 5live Saturday 24th May - 1500 - Scottish Cup Final: Aberdeen v Celtic - Sports Extra 3 Saturday 24th May - 1700 - Women’s Champions League Final: Arsenal v Barcelona - BBC Radio 5live Sunday 25th May - 1600 - Premier League: Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - BBC Radio 5live

BBC Sounds music radio podcasts. The Football Daily podcast with Kelly Kitts. Hello and welcome to the Football Daily. Our focus on this episode is all on Bilbao where it's Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. There's a place in next season's Champions League on the line and the potential to save their seasons. With me to look ahead to it, former Spurs winger Andros Townsend, ESPN's Mark Ogden, former Man United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel who's already made it to Bilbao, Peter. I tell you what, it's a really difficult place to get to.

There's not many direct flights from anywhere really. And whatever flights there are, I mean, they are hugely expensive and very much in demand. And how Men United and Tottenham fans are getting here, that is just simply beyond me. But I guess we'll get some interesting stories in the days to come about how they've gotten here. But I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it. Yeah, there's a few of them on the BBC Sport website at the moment where fans have just started out on their journeys or in the middle of their journeys. But as they arrive in Bilbao,

those stories are going to come to fruition. The thing is, Mark, these sides have made heavy weather of the league, but not necessarily heavy weather of getting to this final. No, I mean it's been quite a surprise hasn't it considering how bad they've both been in the league. I think from United's perspective that the Europa League has suited them a lot more because it's obviously a less physical league than the Premier League and I think they've managed to negotiate. They haven't even lost in Europe this season which is remarkable considering how many games they've lost in the Premier League. So United are there, Tottenham, I saw them in Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, I was really impressed by how professional they were, how much they did their job, and when everyone thought that was going to be a defeat in Angie's last game. So, you know, Spurs

have shown as well they can perform when least expected to, so in terms of tomorrow, I just cannot call it. It just, I mean, where do you go? How do you start? It's so unpredictable, and yet, Andros, the confidence for Spurs will come in large part from the fact that they've already beaten Manchester United three times this season in all competitions. Yeah, and I think if this was a normal Premier League game, I'd put Spurs massive favourites because of the results they have had against United. But Spurs in a final, I don't know, as a Spurs fan growing up, I'm just

not confident and United have been there and done it. It's another game for them, whereas for most of the Spurs players it's probably the biggest game of their careers, so I think that could be a leveller. I've heard that a few times, Peter, about Manchester United's history almost helping them over the line. Do you think that that does play a part in a final? them over the line. Do you think that that does play a part in a final? I think that history in general is massively important. Not that you want to go backwards and do things in the same way you've done or played in the same style you did 10 or 15 or 20 years ago. More than it teaches you how things have been done. So you can go back and look at the successful spells of, for instance, Manchester United,

and you can look behind sort of the headlines, and you can see what was the word that went before they actually ended up in that situation. And I think that helps. This team, they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final last season. Not all the same players, but this team in a similar situation, having disappointed massively in the Premier League, still went out and beat probably the best team in Europe at the time. So they've shown that they can actually step up to the occasion. I totally agree with Mark that United have played reasonable well, surprisingly well in Europe. And I agree with the reasons why it's a slower game, it's more tactical,

and it's not the same level of pressure and it's not as relentless as the Premier League is. So of course, Man United fans, myself included, should take some comfort from that and be confident about tomorrow. But tomorrow is not a European team. It's an English team. So it's like a Premier League game and it will be played out like a Premier League game tomorrow. And this is where my worry is. If it had been any other team, I would have backed Man United to win it absolutely nearly every day. But because it's not not because it's a Premier League team and you know I can't I bet I can't say no but I do know we lost 18 Premier League games

we're gonna we're gonna work through this together over over the time it takes here we might be able to come to some kind of conclusion by the end of it but I doubt it we might end up further away from where we started from both Ange Postocoglu and Ruben Amerin have been talking to the media ahead of the final. Our senior football reporter Ian Dennis was at both press conferences for us. Deno, how's Bilbao treating you? Are you partaking of the pin shows? Well you know when Peter said that it's very difficult getting a flight here I was due to arrive yesterday, missed my connection, had a night at Amsterdam airport,

was awake at five o'clock this morning for a flight to Madrid and then another flight to Bilbao. And just to give you a little bit of insight as to how busy Bilbao Airport is gonna be, tomorrow there's actually gonna be a record 268 flights coming into Bilbao tomorrow but there is 700 between today and Thursday. So if there's any connections that are going to be missed there's going to be a lot of people stranded as I can certainly testify to. As for Bilbao tonight Kelly, the sun is shining and I haven't really seen a

great deal of the centre on this trip so far because I've been busy, but I would imagine that they are enjoying the local survey there. Yes, I've been having a little look on social media, which does have its uses at times, and it's really, look, it looks like a real carnival atmosphere is building,

as you would expect. What was the mood like in the press conferences, Dan-o? I've gotta say, the Manchester United one was extremely relaxed. There was a question to Ange Poste Coglu, which will come to a minute, it was which he bristled at. And then in the Ruben Ameren press conference, where he actually sat in the middle of Bruno Fernandes as well as Harry Maguire. What he actually did in that situation, there was a question asked to him about saying your record isn't that too

