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Daily Manchester United-158- United vs Spurs Europe League Final Preview
20 Plays1 month ago
Daily Manchester United - 158 – United vs Spurs Europe League Final Preview
Sam is joined by Tom and Toluwa as the boys look ahead to the Europe League final and make their final predictions!
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Transcript
Introduction to GSPN Daily Manchester United Podcast
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the GSPN Daily Manchester United podcast. I'm your host once again for this episode, Sam Brady.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined by Tom and Tolua here tonight. um Boys, it's it's the big one. It's ah it's a massive one tomorrow.
Preview of Europa League Final: Manchester United vs. Tottenham
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are, of course, alluding to the Europa League final against Tottenham over in Bilbao.
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a game that sort of withve we've been ah edging closer and closer to in the in the past couple of weeks as the Premier League season has been a dead rubber. We've all been looking looking forward or apprehensively towards this game.
Can Manchester United Outperform Tottenham?
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, I'll come to you first, my man. How are you feeling on the eve of of this game?
00:00:56
Tom Cairns
I'm not too nervous about it. I am confident we're going to get a strong performance out of it when it matters most. I think as we are like a moments type of club, nights like these are where we usually thrive in.
00:01:07
Tom Cairns
So I'm actually quite comfortable that we're going to get a really, really nice performance out of some of the players actually, and a lot of them. um I am hoping that some players like Rasmus Hoyland, who's not had a good season at all, actually does turn up and put in his best performance of the season um against Tottenham. I mean,
00:01:24
Tom Cairns
We've been to Bilbao before when we've faced Athletic Club. If we can do it again, if we put in a similar performance to what we did against them, then ah we should be home and dry. We could even be we could even be home and dry before half-time if we actually do turn up in the first half, where we've been lacking goals in that particular period of the match.
00:01:44
Tom Cairns
But that's kind of put to bed, really. And if we just turn up with the right attitude and with our going for it, capability, then we've got a good chance of coming away with the Europa League trophy back Old Trafford on Sunday.
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, hopefully.
Pressure on Manchester United: Financial and Recruitment Stakes
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully. i mean, both teams going through probably their worst ah time in both clubs' history. Obviously, Spurs having ah one of their worst seasons as well.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Toluwa, who is sort of the most pressure on tomorrow? Because it seems like it's massive for for both clubs.
00:02:19
Toluwa Famuyide
Yeah, I think, you know, it definitely leans towards United, I would say, just because of the prestige and all the things that are expected, the standards of the club. Obviously, Spurs want to win a trophy, get their first trophy since 08, but they're used to not winning trophies. They're used to trying to just compete to get Champions League football.
00:02:38
Toluwa Famuyide
And even when they get to finals, they're not really successful in finals. So, Of course, the Spurs fandom and the manager and the players will say, oh, it means more to us. But I think realistically for United, if we don't win, there's so many more problems, whether financially, whether for transfers trying to pull in players, attract new players.
00:02:57
Toluwa Famuyide
There's so many issues at hand for United if we don't get this win versus Spurs, who are a pretty well-run side. ah Daniel Levy's probably one of the more competent owners in the Premier League when it comes to finances, not so much what he can do to help the club on the pitch.
00:03:12
Toluwa Famuyide
So financially, we need this. I think in terms of signing our top targets, we need this. A lot of um reports are coming out that Yoko Ress is probably our most advanced target, but that all depends on if we win Europa League and make Champions League.
00:03:26
Toluwa Famuyide
And I feel like a lot of players are going to be like that. A lot of players going to say, well, if you guys don't make Champions League, then I'm not really sure I want to join your club this year. And that's going to really hinder us next season when we need it the most, when Emmerim needs new players to fit his style and identity. So I would say United needs this one more than Spurs. And I feel like, you know, you guys and many United fans will say we need this just for our sanity because I'm going to lose my mind if we don't win tomorrow.
