Despite both sides struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table, they now stand just one match away from Champions League qualification — the prize awaiting the Europa League winners.

The two underperforming English clubs booked their spots in the final of Europe's secondary competition on Thursday. Manchester United cruised to a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford in the semifinal second leg, completing a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory. Tottenham secured their place with a 2-0 away win against Bodø/Glimt, progressing 5-1 on aggregate.

This sets the stage for another all-English Europa League final — the first since Chelsea defeated Arsenal in 2019 to claim the trophy.

“If we don’t win the final, it means nothing for us,” said United manager Ruben Amorim. “Managing this club is difficult to put into words. Our fans deserve something, especially after such a disappointing league season.”

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In their comeback win over Bilbao, United overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit with Mason Mount scoring twice after coming on as a substitute. Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund also found the net.

Tottenham's goals in Norway came courtesy of Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro, ensuring a comfortable progression to the final.

The final is in Bilbao on May 21.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Spurs defender Micky van de Ven said. “We’ve had a tough season, but we’re one game away from winning silverware.”

A major title, alone, would be enough to salvage what has otherwise been a season to forget for both United and Spurs. But the added prize of a place in the lucrative Champions League would put the winner back among Europe’s elite next term.

That hasn’t looked likely for either team for most of the campaign as they have languished closer to the relegation zone than the top five.

United is 15th in the standings having lost a club record 16 games in the Premier League. It is also certain to record its worst-ever points total in the modern era, as well as its lowest finish.

For Tottenham, it’s even worse — sitting one place below United after a club record-equaling 19 losses in the Premier League.

Now, one of those teams has the chance to effectively erase their woeful domestic form by winning the final, which will be the fourth time they have faced each other this season.

Spurs won all three of the previous encounters — twice in the league and also in the English League Cup.

“We are struggling, both of us, so I don’t know what is going to happen,” Amorim said. “That is a good thing and a bad thing with this team. I never know.”

Mount double

United’s two-legged victory over Bilbao defied its performances for most of the season, which saw former coach Erik ten Hag fired in October and his replacement, Amorim, oversee 12 losses in 24 league games.

Bilbao, fourth in the Spanish league, trailed 3-0 from the first leg but mounted a fightback through Mikel Jauregizar’s curling long-range shot in the 31st minute at Old Trafford.

There were signs of nerves in United’s play as the visitors applied more pressure, but the introduction of Mount in the 62nd turned the game. He spun and curled a low shot past Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala 10 minutes after coming on.

Casemiro headed United in front in the 79th and Hojlund scored from close range in the 85th.

Mount got his second when he spotted Agirrezabala off his line in the first minute of stoppage time and fired home from near the halfway line.

It is United’s third Europa League final in eight years, having won the competition in 2017.

United won the FA Cup last year and the League Cup in 2023 and this would be a third trophy-winning season in a row.

It would also be Amorim’s first for the club after winning two Portuguese league titles with Sporting Lisbon. He described it as “massive.”

“For me it’s the most important because it’s the next one,” he said.