dissimilar to Ange Postocoglu and yet he's a manager under real scrutiny and Bruno Fernandez actually interjected and said oh no he's under pressure and it was all very jovial. However I've got to say it wasn't very jovial with Ange Postocoglu because there was a report in the Standard which basically talked about how Postocoglu is teetering between being a hero and a clown with this Tottenham legacy. Yes, it could be their greatest season, first trophy since 2008, first European success since 1984, or the other side of it, that fine line, it could be one of the worst seasons

that they've had for a long time and Poster Coglu although the question that the word the clown wasn't referenced in the question Poster Coglu clearly seen it or read about it and he actually said Regardless what happens mate? I am NOT a clown It's taken me 26 years to work here, and I've got to say he was he was captivating but he also bristled at that suggestion. He then talked about his own record about winning and he was quite defiant at times but also I've got to say there was a feeling of inevitability that a parting of the ways, regardless of what happens, is going to happen come next week.

Yeah we will come to his future and what that holds in just a second. But for both managers, as you say, there was quite a challenging spin to a lot of the questions, very different from what you would normally expect ahead of a big European final. Let's hear from Ange Postocoglu. This is what he said when he was asked if this could be his penultimate game in charge. It doesn't matter, really. It doesn't matter because the reality of it is the opportunity is the same for me and more importantly for the club.

I've said before, whatever happens beyond tomorrow is kind of irrelevant when you think about the opportunity that exists right now and that is to provide something special for this football club and for the supporters and for everyone who's worked so hard, not just this year, but for the last however many years, 15, 16 years, been for a trophy and 41 years for a European trophy. If I was worried about my tenure at this football club, fair to say, we wouldn't be in this position because I would have been distracted long ago. I'm pretty good at just sort of making sure that all my focus is on, you know, giving this football club the best opportunity it has had for a while to do something special and whatever happens after that

mate, I'm very very comfortable that I'll continue on trying to win trophies wherever I am. I've been in this position before where the big game was the last game I managed. It's not unusual territory for me and I've always navigated that pretty well because for me nothing is more important than my responsibility of this football club and its fans that tomorrow me and the players, the minds are only on one thing and that is trying to create something special. I really feel like we're building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerates that.

I still think there's a lot of work to be done. That's quite obvious with the way we've sort of, you know, the challenges we've had this year which I think are well chronicled but but you know, I think there's some, some reasoning in the context of that, but also there's been some growth that I'd like to see through. But, you know, whether that happens or not is, it's not that important right now. But I don't think, no, but far from it, this job's finished and I certainly feel like, you know, there's some, there's some growth there that we can take this club to where it needs to be.

I was struck by your story the other week about the Stonecutters' Creed and it's not quite 101 games but it is still a significant milestone for you. It's your 100th match in charge and I just wonder how would you assess the impact that you have made in the last two years? Yeah, hopefully that 101st blows blows tomorrow mate, not on Sunday. It's hard to sort of kind of contextualise sort of the challenges of the last couple of years. I guess from my perspective, you know, I came into the club with some pretty clear objectives about what the priorities were for the club in terms

of taking over. I tried as hard as I can to kind of stick to that process of getting the club to a position where they can challenge for trophies and at the same time rejuvenate a squad and change the playing style. It's been a fair assignment and without its plenty of challenges along the way. But I guess with such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task I was given, that is to bring trophies to the club. Dan O'Donoghue, Ange Postococ there, there's still room for growth at Tottenham.

There's certainly room for improvement. What do you think he meant by growth? I think he still feels that he's got a job to do. I mean, he signed a four year deal, so he's halfway through his four year deal. I still think that he not only, if they can win the trophy tomorrow, but to progress

probably transfer targets as well but there's just there was a feeling within the room that regardless what happens that he's not going to get that opportunity and the story about the Stonecutters Creed is that and that's the reason I asked it is that he was talking the other day the other week before the Liverpool game that you know you might have a hundred blowers before you can and it's the hundred and first blow that you actually crack the stone and it's the work that's got him beforehand and I think that's he's talking about you know he's the body of work that he's done over the last two years and he still feels that

he's got something to prove and something to offer but if you look at their league form and I think this is the true barometer 48 points from their last 46 league games I think you know yes you can have a good cup run and yes they might they might win the European trophy tomorrow but when you look at that I think that really is it is a true reflection where Tottenham have probably going to be forced into making a decision. And yet the same could be said for Ruben Amerin and he was talking only a few minutes ago, I know you've just made your way up to the position inside the stadium now from the press conference and Amerin was asked why this isn't being viewed as a match to decide his future

in the same way as for Ange Poste Coghli. I don't know, I don't know. I know that in this kind of club, also in Tottenham, especially Manchester United, it's strange because you have some coaches that are here that lose some games and they are sacked. It's hard to explain. I think people see what we are trying to do. I think people see that sometimes I'm thinking more in the club than in myself. People understand, especially the board, understand that we have a lot of issues that in the context is really hard. So I don't know how to explain, I don't know how to explain how the fans like me in this moment so it's hard to explain. I will try to prove myself to the fans, to the board, but I don't have an explanation

for you. But again, I think it's a good thing for me. I never worry about that. That is a part of being a coach. And the most important thing, I know what I'm doing. And I explain everything again before when we start, I explained about the storm, I explained all the problems that we have to the board. So I was so clear, I explained that I will not change my idea. So they know they cannot say one thing that I said to get the job and then I changed my mind. It was the opposite. I think the board can understand that the fans can understand that but we will we will reach a moment that we have to win no matter what.

