Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League final by smashing Athletic Bilbao, with the Red Devils now looking to win their first European title since 2017
Paul Scholes has backed Manchester United to win the Europa League as he attempted to compare the club’s success in European competition to that of Real Madrid. United have won six European titles in their history.
That includes the European Cup – now rebranded as the Champions League – on three occasions, the European Cup Winners’ Cup once, the Europa League in 2017 and the European Super Cup in 1991.
By contrast Madrid have 23 European titles to their name as the most successful club on the continent. Los Blancos have won the Europe’s ultimate club prize an unrivalled 15 times, along with two UEFA Cups and six European Super Cups.
But Scholes believes that the duo are alike in the fact that both can win big games in Europe even when they are not playing well. United have endured a dreadful campaign outside of the Europa League this season.
They have still managed to reach the final of that competition though and will now face Tottenham in Bilbao at the end of the month. And Scholes has backed the Red Devils to go on and beat Spurs.
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“History tells me United have a great chance. We know Tottenham have beaten them three times and Tottenham will think they right a chance. For some reason, the history of this club is almost like Real Madrid at times,” he told TNT Sports.
“When they aren’t playing that well they can still go on and win European cups. I just feel the odds are slightly in Manchester United’s favour. Although I do think Tottenham are a good side.”
United booked their place in the final by thrashing Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals. But they will now come up against a Spurs side who have beaten them three times already this season, with Ruben Amorim admitting his side face a difficult test.
“It’s the least we can do for these fans, for all the support that they gave us in this tough season. But I’m stressed already because of the final, because if you don’t win it, in the end, it’s nothing. So, we are happy to be there. Let’s see,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a really good game. A little bit emotional because both teams are struggling a lot in the Premier League and want to win something. Two teams who play in the same league and know each other.
“It means a lot, not just to us but also for Tottenham. It means a lot, not just for me but also for Ange [Postecoglou], after this season. It’s a massive game and I know it’s going to be tough for the people in Bilbao because they wanted to play in the final at home.
“For all of our squad, it’s really important to give something to our fans this season. First of all, if you in the odds, it’s hard for a club to lose four times in a row, so we can’t think in that way. I think we have to have a full squad, that is really important.
“In the moments, I’m just worried about the next game, to try to manage everything, not to get injuries for the final. But again, we need to win it. If we don’t win it, it’s nothing, it means nothing for us, so let’s see.”
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