Equal Standing: Manchester United and Tottenham's Struggles
00:03:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, i definitely share that in terms of, I actually, ah another factor that I can't actually remember United in recent history anyway, being in such a close 50-50 final.
00:04:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're either the favourites or the heavy underdogs. I think we, when we played Man City last year, I believe in the FA Cup, we were underdogs. and Going back to our last Europa League win under Mourinho against Ajax, we were the favourite.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this game, for me, why I think there's so much nervousness around the final and... and And the importance, ah as you mentioned there, to Lu is on ah on both sides and and and even more so potentially on United.
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But also it's because both clubs are so similar right now. They're in exactly the same pan position, not only basically in the league, but financially. And it definitely, i would say, impacts both clubs, and not just short term in the summer, but also could potentially impact both clubs and then in the next two or three years.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, the the boys will speak about it ah on on their episode, on on the Spurs episode. If you haven't checked that out, go check it out after our episode, of course. And they'll they'll speak where this result sort of lee leaves Ange. And I've heard maybe rumblings of no matter the result, Ange is
Impact on Managers' Futures: Ange vs. Almiron
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
gone anyway. And he's come out in defence of that.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where does this leave Almiron? Because obviously, I think the shared feeling around United fans is, He'll be he'll definitely be here at the end at the start of next season. But if things don't start to go well at at the start of the the next season, sure and if we don't win this game, surely that that leaves a lot of pressure on him.
00:05:39
Tom Cairns
There is a blessing in disguise, though, if we don't win it tomorrow. The blessing in disguise is the fact that we'd only end up playing once a week, and it allows Emery more time on the training ground to do what he needs to do, because I feel like he spent more time doing interviews for the media than has done in terms of hours on the training ground.
00:05:57
Tom Cairns
I think there was ah an article, I don't know how genuine this is, but apparently since he joined United in November, Ruben Emery has conducted it something like, or done like 500 interviews for the media, compared to how many,
00:06:10
Tom Cairns
the likes of Guardiola, Slott and Arteta have done combined. It's ridiculous. I wish the media would leave Amarim alone, but the problem is it's money-eited. So i think Amarim's just got to knuckle down and get on with it, really. He could just bring the trophy back to Old Trafford like Sir Lewis says it would help financially.
00:06:27
Tom Cairns
Whatever we have at the beginning of next season, it's not going to be a perfect squad. We'll do well to get five or six players in. What I'm happy about is that we've got some of our business done already,
00:06:38
Tom Cairns
with the potential signing of Matinjas Cunha. I think that's a really positive signing for United. It feels like a ah similar type of ah attacking midfield what we see from Xerxes, but I think Cunha would benefit more as the number nine compared to where would be in attacking midfield, because that's very much Bruno Fernandes' department, really.
00:06:58
Tom Cairns
So I'm happy that we've got Cunha. And there's a thing about Liam De Lappe, although Newcastle, I think, of joining the race to sign Liam De Lappe,
00:07:07
Tom Cairns
But with Jokeres, I'd love to have him, but I don't know exactly what he would bring. That would be my argument to arguments say that
00:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:17
Tom Cairns
So there are a number of things that United are doing right, but the problem is is you know what we've done this season, how many players would actually want to join United? Perhaps it's a good time for them to join United, because if they join United and they do well, they'll probably say, well, we played our part in making United better than where they were before we joined.
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and and and and I was just going to say two points I want to pick up from there.
00:07:35
Tom Cairns
Got
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
You said at the start about Almorin being interviewed a lot and and the media need to to lay off him potentially. And we may picked up on it when when he mentioned the these comments in the press. But what do you actually make of these comments about throughout the whole season about us being the worst Manchester United side in history? Yeah.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and sort of being so, so honest and so open. you think that sort of benefits him or, or do you think it sort of hinders him in the media?
