The final is here!

On my last text, I’ve delved into both teams individual players and qualities – leaving space for you to decide who’s best.

You can find it here – https://tactictalks.org/2025/05/12/man-united-what-to-expect-in-the-final/

However, once that point is now made clear, it’s also important to understand the moments, the psychological aspect of this Game.

On one side, even if we were to consider that both teams are in similar positions – Tottenham is 17th at The Premier League and Manchester United is 16th – I tend to disagree with this premise.

Why?

Well, to start, Tottenham Hotspur is going on their 2nd Season under Ange Postecoglou, where they were 5th at The Premier League last year, that gave them access to Europa League in the first place, and was the 2nd best overall final position at the table in the recent years. 

Actually, since 2019/2020 Season, the Club has been navigating between 8th and 4th with Antonio Conte.

After that initial year, Ange was brave with his statement “I always win a trophy on my 2nd Season” and is headed to keep his word.

Manchester United is in a different position, starting by the greatness of the Club.

That creates a level of expectations and resilience that is naturally different.

However, the recent past (almost turning into a consistent past, as it’s now for more than a decade) has been tumultuous.

When we analyze the same timeline (since Season 2019/2020) team has navigated between 2nd and 8th in the Premier League, however.

Therefore, coming back to the expectations attached with the greatness of the Club, we can’t deny that United’s fans hope for trophies every Season, whereas for Tottenham’s supporters that is somehow a more distant perspective.

Secondly, the future looks tremendously different.

Ange Postecoglou is ending his 2nd Season at the Club, and may be facing a decisive step at this Game where a win can mean to continue with the team, but a loss (merged with a less successful Season) may lead to a bitter decision from the board.

Ruben Amorim, on the other hand, that is not necessarily at a more stable position, but that is due to the dimension of Manchester United and, again, the expectations surrounding the Club.

We know that Football doesn’t allow much room for patience and time.

However, with just over 6 months at the Club, there’s definitely a sense that the team and the Club needs to support the Coach, regardless the result from this match.

Therefore, we can assume that the feeling at each team is different.

Even if we think that both teams are at the same level, it’s not necessarily the same.

One team is playing a decisive card after one Season that got seriously worst than the one before, whereas the other is still adapting to a different style, with a Coach that had almost none interference in the process of players selection and with a clear gap between the expectations around the Club and the quality of the squad.

Additionally, we can even see that from the most recent Communications timing – United’s signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves is a clear evidence that the focus is obviously on the final, but the future is right across the corner and the Club wants to show they are preparing it.

Whereas, from Tottenham, the only buzz is on the potential candidates to replace Ange…

To finalize, in Portugal, Ruben Amorim always enjoyed the luck factor on his side – with several wins in the last minutes and epic comebacks. 

Something he’s carried with him, somehow, to United.

That “lucky star factor” as we call it in Portugal.

Will he be able to use that in his advantage again tomorrow?

Let’s wait and see.

Good luck to both teams and may the best to win the trophy!
Hopefully, another trophy for a Portuguese Coach!

What’s your opinion on the Final?
Who is in a better position to claim victory?

Let me know your opinion in the comments!