So I don't I don't have an explanation for that. You sat on that stage three weeks ago and you said that winning could change the summer but it wouldn't necessarily fix the problems. Just wonder how big are those problems and how long will it take to fix them? I think it's hard to speak about that in this moment because we need to be excited and confident. But we already know the problems.

There's a lot of things that we need to change in our club. The way we do everything during the week in Carrington, the recruitment, the academy, I think we need to improve. So it's hard to point one thing and that will not be solved by winning a cup. So I think for me, we have bigger things to deal with that, to deal, to put this club back to the top. Tomorrow it will be important for us, for our fans, that feeling of winning can help us to have the strength to do every job that we have to do it. And that's it. So we have a lot to do in our club, not just winning

tomorrow, but tomorrow will be massive for us and our fans. Ian Dennis, it was interesting listening to Amereen because I know you touched on the fact that at times that press conference was very buoyant and upbeat and he was sitting next to Bruno Fernandes there as well, but also clear-eyed in terms of the problems at the club and how they can't be fixed just by winning one trophy. Yeah, he didn't, I mean, that was something that he talked about ahead of the semi-final here

three weeks ago. He didn't necessarily want to be drawn down that avenue tonight because he wanted to have that feeling of excitement. But he's still a realist. He's actually been boosted as well in terms of the team news, Kelly, because Dallo, Xerxi and Yoro are all available, which we didn't certainly think that was the case with Xerxi in particular. We thought he was out for the season and even he admitted that he was of that opinion and they have pushed him and he has responded But they will be limited in terms of the minutes that they can play but Delict is definitely out And as from a Tottenham point of view as well just for their team news obviously there's no Madison

And Lucas Bergvall has travelled, actually has Madison too, but Bergvall won't make it, which is a blow, but Papsar is fine according to Ange-Poster Coglu. Yeah, that's news for Will the Spurs fans who's on his way to Bilbao in the car with his dad and his uncle saying they were mulling over Bergvall's fitness. Well there's the update and it's probably not the one that they wanted to hear. But look, Harry Maguire was in the press conference and he was talking about Amerem having him dribbling up and down the wing in training and sort of bad. I just wonder if, from your experience of sitting in these press conferences,

if you can get a read on how the game's going to go just by the mood and the tone and the sort of things that are discussed on matchday minus one? Maybe if it was not just these two teams but with these two teams expect the unexpected tomorrow. Although the one thing I can guarantee you is it won't be goalless. If Ange-Poster-Coglu hasn't had a goalless draw in his entire tenure as a Tottenham manager but I honestly can't call it a little bit like what Mark had said to you earlier, I don't know which way it's going to go and you can't really gauge it from the press conference, but I did feel that the Manchester United one was

a lot more relaxed, it was interesting as well where earlier you had Poro and Son for Tottenham and not the manager, whereas in the Manchester United one, Amorim came in with Haran Maguire at one side and Bruno Fernandes to the other. And then also you've got to look at how the two teams from a playing point of view are building up to this final, because Manchester United, I know the results haven't necessarily gone in their favour in the last two games, but they've by and large played a stronger squad than what Tottenham have, and Tottenham have been sort of like resting players ahead of the final and Amriem was saying well his preparation you've you've got to try to compete to

be in the best frame of mind so I think there's there's two different sides to how they've approached the final as well in that respect. I've seen that Tottenham have actually trained on the pitch today, which obviously they have that opportunity. But since Man United they played here not long ago. I just wonder if they stayed at home, trained at Carrington, they just travelled and then not trained on the pitch. Yeah, that's another interesting, the way the two sets of players have done, or the

two clubs have done something different. So Tottenham arrived yesterday, they settled in and then they've obviously had a training session today. They did a walk around on the pitch here in Bilbao this afternoon, whereas Manchester United trained at Carrington and have just come in today. So again, a different approach in that respect, Peter. Daniel, just on that, just the fact that Spurs arrived on Monday, it gets back to the whole kind of the club mentality, doesn't it? that United have been down this road quite a lot and they're just flying in the day before. Listen, a European final is a big occasion, it's bigger than domestic finals, it comes around so rarely. But the fact that Spurs went on Monday, does

that tell you that they're treating it a bit differently? And it could obviously go either way couldn't it? That might be too soon, they might be too long in a hotel, the players might think it's a different approach. How do you gauge that? Yeah, I know it's such a tricky one to call as well, but what they've also done, Mark, they had a nice funny quote actually from Ange-Poster Coghlu. And he says it was player driven as well.

