Manchester United

Speaking on The Football News Show, former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown says he would not start Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund in the Europa League final.

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Earlier, we asked you to name the current Manchester United player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Harry Maguire.

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Manchester United are set to take on Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao in the Europa League final.

A European trophy could redeem what has been a forgettable domestic season for the club.

So, what are your plans?

Have you booked hotels and flights and how are you getting there?

Tell us your travel plans for the final

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against West Ham (kick-off 14:15 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said his key players "will play" between now and the Europa League final but will "protect the players that can get an injury" by rotating his squad.

• He added: "It's better to play than to stay out."

• On being more careful in training to prevent injuries: "I don't have that in me. I will always push forward, but of course I will try to manage everything. They don't need a lot of load now, so the training [sessions] are going to be soft in that department. They will push each other."

• In response to the criticism of his approach in Premier League matches: "We are trying to do our best but I agree we can do better. I don't have anything to say about the criticism, because we deserve it. If we cannot accept everything in this kind of season, I think we are in the wrong business. I fully acknowledge that and I agree with all the critics."

• More on comments by former United captain Roy Keane on his side's record: "We have to take the risk to get a lot of criticism from everybody, because the standards of Roy Keane and all these guys are really high. But I have to make a choice. What is best for the club, not what is best for me. I make a choice. In this moment I'm going to save and try to save all the players, because it's really important for us to win the final."

• Going into Sunday's game he said they "have to use every game to improve and prepare for the final, but especially to prepare for the future" as "we cannot save nothing from the Premier League".

• The senior players will be on the post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong, with Amorim adding it "is a good thing" for the club as they "are trying to build something as a family" and the more time they get together the better.

Listen to live coverage of Man Utd vs West Ham on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra from 14:15 on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United do perform better in Europe.

In the Premier League, both United and Tottenham have massively lacked consistency but have been able to do it in Europe. If you look at the tournament, United knocked out two Spanish sides and one French side.

It is a 'get out of jail free' card for both teams. It allows whoever wins the Europa League to say "it was a terrible season but we escaped, we have a place in the Champions League and it gives us some money".

I think the trophy is big for Ruben Amorim because it will offer a little bit of belief in his methods. The financial side of being in the Champions League would also open doors for Manchester United.

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We asked you to tell us how you are getting to Bilbao for Manchester United's Europa League final against Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Daniel: We're driving! Manchester - Lincoln - Dover - Calais- La Rochelle - Mundaka - Bilbao. We have hotels booked but taking a tent in the back of the car just in case.

Andrew: Man Utd fan living near Blackpool. Flying to Malaga, nine-hour train up to Bilbao on Tuesday 20th, reverse journey early Thursday am, home late Thursday 22nd.

Allan: My sons booked flights and accommodation before we played Bilbao and they are taking their 76-year-old dad with them. We have a stopover in Milan for two hours on the flight there.

Bryan: Bilbao was amazing for the semi with the Athletic fans - one of the most passionate and friendly we've met on our Euro away travels. Will be hard to replicate that atmosphere for the final but we'll try. I've booked up a trip for 25 of us to Bordeaux that'll be our base and we'll be heading in by road from there!

Rick: If I did get a ticket for the Europa League final, I wouldn't go because of the rip-off prices on all the options. A day trip by plane £800 from Manchester, if you wanted to stay a night, hotels are charging over £2,000. If you went by ferry from Plymouth, that's nearly £800 plus a hotel for a couple of nights. I will stay at home and watch the game on TV, with a bottle of wine, way cheaper....

Tell us your travel plans here

Speaking to The Football News Show, Stretford Paddock's Jay Motty says the returns of Amad Diallo and Mason Mount from injury will build Manchester United's confidence for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur later this month.

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Manchester United have booked their trip to the Europa League final in Bilbao after beating Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate.

Even though the domestic form has been poor, they now have a chance to secure a European trophy and qualify for next season's Champions League.

So what are your plans?

Have you started scouting hotels and checking flights?

Or were you so confident you've had the trip booked for weeks?

Tell us your travel plans for the final

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We asked for your views on Manchester United's Europa League semi-final second leg win over Athletic Bilbao.

Here are some of your comments:

David: So pleased for Mason Mount. Great to see a smile on his face after all the injury misery.

Zamani: United started the game poorly, but were very effective in the second half thanks to Amorim's superb substitutions. They will need a better performance against Spurs to stand any chance.

Paul: For 71 minutes, the Sunday league team I played for made fewer mistakes and were better! For the final 20 minutes though, United played like Barcelona!

Simon: So pedestrian from United from the start. Sat back, passed sideways and backwards and just invited pressure. If Athletic had had their three best attackers fit, the nightmare scenario could have unfolded. Thankfully, the subs changed the tempo and on we go.

Adz: I am absolutely stunned at the difference a couple of substitutions can make. This game showed it - Amad Diallo and Mount were fantastic. Amad was the engine United needed and lifted everyone in the squad. Hopefully, they will start in the final.

Mohbeen: A lot of fans have rightly been critical of this squad, but you have to admire Amorim sticking to his philosophy. He's had very little time to work with the squad and the injuries haven't helped. You can see what he's trying to do and the massive hug from Casemiro after coming off shows the squad believe in him. He just needs the Europa League win and a few pivotal additions in the summer and this team will surprise next season.

