Tottenham vs Man United LIVE: Europa League final build-up and updates as kick-off nears in Bilbao

Peter Schmeichel also spoke about struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund and explained how the Manchester United forward can hurt Tottenham tonight.

He said: “Rasmus Hojlund has been stuck in his development with the way his team plays.

“They never cross the ball to him and as a number nine you need to have that. He wears defenders down – the ball might not stick with him, but he chases everything.

“With Rasmus, I still think he can be the guy. I think there’s certain things that need to happen, the team needs to play in a different way, but I think he has got the potential.”

It is rare that a final arrives with such a sense of trepidation, but that is the case as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fight for the Europa League trophy this week in Bilbao.

Both sides arrive in the Basque Country needing a win just as much for financial and squad-building reasons as they do for morale, and for Manchester United especially it is a stark illustration of how far the club has fallen since the days of regularly challenging for the top honours.

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Ex-Spurs star Andros Townsend says that Dominic Solanke can have a big impact tonight and that big games like this one are the reason why Tottenham signed the striker.

“Games like today are why Dominic Solanke was bought,” Townsend claimed.

“Tottenham paid big money for him to produce in big moments. He has scored a lot of goals, and out of possession he is so aggressive.

“He has been a great signing for Spurs.”

Rio Ferdinand gave his thoughts on the game when speaking to BBC Radio 4 earlier today.

The former Man Utd captain said: “None of those players have really won a trophy for United or a European trophy at least, so it’s difficult to see how much influence history has.

“It’s all in how the manager positions it. I think if he gives it a little bit of that nostalgia in the team talk and the expectations of the fans, and balances it in the right way, then they will have a good chance.

“They have players who can win them a game, and talented attacking players who can hopefully be game winners.”

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has praised Harry Maguire in the build-up to tonight’s final and labelled him the best defender in Ruben Amorim’s squad.

“A bit more than a year ago Harry Maguire was told by the then coach [Erik ten Hag] that he was in the firing line,” Schmeichel said.

“For me, he’s been the best defender in the squad. He might not be the quickest player on the planet, but he’s clever.

“When you’re a goalkeeper playing behind him it makes your job easier because you don’t have to worry about what he is doing.”

“I know that in this kind of club, also in Tottenham, but especially Manchester United, it’s strange, because you have some coaches that loses some games and they are sacked,” he said.

“I think people see what we are trying to do. I think people see that sometimes I’m thinking more (about) the club than myself.

“People understand, especially the board, that we have a lot of issues. I will try to prove myself to the fans, to the board.”

“I don’t think my job is done here,” Postecoglou said.

“I really feel like we are building something. And what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate this. I still think there’s a lot of work to be done.

“That’s quite obvious with the challenges that we’ve had this year. But also, there’s been some growth that I would like to see through. I’m far from thinking that this job is finished.”

Bilbao braces for the expected influx of more than 50,000 English football fans as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United prepare to square off in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Spanish authorities have fortified Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, located in the city centre, with a three-metre high fence and stringent security measures.

The municipal services in Bilbao, including mobility, cleaning, and security, have been significantly disrupted due to the extensive plans set in place to ensure the event proceeds in an orderly and secure manner, as stated by Bilbao’s City Council. This has led to locals having to adjust their regular routines.

More than 3,000 police officers will be deployed in the city and will oversee three security rings around the stadium, restricting access only to ticket holders and local residents starting on Wednesday morning.

Additionally, fan zones equipped with giant screens, amusement activities, and more than 60,000 litres of beer have been set up outside the city centre to attract fans without match tickets away from the security perimeter.

Each fanbase was allocated almost 15,000 match tickets, with the remainder given to UEFA sponsors or already secured by neutrals, as the two struggling clubs battle for the title that will qualify one of them for next season’s Champions League.

To minimise the risk of confrontations, the two sets of fans will be kept in separate areas, 2.5km apart, before kickoff.