They had a bonding session at the lodge at their training HQ in Enfield, and they had a barbecue, but he said he said look I know I'm Australian and I love a barbecue but I wasn't there. So they've had a bonding session as well. I just think with these two sides we've seen with anything could happen. It really could it's you just you can't call it. I mean Peter before was talking about you know any other European side you'd fancy Manchester United but you look at the Premier League form in contrast to that to

the Europa League. I just think that it could be an absolute classic but I can't call it either and I don't think many people can. Do you know what that's exactly how you want a final to be in the build up. You don't want one that looks like it's going to be a walk over one way or the other. Man United's only clean sheet actually was in this stadium, but they only kept one clean sheet in the last 10. But then there's other little quirks as well, Kelly, where Man United, Tottenham have won all three games this season.

Never in their history have Tottenham beaten Manchester United in four successive matches. Tottenham have never won in Spain. They've only played on seven occasions, which I thought was quite surprising, but they've never won in Spain. There's little quirks like that. But then there's parallels with Tottenham in 1984 as well in that last European trophy that we'll probably get into tomorrow in the build-up, where Keith Berkinshaw, his final game in charge, was winning the UEFA Cup against Anderlecht. Just so many parallels. I've just got a vision of you in the sunshine in

Bolbao where everybody else is enjoying it. You're worrying your way over all these little facts and trying to predict what's going to happen tomorrow, but I think there's going to be a lot of Tottenham and Man United fans who are going to be just as unsure as you about what the outcome of this game is going to be. And it's why it's so fascinating to look forward to. Maybe take them over a little cerveza or two this evening, Dan O. Thank you very much for now though. Hasta luego. The 72 Plus on the Football Daily. I'm Aaron Paul and I'm Jobe Makenagh and on

Wednesdays on the Football Daily we bring you 72 Plus, the home of the EFL from Five Life Sport. As we'll get stuck into the latest from the Football League and beyond. They've got so much quality there, for me, worthy winners. They've only actually lost four games all season which is quite remarkable really. That's 72 Plus, the EFL podcast only on the Football Daily. Listen on BBC Sounds. The Football Daily podcast with Kelly Kitts. Manchester United are the only unbeaten side in major European competition this season.

They've won nine and drawn five of their 14 Europa League games. They want to be the only the fourth side to win the Europa League without losing a single match that campaign. However, they have also gone eight league games without a win for the first time since an 11 game stretch between December 1989 and February 1990. So I'm giving with one hand and I'm taking away with the other one. Hard to say how the progression has gone under Ruben Amorim. So Mark, I know you've written about Manchester United and Amorim in particular. How difficult has he found it at times?

He's found it really tough. I mean it's been six months that he's been there now. Let's not forget that he wanted to come in the summer, he didn't want to come mid-season but United said look basically it's now or never but he kind of identified the problems that he was walking into and he'd been right about those problems but I think the problems have been much bigger than he expected you know that the squad is extremely weak and imbalanced, there's very few of those players that you would think would have a future that United and the Brunel were in. He's got a new system that he's trying to impose which a lot of the players aren't suited to and I was told that in January it got

so bad that he was considering offering to quit. Now I put that to the club and the club said no that wasn't the case there was no formal move to quit but people at the club have said that yes he did need reassurances that he was their guy and that he would be back and that the club had to say look you know we're going to back you through this we know it's tough we know there's a problem we know that this squad is imbalanced and it needs a lot of work so he's been reassured but someone else told me that he's that one of the positives and negatives of Ruben Amorim is that he's a very passionate guy so he said when he comes after a game in a press conference when he said most of his kind of explosive things about the worst team in Man United's history or you know I'd rather my 63 year old goalkeeping coach

on the bench to Marcus Rashford these things they say look he's just hot two days later when there's another press conference he'll apologize and backtrack so he is a guy that wears his heart on his sleeve but he's really struggled he really has struggled and it's really hard I mean Peter probably will have a better feel for it than than anyone because he's played at the club but he's a young coach, Ruben Ambrim, and he has got a lot of people who think he's one of the best coaches around, and I think he could be the guy, but he's lost 14 league games. In his whole career in Portugal, he lost 14 league games.

I mean, I've got the stat here. So basically, when he arrived at United, he'd come from sports, had a great time at sporting, he'd lost 14 of 167 league games. He's now lost 14 of 26 league arrived at United, he'd come from sports, had a great time at sporting, he'd lost 14 of 167 league games He's now lost 14 of 26 league games at United. So he's really struggling But he's got this amazing chance to save his season, to save United's season by winning the Europa League, a major trophy, and getting back in the Champions League It's almost like snakes and ladders, isn't it? They'd rather get down a big snake and end up at the bottom again. I'll climb a ladder and be back in the Champions League.

So that's what's at stake. But yet he's found it really tough. And the jury's still out. You know, the United fans think he's great because he's honest. He's talking about the problems that they've identified over a long period of time. And I think this has been a free hit this season because he inherited such a mess. But as soon as next season starts, when he's got his own players in, if it carries on like this, then football is football, it won't last long.

