Stray Meerkats: El Clownico
Welcome to the very first Stray Meerkat! I thought I’d start with a dive into one of the 24/25 football season’s most unusual situations: the upcoming Europa League Final, disputed between two English clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. This is the most unlikely of finals, and it will grant the winning team a berth at Europe’s top table next season, namely entry into the Champions League. This contest has been dubbed ‘El Clownico’ (well, that’s the nice version), because of the remarkable performances – or lack thereof – from both Man Utd and Spurs.
At the time of writing this, there are still two games to play in the Premier League season, but most of the key battles have already been decided. Liverpool have soared to the title, all three promoted sides (Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester) have been relegated with several games to spare, and all that remains to settle is who qualifies for the Champions League next season. The battle to fill the four remaining spots via league qualification is going down to the wire, but winning the Europa League (the ‘second-tier’ of European club competition) will see the victors join the top five clubs (unless they happen to already be in the top five). Neither Spurs nor Man Utd are anywhere close to the top five. Let’s take a deep dive into this strangest, and perhaps most undeserved, of Champions League opportunity.
Spurs
Managed by Australian Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur have had an awful Premier League campaign. Whilst they could yet rise to the dizzy heights of 13th, they are currently 17th, which in a different season, with two games to go, might see them mired in a relegation battle. It is a far cry from the optimism that followed his arrival to Spurs in July 2023, which initially saw his side play bold, attacking football, and pick up some excellent results. However, this determined attacking approach, and possibly a fierce approach to training, has ended up causing more harm than good.
Results across the 24/25 season have been terrible. After 36 games, Spurs have suffered 20 defeats, including a 5-1 hammering at Liverpool, and a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, among many more. Postecoglou has had to contend with a lot of injuries, but his refusal to adapt his team’s style has played its part in the woeful results. Despite the lacklustre domestic campaign, Spurs could yet be in the Champions League next season, but standing in their way is a club in a similar boat.
Man Utd
The Liverpool fan in me would love to see Utd suffer even more than they already have, and what with most of my immediate family supporting Spurs, I have an extra incentive to hope for Utd to fail, but there can be no denying that Ruben Amorim has marshalled his side to much better European performances than anyone would have thought possible. Despite languishing in 16th in the Premier League, one place and one point above Spurs after 36 games, Utd have managed to fire themselves to within touching distance of European silverware, and a place in the Champions League.
For Utd, this is massive. They have missed out on dining at Europe’s top table on several occasions in recent years, and what with financial issues, and plenty of domestic woes on the pitch, they need this, rather desperately. It has been 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, following a sustained spell of league titles and the odd smattering of European glory, and in that time he’s watched as the legacy he built over a span of 27 years crumble. Utd haven’t even looked like winning the Premier League, whilst local rivals Manchester City have turned the town blue, and fierce enemies Liverpool have enjoyed something of a resurgence. Winning should be in the DNA of the Old Trafford club, yet aside from the occasional cup win, Utd are no longer viewed with fear, or respect.
This season has smashed the old image more so than the previous ones. Like Spurs, Utd might have found themselves in a relegation battle in a different season, and what sets Utd apart from Spurs is the history of success, sundered in such a short span of time. It is often suggested no club is too big to be relegated (you need only ask Newcastle and Leeds fans about that), but still, for a club with such a rich recent history, it is surely unfathomable, yet here we are, with Utd’s blushes spared only down to a trio of very poor sides.
As I said, Utd need this final, and they need to win. The financial boost is worth at least £100 million, which would be a big shot in the arm for any club. They need to try and restore a reputation which has dwindled, especially this season, where 17 defeats in 36 games represents a 50% loss rate. No one is scared of Utd anymore, and it shows in their performances and results. Champions League football might just reignite some respect.
Who Will Win?
It’s possible to answer that football will lose, regardless of who wins, but to address the question more seriously, let’s look at the head-to-head record between Spurs and Utd. The two sides have met three times this season, with Spurs winning each time. This includes a 3-0 away win, a 1-0 home win (both in the league), and a 4-3 home win in the EFL Cup. In terms of form over the past six league games, and bearing in mind there are two games to go, Tottenham are 17th, and Manchester United are 18th.
Based on this information, Spurs would seem most likely to triumph, though Utd have a better recent trophy record, winning the FA Cup last season, and the League (EFL) Cup the season before that. Spurs last won a trophy back in 2008.
In short, the odds would seemingly favour Spurs, but Utd keep pulling rabbits out of hats in Europe, and have more recent pedigree where winning cup finals is concerned. It will be a fascinating clash between two clubs that are both having a nightmare domestically, with curious and often inept tactics on display. El Clownico could be both intense and hilarious!
