Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return

Manchester United players visit the pitch ahead of their Europa League final match against Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, May 20, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 20 May 2025
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Man United gets boost ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham as 3 players return

  • All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes
  • Amorim said: “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game”

BILBAO, Spain: Manchester United will have a trio of players back from injury for the Europa League final against Tottenham, coach Ruben Amorim said Tuesday, with Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee all available to come off the bench.

All three players took part in training on Tuesday and could play at least a few minutes if needed.

“Very good for us,” Amorim said. “Of course, they are limited in the minutes for the game but they can help us win the game.”

Matthijs de Ligt will not be available but traveled to Bilbao to support his teammates. Lisandro Martinez is the only other first-team player not available as he remains out with a serious knee injury.

The return of Zirkzee was the biggest surprise as he had initially been ruled out for the season because of a hamstring injury he picked up in April.

“Me neither,” Amorim said when told nobody expected the forward’s return. “They recover quite well. They push, of course, and we have to respect the feeling of the player but we push a little bit, as they wanted to be part of the team. That is a very good sign.”

Dalot was nursing a calf injury since April, and Yoro had been out since earlier this month.

United have had a dismal season but are hoping to finish it with a European title. The club are in 16th place in the league standings after 18 defeats, their most in a single campaign since the Premier League began in 1992. They are also certain to register their worst-ever points total in that era, as well as their lowest finish.

Tottenham injuries
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou said midfielder Lucas Bergvall has not recovered from an ankle injury in time for the final. He was with the squad in Bilbao but won’t play.

Midfielder Pape Sarr will be available despite not finishing the league match against Aston Villa on Friday because of a back issue.

Tottenham are in 17th place in the Premier League, having lost 21 times — also a club record in the modern era. The Champions League runner-up in 2019, Tottenham are seeking their first trophy since the 2008 English League Cup.


Pakistan legend Akram hails ‘incredible’ Starc after Ashes heroics

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Pakistan legend Akram hails ‘incredible’ Starc after Ashes heroics

  • Australia’s Mitchell Starc surpassed Akram’s tally of 414 test wickets during Brisbane match against England
  • Akram says despite being 35, Starc can “go on and on” due to his passion for cricket and fiery pace bowling

KARACHI: Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram believes even more is to come from Australia’s “incredible” veteran Ashes wrecking ball Mitchell Starc.

Akram was reacting to Starc surpassing his tally of 414 wickets during the Brisbane Test against England on Thursday, becoming the leading left-arm pace bowler of all time.

“Congratulations to Starc on passing my tally of wickets,” Akram told AFP, saying that the 35-year-old’s passion and commitment helped set him apart.

“Starc has shown a great amount of dedication and focus in these times of too much cricket, having T20 leagues with big money coming your way.

“He did play T20 leagues but then decided to play more Tests and left the shorter format because he wanted to be remembered as one of the best in the world in the history of the game.

“Ten years down the line, if anyone decides to have an all-time Test team, then Starc will be named in that team for sure.”

Despite trumping Akram, Starc described the Pakistan great as the “pinnacle.”

“Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,” Starc said on Thursday.

Akram dismissed the debate over who is the greatest.

“It is difficult to compare both of us because we are from different eras,” he said. “People say that I played on placid tracks and he played on bouncy Aussie tracks, so that was different.

“But nowadays batters have a different mindset and they play aggressive shots even on good balls, so that makes wicket-taking a more difficult art.”

Akram said he believed Starc’s passion could take him further.

“He is 35 and his pace is still there and passion remains at its peak. He has been incredible as a fast bowler and is enjoying fast bowling, so can go on and on.”