No, and he is conflicted and that very much came across in your article Mark, because Peter, you know, in the same breath as Amirim said that it would be normal for the club to change the management team if Manchester United continue to fail under his leadership. He ruled out leaving, but then almost at the same time raised the prospect that he might leave if that happened. He's as conflicted as anyone else at the moment. It's a really, really tough job that he's taken up on himself. I'm so glad that Mark

said that we've only lost 14 games in the league. It's actually 18 by the way. He's lost 14. But he's not here. But we have lost. So this is how we look at it at the moment. But I agree with you, Mart. I have a feeling that he could be the right guy. I like the way he communicates. I like the way that he's very clear on what he wants. I think in a way maybe if he'd been a little bit more experienced as a coach, had more years under his wings, under his belt, so I think that he might never have said, I'm gonna, he actually repeated that today, he will not change, I will not change my idea, he said. That he wasn't so stopping on the system. I wish, actually only a little criticism I have of him is

that he's coming in and said, I've got this system, this is how we're going to play. I think he would have done himself a very, very big favour, acceptinging the job, come into the club and say, I've got ideas about how I want to play. Of course, I don't know if this squad can play like this. Now I'm going to feel my way around, you see, and then, you know, build towards something. And then let that just be the narrative of his tenure, not, I'm going to play like this.

Very clearly, with a lot of players not being able to play in that system and not probably not even understanding the system. And that's the only little thing I have. Apart from that, he's, I mean, he's come into a really, really difficult place of a situation. The club is not in a great place. There's so much unrest, there's so many people being laid off. There is so much negativity around the club. And he is not in a position, other than obviously winning games and trophies, to change that kind of, yeah, I use the word narrative again, around the club. That's got nothing to do with him, unless he wins the Premier League, unless he gets into the Champions League, wins this game tomorrow.

That will change a little bit, but that is completely beyond his control. It's been a mess for a long, long, long time. And until that is not a mess anymore, regardless of who's in charge of Manchester United football team, they will always have a really, really uphill battle and a tough job. I think from my experience, there are two types of managers who come in mid-season. There are the managers who come in and wants to lift spirits, play five-a-side, be everyone's mate, and get the morale up to hopefully change results. And then there are managers like Amrén who come in, they want to change the way they play, they want to change the culture, they want to put their own stamp on the squad. And when you come in and you do that, it takes time. And I know it's unacceptable to lose 14 games as a Man United manager, but it's going to take time

when you're looking at the wholesale changes that Man United need to get back to where they were when Peter was playing. So it's going to take time. Yeah, he said that winning the Europa League might change the summer, but it's not going to change things in a sort of broader sense at the club. And the reason it might change things in the summer, Mark, is because of the financial implications of qualifying for the Champions League in part. Yeah, this final means so much, so many different things to both clubs. Obviously Spurs need to win it to win a trophy, but United need to win it to get their financial situation back on

track. Now, I've been told in terms of the two major targets at the moment, it's Liam de Lapa and Matthias Cunha, and that United can do those deals without being in the Champions League, that that is already budgeted for. But obviously being in the Champions League means that they will suddenly be able to compete for more players.'ll be able to have more freedom in terms of letting players go Because there are certain players that are on the payroll right now Marcus Rashford Anthony and others that they want to move on But because they're on such big wages, they can't actually finance their departures if they're back in the Champions League It's worth around a hundred million pounds about at least sixty million pounds for being in the competition in terms of prize money But every time old Trafford hosts a game £100 million, about at least £60 million for being in the competition in terms of prize money.

But every time Old Trafford hosts a game, it's worth £5 million. If you look at the accounts, it's a £5 million income generator. There's at least eight Champions League games, so straight off the bat, £100 million. That's what it would add to United's finances. And that's a massive number for any club, never mind a club that is as commercially successful as United. The problem that United have had over recent years is that they've paid too high wages, too high fees and they haven't delivered enough in terms of prize money on the way back in, so that's why they're losing money.

But being in the Champions League would be a massive shortcut to getting back to some sort of common sense, but it's not going to stop the job cuts, the job cuts are still going to happen, there's going to be around maybe 200 job cuts this summer. And that is all part of the process I've been told to get the finances back in line. But obviously, if you bring in £100 million by being in the Champions League, it changes everything. But Amir is right, you know, it's not going to suddenly be, you know, you're not going to wake up tomorrow morning with the sunshine and all the traffic and everything, and the

roof's been fixed. That'll take a long time. It's a long time, yeah. Something that David Moist said at the weekend at Goodison Park really struck me. It struck a chord about it, and it was similar to what's happened at United. He said that when he went back to Everton, January, February time, Moist felt it was a broken club, but it's not broken anymore, he said. For me, United is a broken club in the sense that the fans are at war with the owners,

the players are unhappy with the situation, with the job cuts at the club, the people who work at the club don't know if they're going to be there one day to the next. Everything about the club seems to be in a state of conflict, turmoil, and that can't end with a trophy. It's just a sticking plaster, really. I mean, I've just had an email now while we're on air from one of the fans groups about a protest plan for the weekend for the Aston Villa game. So even if they win tomorrow night, there's going to be a protest at Old Trafford about the Glazers. So that shows you that even

success will not end the problems. It will just be a temporary measure, but financially at least it'll be a massive bonus and benefit for the club going forward. We'll talk about Spurs very shortly as well, but let's focus on some of the key players for Manchester United ahead of tomorrow night's game. Peter, I just wonder as much from a leadership point of view as anything, how important Bruno Fernandes has been? Well, I think, you know, you've got Harry Maguire and you've got Bruno Fernandes and they are the two true leaders of that team. I think Bruno is the one player who can take some pride from his personal performance this year.

