The Desperation Derby - Spurs vs Man Utd

 

D-Day is upon us. No, not that kind of D-Day. The desperation derby, this Wednesday.

This Wednesday night features two teams, who’ve both had wretched seasons in the league compete in a European final. No doubt, fans of opposing sides will be tuning in to “hate watch” either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur. Although, I would probably say this would be more of a “banter watch” if such thing were to exist. As the rest of the world will watch on in calmness, for both sets of supporters involved, a long night of angst and nerves await. This match has much more importance for those United or Spurs than just a Europa League final. What’s at stake? And, why does it mean so much?

What’s at stake?

Quite frankly, a lot. Pride is probably the first one word that comes to mind. These are two clubs who have completely prioritised the Europa League and in the process have destroyed their seasons. This is a unique match up between 16th Manchester United and 17th Tottenham Hotspur. For one of them to be in that position is embarrassing. For both of them, no words can really do that justice. They’re sandwiched between West Ham and Leicester and I think that sums it up. The very fact that these two sides have made it to the Europa League final is an achievement in itself. A unique opportunity to witness two sides in their worst versions go head to head for Europe’s 2nd biggest prize. Both of them have beaten some good European teams en route and found comfort on the Thursday night slot. Both have gone all in. Chips in the middle. Both want it. Both need it, but for different reasons.

Manchester United

For Manchester United, it’s a multitude of reasons. Fundamentally it’s a European trophy and despite their domestic dominance in my lifetime, triumphs in Europe have been few and far between, even Sir Alex’s Manchester United. Secondly, they’re Manchester United and a major trophy (which this is!) is a major trophy and despite their struggles in recent years, they’ve continued to pick up trophies. A League Cup in the season before last, an FA Cup last season and a Europa League this season is an impressive trophy haul when you consider the mood and atmosphere that’s surrounded the club in that time. How their counterparts would wish for one of those trophies.

The final is also a huge game for Ruben Amorim. Amorim has said on multiple occasions that a Europa League win does not make up for or excuse the Premier League form, however the perception on what’s been a difficult start to his tenure is different if he could hold up a Europa League trophy for his efforts. Let’s make no bones about it, he’s inherited a mammoth job and it’s not to say he’s not been blameless since coming in, however, a Europa League win would give somewhat of a platform to build on. Perhaps in comparison to his counterpart in Ange Postecoglou, Amorim winning the Europa League with United would feel like the start of something. What that something is, we don’t know.

Finally, and sadly, there’s always an economic angle to anything in modern football. It’s well documented that Man United are facing an uphill battle in refreshing the squad. With little PSR wiggle room, a Europa League win would ensure Champions League football at Old Trafford next season and simply qualifying for the league phase would bring in £80million to £100million. This would provide much needed additional capital when you consider that if United did no business this summer, they would still have to pay around £89million out in outstanding transfer fee instalments. United’s squad is in need for, as Ralph Rangnick famously described, “open heart surgery” and not having this extra cash to hand would be severely detrimental to their squad rejuvenation plans. This is, of course, the issue when you dispense with one manager who plays a 4-3-3 and bring in another one who is devoted to a 3-4-3.

Spurs

Spurs. The why? They’re utterly desperate for a trophy. Their last trophy was a League Cup in 2008, stretching back 17 years ago and their last European trophy was the UEFA Cup back in 1984. The team that can’t get over the line, that famously finished third in a two horse race with Leicester in 2016, that always loses in finals. Jamie Carragher recently said “there’s no way Tottenham beat Manchester United in European final” and that summarises the perception of Spurs. Nice to watch, nice on the eye, nice to play against in any game that means something. Spurs are desperate to change the narrative. They can take inspiration from Newcastle and Crystal Palace this season in their cup wins. Both teams were desperate to win. Both teams played a juggernaut. And, both teams were victorious. Whilst football is never as simple as “they just wanted it more”, it would be easy to analyse those two games and agree that both teams looked like it just meant more to them. I’ve no doubt that Spurs do want it more than United, even if by 1%, and they have to lean into that energy tomorrow night. Spurs, like United, have saved their better performances for Europe and their 1-0 win away in Frankfurt was notable on the very basis it was remarkably sensible. A word that’s not often used to describe this Spurs team.

For their head-coach, Ange Postecoglou, I would suggest that tomorrow means a hell of a lot to him. Mocked all season for his remarks at the start of this season “I always win something in my second season”, Postecoglou has a golden chance to shove that down his doubters throats. And hey, he acknowledges that this season has been far from good enough from Spurs, but some of the personal criticism he’s received has been unwarranted. Whilst being at Spurs, Postecoglou has attempted to distance himself from being sucked into the “Spursy” mindset, by reminding everyone else that he is a winner and he’ll be trying all he can to drag his Spurs team to trophies. He’s been no different to previous managers in Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho in that regard. All three are winners (to different degrees), and all three have won trophies elsewhere, and it’s Spurs that have had nothing to show for their efforts. Maybe we can’t forgive him for the way his Spurs team concede goals and often capitulate in games. Maybe the league position and points tally is unforgivable. But forgive him for setting his stall out as a winner in a club that doesn’t win. If he is to leave his tenure this summer, there would be no better send off than to write his name into Spurs folklore by winning the Europa League and qualifying them for the Champions League. Job done, mate!

 

For both teams, defeat would mean a disaster. Victory, and all might be forgiven. For United, it’s another big trophy to win, guaranteeing them a seat at Europe’s top table next season and a shedload of extra cash that they frankly don’t deserve. For Spurs, it’s everything in its purest sense. A trophy to hold and to cherish. A piece of silverware for the cabinet. Any other benefits are secondary.

 

A prediction? Two teams, two managers, two sets of fans watching a game that's on a knife edge.