Europa League Final Against Manchester United on May 22 Morning
Tottenham Achieves Three Wins Over Manchester United This Season
Maddison, Kulusevski, and Others Unable to Play
GBP 103.51 million (approximately KRW 192,178,740,000) vs GBP 185.58 million (approximately KRW 344,551,540,000).
These are the total player salary figures for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United for the 2024-2025 season, who will face off in the UEFA Europa League final at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, at 4:00 a.m. (Korean time) on May 22. The two clubs rank 7th and 2nd, respectively, in total salary among English Premier League teams. However, as of May 20, with only the final Premier League match of the season remaining, both teams sit at 17th and 16th in the league standings, barely avoiding relegation. Both clubs are experiencing their worst seasons since the Premier League's inception in the 1992-1993 season. The Europa League final is a matter of pride for both sides.
For Tottenham captain Son Heungmin, this is his first attempt at winning a trophy. Son made his professional debut with Hamburg in the Bundesliga in 2010, moved to Leverkusen, and then joined Tottenham for the 2015-2016 season, but has yet to experience a championship victory.
This is his second challenge for a European title. Son reached the final of the UEFA Champions League, the highest tier of European club competition, in the 2018-2019 season, but suffered a 0-2 defeat to Liverpool. In the 2020-2021 season, he advanced to the final of the English Football League (EFL) Carabao Cup, only to be frustrated by a 0-1 loss to Manchester City.
Son Heungmin (right), captain of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, is contesting the ball with Noussair Mazraoui during the home match against Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, UK, on February 16 (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
Manchester United is a traditional powerhouse, having won the Champions League three times and sharing the record for most English Premier League titles (20) with Liverpool. Tottenham trails United in all-time head-to-head records. However, this season, Tottenham has beaten United in all three encounters. For the first time since the Premier League began, Tottenham achieved a "double" by winning both home and away league matches against United. Tottenham recorded a 3-0 away victory at Old Trafford in September last year and a 1-0 home win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February this year. In the EFL quarterfinals on December 20 last year, Tottenham edged United 4-3 in a high-scoring battle. At that time, with Tottenham leading 3-2, Son Heungmin converted a corner kick into a goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, contributing to the team's victory. United pulled one back in stoppage time, so without Son's goal, Tottenham's win could have slipped away. It was a crucial goal, and on May 16, it was selected as Tottenham fans' Goal of the Year.
Son Heungmin aims to carry these positive memories into the Europa League final.
However, a key variable is that several of Tottenham's main players this season, including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall, are unable to play in the final due to injuries.
There are claims that Tottenham's drop to 17th in the league this season, amid a string of player injuries, is due to manager Ange Postecoglou's tactics. Postecoglou favors an aggressive attacking style, emphasizing high pressing by forwards and pushing the defensive line up to pressure opponents. He also instructs fullbacks to quickly join the attack during counterattacks. This approach is physically demanding and, given Tottenham's lack of squad depth, is said to increase the risk of injuries. As a result, there is speculation that even if Tottenham wins the final, the club may dismiss Postecoglou.
Son Heungmin, the captain of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, is celebrating with his teammates after scoring the team's fourth goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, securing a 4-2 lead against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal match held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, UK, on December 19 last year (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
Son Heungmin has also struggled with injuries this season, appearing in only 30 league matches. This is his lowest appearance count since his debut EPL season in 2015-2016, when he played 28 games. His form has been inconsistent, and he has scored only seven league goals this season?the lowest total since his debut and making it virtually impossible to extend his streak of nine consecutive seasons with double-digit goals, which began in 2016-2017.
After injuring his foot in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals against Frankfurt on April 11, Son missed seven consecutive matches. He returned as a substitute in the league match against Crystal Palace on May 11 and started against Aston Villa on May 17, aiming to regain fitness ahead of the Europa League final. Son showcased his trademark speed with several sharp runs but did not register a goal or assist.
With injuries and a dip in form, Son has not displayed his usual attacking prowess this season, fueling speculation that Tottenham may part ways with him after 10 seasons of dedication. The final is therefore crucial for Son. At a media day event on May 12, he said, "This final feels like it could be my last chance, as if it may never come again."
Harry Kane, a product of the Tottenham youth system and Son's longtime teammate, transferred to Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich in August 2023 in pursuit of a title. He fulfilled his dream by winning the league this season. Son commented, "If Kane supports Tottenham with positive energy, I think we can also achieve a good result."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