I think he's been trying his very, very best. It's been really difficult for him. His brain works on a different frequency than most other players. And he's not had anyone who, not a lot of players who kind of been on that wavelength with him, but he's just been absolutely fantastic. He gets criticized for some of his body language, the way he reacts on the pitch. But for me, it just shows you that he really, really cares. And that's for a Manchester United fan and a former player,

that really means something. It's not somebody just sat there going through the motions, earning a wage and just being happy playing for Manchester United. He truly cares. He wants to win. I'm so happy he's there because he's somebody who can start building the new Manchester United, if you like, around.

And the same goes for Harry. I think they took the option they had on Harry. And I think also my information is that probably even talking about a new contract, but he has earned that only a year ago, a little bit more than a year ago. He was told by the then coach that he was number five in line. And he's always for me been the absolute best defender that was in that squad. He might be not the quickest player on the planet, but he's clever. He defends, his prime thing is to defend and he does it in style. And when you're a goalkeeper playing behind somebody like him it makes your job easier because you don't have to worry about what he's doing he does exactly what you expect him to do and then for me he's always been a leader and you know those two are for me

the most important players in that team. And the other thing that Harry Maguire has added this season is a really crucial goal scoring ability, particularly in this competition. But Kerry, don't you remember, I mean, go back to players like Steve Brewster, Gary Pallister, players like that who played in Manchester United, they would do the same kind of things in times when you went into full risk mode, they will be up there and you're asking the question of the team that's been defending for so long. You're asking a different question, do you have an answer? And very, very often they don't and they're afraid this big guy is there. It might not end up with him, but he might have created

the space for somebody else. And that could be the difference between losing a game or drawing a game or staying in the game as we know that Harry also he's, uh, he's done this season. So it's just something that Manchester United should do. I mean, I haven't understood for years and years why that didn't happen. Why did we not do that? Why did, you know, if you're behind in the game, we kept playing the ball around in the back. Why can't you put the big guys up there

and just bombard the box? Because it can be so effective. And Harry Maguire is perfect for that. Yeah, we've absolutely seen how effective it can be, particularly in the big games this season. I wanted to talk about Mason Mount as well, who's impressed at times playing in that false nine role. And he told the BBC Sports Simon Stone that he wants to show what

he can do when he's fully fit. I want to score goals. I want to have them moments. I want to create opportunities for my teammates. I just haven't had a lot of opportunities to do that. So as I said before, anytime I'm on the pitch, I want to show them what I can do. I want to create chances for my team and win games and win trophies. So we have the opportunity to do that coming up.

We want to finish the season as strong as possible by winning the trophy. So yeah, that's always been our goal, but yeah, I'm massively focused on what I can do when I'm on the pitch. You seem like a very positive person, because it'd be easy to kind of go forward one step then go back and beat yourself up. It's not always easy, I mean I've had many days at Carrington sitting on a treatment bed when I want to be out there training, I've been in

the stand watching a lot of games where I want to be playing. But that was the circumstances and I give everything to continue my rehab, to continue to try and get back and be back as quick as possible. That was always on my mind. So, yes, it's been difficult, but I've learned a lot from it, from these moments. And now I'm back and I feel a lot better. You really appreciate it a lot more. Speaking from a personal perspective, but you've seen that from a club perspective, that's not gone the way that the club expected. Everybody knows the narrative around this game 16th against 17th. You played in 2021 in two finals, one that you won, one that you lost.

You know the difference between the feeling of winning and losing. How important is it not to let the noise around the game affect you and come out of this game with a win? Yeah, we as a group, we always try to block out the noise. I think as a group we know the situation we're in, we know the league is not good enough and we haven't been good enough in that, but the Europa League is something that we look forward to as a final and we want to win that final. It's a trophy and it's Champions League football for next season. So as I said, we'll do everything in our powers to win that game.

