However, there is no chance that a Manchester United-Tottenham final could be moved to an English venue, with Bilbao’s San Mames stadium awarded the rights to host the Europa League final way back in 2021, the same year that Uefa decided the Basque city would host the 2024 Women’s Champions League final.

UEFA will not change the venue for the Europa League final even if Manchester United and Tottenham both qualify. The San Mames is scheduled to host the final and Athletic Bilbao had haboured dreams of winning the trophy on home soil.

For all their awful domestic form, both clubs' financial clout and the Premier League's depth always gave them a chance in Europe