Guess the current Manchester United player from these three clues:

• I became the world's most expensive player in my position when United signed me.

• I started the Euro 2020 final.

• I scored a controversial winning goal against my former club in an FA Cup tie in February.

Come back to this page at 17:00 BST for the answer

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Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones is confident Mason Mount can play a big part in Ruben Amorim's side going forward.

The 26-year-old's time at United has been blighted with injuries but his first two goals under the Old Trafford lights on Thursday were a glimpse of what fans can look forward to.

"I am delighted for him," Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "It is always difficult when you are out for a lengthy spell because all you want to do is play football.

"He works extremely hard and he wants to prove himself to people at this football club.

"When you allow him to play wherever and be free, you get the best out of him. The energy he brings on to the pitch with his pressing, alongside his tracking back and sprinting, his all-around game is brilliant.

"He is a wonderful player and he has shown that for England along with a good goalscoring record on both his left and right foot.

"They have just got to keep him fit now and he has got to look after himself. There are not many games left so it is up to the manager to manage his minutes.

"Keeping Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Mount fit is absolutely vital."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter at Old Trafford

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The smile across Mason Mount's face as he took part in a walk of honour with the rest of his team-mates at the end of the game told its own story about the 26-year-old's stalled career.

An integral part of the England side that reached the final of Euro 2020, Mount's career has never got going following his move north from Chelsea in 2023.

Injury has followed injury and frustration has piled on frustration.

Yet United head coach Ruben Amorim has said on more than one occasion that Mount could be just the right man to fit his system, either in one of the two advanced attacking roles or in midfield.

Others have been more sceptical and even on this latest comeback, which began five weeks ago, there have been precious few signs of the talent of old.

How much of a weight is lifted off Mount's shoulders with his double effort remains to be seen.

But both finishes underlined an inherent confidence that has been retained despite all the doubts repeated setbacks bring.

Mount can only hope it marks a screeching U-turn on what has gone before.

Image source, Daily Express and Mail

"It's a full English in the Europa League final," jokes the Daily Express back page after both Manchester United and Tottenham thrashed their semi-final opponents over two legs.

Spurs are bidding to end a 41-year wait for European success and a first trophy of any kind in 17 years, while United know a win would secure their second European trophy in eight years.

All eyes are now on Wednesday, 21 May.

Image source, Guardian / Telegraph

Borussia Dortmund have joined the race for Sunderland's 19-year-old English midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who has also been scouted by Manchester United. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, 27, who is on loan at Aston Villa, is eyeing a move to Barcelona this summer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Neither Tottenham or Manchester United's squads are "ready" for Champions League football, says former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The two clubs will play out an all-English Europa League final on 21 May in Bilbao, with the winner securing a place in the Champions League next season.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Robinson said: "Before the game, I said that both of these squads aren't ready for the Champions League. Both need the Champions League and the influx of money that it brings and they'll have to recruit heavily in the summer to compete at the top end of the competition.

"A club of the size and stature of Manchester United and the recent history of where they've been and where they're trying to get to, Champions League was part of their staple diet and it hasn't been for a number of years, regularly guaranteed and especially now with the change of manager and where they are this season.

"For Tottenham, the immediate silverware and the influx of money it brings and some kind of stability is important, and United just being associated with that competition once again."

Ex-United defender Phil Jones added: "I know people talk about how Manchester United has lost its attraction for players but it'll never lose that because it's the biggest club in the world.

"It's a bit disrespectful to say it's bigger for one club or the other but I do think, for United to get back in the Champions League, it's a huge step in the right direction.

"The league form has been nowhere near what's expected this season but it gives them a platform to try and implement something better next season and try and attract higher calibre players.

"You can't call it. It's a massive game for both clubs. I'm not sure, if Spurs do or don't win the final, Ange Postecoglou will be in charge next season. I think they've already made their mind up."

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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season. I'm stressed already because of the final. If we don't do it, it means nothing, but we're happy to be there so let's see.

"I know I should be a better manager and the team should be better at this moment but we're trying. We did quite well in Europe but we are struggling in the Premier League."

On two-goal Mason Mount: "I'm so happy for him. He is such a player. He works really hard, he has quality. I really like Kobbie Mainoo, just 10 minutes but everything he did was really good and sometimes you're on the bench and can change the game.

"When you see that kind of guy like Mason working hard every day, eating well, having ice baths, when you have this kind of player you just want to help him. He is perfect for this position as he can be a midfielder, but also runs like a winger so I'm really happy for him.

"When you have a full squad you can think about the game. Sometimes we're surviving with people in different positions, but with more options you can change the game and push forwards and these things can help you win games."

On fitness and upcoming games: "I'm just worried about the next game, trying to not get any injuries for the final. If we don't win the final, it means nothing for us.

"We have to have a full squad [against Tottenham], stay in the game and have a bit of luck and we have to be clinical.

"It's quite similar for me and Ange [Postecoglou]. It is a tough moment [for us both] and one of us is going to win. It's going to be a big final and we will try to win.

"It's hard to describe what it's like to be manager of this club and you want to give them [the fans] something because we were so disappointing in the Premier League. We want to give something to the fans."