We won't forget about what we did in the league or our league form. That's something that we massively need to look at for next season. We know we need to work on that. But yeah, this is a final. If we can win the final, then it can be a positive end to a tough season Mark on on Mason mounts fitness, which has been that the key element to his career at Manchester United It's but it's been the key factor in him not getting the run of games that that he needs in order to get fully up to To match fitness as he said is the fact that when Amerin was scouted by the club,

his record of keeping players fit was actually one of the key things that they looked at? Yeah, but he has to get them fit first. And a lot of the United players haven't been in that situation. So he's having to manage, certainly people like Mason Mert and Luke Shaw, I know, and Lenny Yoro,

they've had to manage really well. And Amerin made the point a few times during the winter that certain players weren't playing because he had to basically manage their minutes so they could see the season out and that's definitely paid off with Mason Mo because I think even even now I don't think he's I don't think he's actually at his very fittest, obviously I don't think he's played a full 90 minutes so if he hasn't maybe just the one but when he does play when he comes on he adds

quality and he adds tenacity and I think you can really see that he's a top player that United really missed his ability and I think when they signed him the question was where does he fit in because obviously you've got Bruno Fernandes, you've got Mason Mount, where do they both play? But I think Mason Mount is probably the biggest dilemma that Amritsar have got going into this final because I think we've all seen in recent weeks that Rasmus Haaland has really, really struggled and he was really poor against Chelsea on Fridays that is the centre forward. And I think the one issue that, well there's got many issues that Rasmus Hoeland struggles with, putting the ball on the net being one of them, but physically he's a big lad but he's not very

physical and in terms of up against Mickey van der Veen and Romero I think I don't see what Hoeland will offer. Mason Mount on the other hand as a false nine might give United a bit more of a different element that would enable Bruno Fernandes and Mount to play together. And I think Mount's energies, tenacity, his quality, his big game ability, you know, he played in the Champions League final with Chelsea, set up the goal that Kyle Havard scored the winning goal.

So he's been there and done it. I think the dilemma that Amriem has got is, do you start with Rasmus Haaland who is clearly struggling, or do you take him out and try Mason Mendes as a false nylon just to add a bit more dynamism to your team? There is a decision to be made and I remember, it's not that we're trying to make you speak for all Danish players here and fly the flag, but I remember speaking to you when Hoiland was first signed for Manchester United and you said, look, you were adamant that we had to caution that this was all about potential for Hoyland, that he didn't come

in as the finished product. Why do you think that, or do you think he has been developing? Because it doesn't look that way. No, I think he's been stopped in his development by the way the team plays. He never crossed a ball to him. He never has an easy tap in. Well, he did actually in the semi-final. He had an easy tap in for the third goal just top of my head. I can remember Bruno crossing it for another one early on the seed. That's a number nine. You need to have that. The thing about him and where his importance in the team is that he wears defenders down. Yeah, the ball might not stick with him, but he chases everything. He tries everything. He fights for everything. And, you know, in

a game like, for instance, tomorrow, if you can have a player who does that, don't win the game in the first minute. You can win the game in the 80th minute. So you can have a player who does that, don't win the game in the first minute. You can win the game in the 80th minute. So you can have players like that. Garnaccio is another one who will wear players down because he dribbles and dribbles and he's quite good at dribbling. Sometimes nothing comes off it. But because he does that, he's tiring the other team. And then by, you know, 60, 70 or 80 minutes, you can put other

players in, like for instance, Mason Mound, who is not, you know, he's not fully match fit, but he's played bits and pieces and he's had an absolutely fantastic impact when he's come off the bench. You put those players in against more tired players, that can have an impact. And I think that's probably the reason that he puts the teams out the way he does. Sometimes it doesn't make sense. But when it comes to Rasmus, I still think that he can be the guy. I think obviously there are certain things that need to happen. Team needs to play it in a different way.

They need to use him and his qualities a lot more. Maybe, maybe, I don't know, maybe go away for six months, play somewhere, get some confidence, whatever. But I think he has got the potential. And I say this because I've seen it. I saw it when he first broke into the national team, Denmark. You lose your confidence. You don't lose your ability. So this is down to confidence and what I'm hoping for is that Rupert Namrubin can do the same with Rasmus Hoelun as he's done with Casemiro. You know, from somebody we didn't believe would play another minute, to somebody you absolutely wanted on the team.

That's my belief, that's a sign of a good coach. So hopefully he can do the same thing with Rasmus. I think the biggest problem Hoelun's had this season is the injury he picked up towards the end of preseason and the beginning of the season. I've been in that position before. When you miss parts of preseason, the start of the season, when you come back, you always feel like you're playing catch-up. You always feel like you're maybe a month behind everyone else. And it looks that way in the way he's playing. It looks like he's just a bit off it at the moment. I don't think it's the end for him. I think give him a good rest in the off season, give him a full pre-season

and we'll see the Highland that first came to United. Let's talk about Tottenham then because they're looking to win their first major trophy since 2007-2008. That was the League Cup. It was 17 years and 86 days before the Europa League final. But Spurs' last major European title was in 1984. Denner mentioned this earlier on, the UEFA Cup under Keith Berkinshaw. That was 41 years ago. Do you think, Andros, after Pallis and Newcastle have won the domestic trophies this season, is there more pressure, expectation on on spurs to deliver a piece of silverware?

