Ex-Man Utd players back Reds to beat Spurs in Europa League final with Keane giving key factor

As Manchester United prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in tonight’s Europa League final in Bilbao, some of the biggest names in football are divided on who will come out on top — with opinions split down the middle between passion, form, and firepower.

On the United side, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Paul Scholes have publicly backed their former club to get the job done, citing cup final experience and the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes as key factors.

“United know how to win trophies — they’ve been here before,” said Keane on Sky Sports. “If Bruno steps up, they’ve got enough to edge it.”

Scholes added that individual moments of quality — from players like Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho, or Kobbie Mainoo — could decide a final that might be cagey at times.

“This won’t be about flair — it’ll be about taking that one big chance,” Scholes said. “There will be mistakes, nerves. The team that handles that better wins.”

But others, including Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Joe Cole, believe Tottenham may finally lift a major trophy, especially with Son Heung-min leading the line and United’s defence ravaged by injuries.

“Spurs are due a big night,” said Shearer. “They’ve got pace, movement, and a bit more structure than United right now.”

Teddy Sheringham, who played for both clubs, wouldn’t pick a winner — but predicted a thrilling, goal-filled contest: “4–3 either way, but someone will win this in extra time,” he said on TalkSPORT.

Statistically, the match could hardly be closer. Opta’s supercomputer simulation ran 10,000 outcomes and gave Tottenham a 50.3% chance of victory, with United at 49.7% — proof that this final is on a knife edge.

The stakes are massive. Champions League football, £100 million in revenue, and a chance to rescue disappointing domestic campaigns. And as the pundits have made clear, this one could go either way — and very likely down to the wire.