United to face Spurs in Europa final

For Manchester United or Tottenham, a miserable campaign will end in Europa League glory.

Despite both teams languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, the Champions League is now just one game away.

That’s the reward on offer after the two troubled English clubs advanced to the final of Europe’s second-tier competition on Thursday.

United beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the semifinal second leg at Old Trafford and won 7-1 on aggregate. Tottenham won 2-0 away at Bodo/Glimt to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory.

It sets up an all-English Europa League final for the second time in six years after Chelsea beat Arsenal to lift the trophy in 2019. “If we don’t win the final, it means nothing for us,” United coach Ruben Amorim said. “It’s hard to describe what it’s like to be manager of this club. You want to give them (the fans) something, because we’ve been so disappointing in the Premier League.”

Chelsea will play Real Betis in the final of the UEFA Conference League. Chelsea advanced with a 5-1 on aggregate win against Djurgarden — winning the second leg 1-0. In the other semifinal, Betis drew 2-2 away at Fiorentina and won 4-3 on aggregate.

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