I think probably the opposite, Kelly. I think there'll probably be a belief and they'll be saying if those guys can do it, why can't we do it? We look at Bologna and Italy and go ahead, Eagles, wherever they're from, they're broken droughts as well. So all these things will give those players a belief that it can be their day and it will be their day come tomorrow night. What is it that can give you confidence that could give Tottenham confidence going into this game against Manchester United? I think first and foremost the three games they've already played against United and how well they played in those games and how they controlled those games, especially in the last game at Spurs for the first half, they were all over United. United couldn't get five passes together, Spurs absolutely

dominated them. So I'm sure they'll be watching those clips again and identifying that that is where they can win the game. So they'll be going into this game with massive confidence. But when I look at possession stats in the semi-finals at Tottenham, actually the last quarter final and the semi-finals, in both home games for instance, they are 40% or less, whereas in nearly more than half of the games that Ansh played, it's more than 60%. Some 10 games at 70%. He's changed it a little bit for the... He's compromised a little bit on Ansh's ball.

Do you think that tomorrow that he's going to stick with what he's been successful at, or successful with in Europe, and not do what he did in the three games they've already played against Man United? I think that he will set them up the same way to be front foot aggressive high line, but sometimes the occasion and the game forces you into a lower block. Frankfurt, the one you mentioned, the Europa League game, that was the first time I've seen Spurs like abandon this high line, abandon the passing, abandon the high press. They were flat out Antonio Conte, low block, let's not concede. And I don't think that's And I think that's the

players realizing, oh, this is a massive game. This is our season right here. We, I can't be the one to make the mistake. And then slowly slowly, slowly everyone just retreats. And I fear that that might be the case tomorrow. The weight of the occasion might play in the Spurs' mind and each player individually will not want to make the mistake and then it will force them into something they're not used to doing and something they're not good at doing, which is being in a low block. What Spurs are good at doing is scoring goals, Mark, and that's where Manchester United have been weak defensively. Spurs should be backing themselves to score in this game. Yeah, I mean Spurs are fourth-partner with a positive goal difference, which kind of shows

you where the problems are. It kind of shows that there are weaknesses that you know you can exploit but they don't have the attacking quality to do so. But obviously the other end is Sp have got a great attacking prowess, which would worry United and I think you know, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison Come in mind's gone blank now, obviously Solanke as well, Son. There's four very capable forwards there Obviously they will miss Madison. Madison's a big loss and Kulisiewski is a huge loss as well but I do think that Spurs if they If they can get the forward service, they've got great chance because they I just think they can pull United apart I think you know I think Peter's right with what he said about Harry Maguire over over the show that he's been he's been a rock for United which not many

people have had a year ago but he can't do it on his own and I think if if it's an ended off starts that will be a problem for me because I don't think he's capable of stopping the likes of Solanke or Johnson. So it depends on the person now, but I think if Spurs have their best forwards playing, that gives them the edge. And Solanke's got a great record against Manchester United. He's scored in each of his last four appearances against them. And I'm just trying to build the jeopardy, Andros. It's a big game for Dominic Solanke and he has been a bright spot in what's been a difficult

season for Spurs. He has been and games like tomorrow is why he was brought. They spent big money on him for him to produce in moments like tomorrow. And like you said, he's been a bright spot for Spurs, scored a lot of goals but out of possession as well. He's so aggressive and the way that Andrzej wants to play him and Richarlison especially, they're so aggressive and the way that Andrzej wants to play him and Richarlison especially, they're so aggressive out of position. They give Spurs so many more chances because how high they press and how high they win

the ball back. So yeah, he's been a great signing for Spurs. I wonder on Son Heung-min and the performances that he's put in so far this season and there was a sense that he was coming to the end of his time. I wonder how much coming back from injury with the first half performance against Aston Villa last week, can give Spurs fans encouragement? He's not back at his absolute best, but is he back to being, or can he be back to being effective, Andros? I think Sun has always had the ability to be effective. I think at times this season

when I watched him play, he's played off the left and he's been detached from the front line. He's been too deep. He's been narrow. He hasn't been in the positions where Sun is effective, which is off the shoulder running in behind. And we've seen, even though he's 32,

we saw August Ashton-Rill, he's still got that turn of pace. He's still sharp. He's still got all the ingredients that Sun has always had, but for some reason this season it's not happened. And I think if Madison and Kulishevsky were fit, maybe he wouldn't start tomorrow night, but I think with them being injured, it's the perfect opportunity for him to play and show everyone what a good player he is again. Thank you to Peter, Andros and Mark. There will be

full match commentary of the Europa League final in Wednesday's Five Live Sport. We'll have reaction for you here on the Football Daily. Keep an eye out for a special episode of 72 Plus, previewing the play-off final as well. For now though, from us, thanks for listening. It's the scandal that rocked Rugby Union to its core. The so-called Bloodgate scandal. Tom Williams now receiving attention. It seems so clear that this wasn't real blood. It's out and out cheating.

This is a story of lies and deception, conspiracies and cover-ups. There was terror that it could tear the house down. Courtroom drama and secret deals. So obviously a lie. And a human cost that changed lives and careers forever. Dee Richards is found guilty and banned for three years. I'm Ross Kemp and this is Sports Strangers Crimes, Bloodgate. Listen on BBC Sounds.