00:08:10
Tom Cairns
If we were this poor, when the league is a lot tighter, sort of like in the 80s and the 90s, then I could understand why we would be the worst team. At this day and age now, were as far as where the club is at commercially and on the sporting front,
00:08:29
Tom Cairns
It doesn't exactly align to that because we know we've got all the leverage to make sure we are still a Premier League team. But if we end up, if we continue to hemorrhage cash and we continue to go into debt, which i think is more than a billion pounds in debt now since the Glazers joined back in 2005.
00:08:48
Tom Cairns
it That leverage can't stay forever. Something's got to give. On one hand, I can see why Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to save money in more ways than one, but the ways he's been doing it should not be the way to run a football club like Manchester United. It's too big of a company to have to just lay off staff to essentially keep the club going and keep the players that they've got there.
00:09:14
Tom Cairns
You've got to know for certain who's prepared to stick around and who's not. And the ones who are not prepared to stick around... e especially when United are not in Europe, if they if they don't win the Europa League, you've got to know for certain who's prepared to stick around and who isn't.
00:09:28
Tom Cairns
If those like Bruno Fernandes, for instance, who you have to say is one of those who wants to stay there, you keep him because he's your talisman right now. Ahmed will obviously want to stay because he wants United to succeed.
00:09:39
Tom Cairns
But for those who are there for the wages, Casemiro, he had a really shocking start to the season and people questioned about his ability that he had passed it.
00:09:51
Tom Cairns
You've got to look at players like Marcus Rashford and Anthony. Those are two in particular that Amarin has to sort out in the summer. I kind of just want them to move on because I don't want them sort of going out on loan again and then people raising the question, oh, they're doing so well now.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:10:05
Tom Cairns
You know, Man Utd is the problem. But... If Money Wise is the problem for them, then I think both Rashford and NNC are best to just move on because they've been at the club long enough to know whether they fit in Amarind's system or not. And if they don't fit number in Amarind's system, then what's the point in keeping them there?
Ammarin's Leadership and Club's Financial Decisions
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it's going to be a ah busy summer, ah whether we win or lose, depending on the outgoings or in-goings. Toluwa, just quickly before we move on to part two, Tom mentioned something there that was really interesting about Jim Radcliffe.
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just want to touch on all the noise about Ammarin potentially paying out of his own pocket for the staff to come to the games and the players not ah having ah a celebration team bus after if we do win and having maybe a barbecue at at the training ground, do you and what impact will that have on on the game tomorrow and on the players and and coach?
00:11:02
Toluwa Famuyide
Well, first I say really commendable act by Amirim. Shouldn't have to do that in the first place. And just like Tom said, it's just not a good look for a club of our size to be cutting corners in an effort to, like he keep players here or pay their wages. You know, it's it's very embarrassing.
00:11:19
Toluwa Famuyide
um I don't think the players will put that too much on their focus for tomorrow. I think all they're worried about tomorrow is coming back to Manchester with the Europa League. If they don't, then they know that this is by far the worst season in the club's history.
00:11:33
Toluwa Famuyide
And I'm sure they wouldn't want to be labeled as the worst players in the worst team in history. you know So we have some talented young players. We have some talented, experienced players.
00:11:44
Toluwa Famuyide
He mentioned Casimiro, who's won Champions League. Bruno Fernandes is an experienced player. But aside from that, we have these up and coming young talents who are also winning trophies, Garnacho, Maynou.
00:11:56
Toluwa Famuyide
They've done it in the finals before. So there's really no excuse, I would say, especially against a team like Spurs, who don't really have the experience that these players do. And Moving forward, I mean, if they were to let a barbecue or anything like that impact their game, then it just kind of shows the level of professionals that they are.
00:12:14
Toluwa Famuyide
I mean, i can see someone like Bruno Fernandes just rallying them up day by day, leading up to the final. And even on the day of the final, he's probably going to be speaking to every single player, telling them what this occasion means and what this will mean to the fans, what this will mean to the club.
00:12:28
Toluwa Famuyide
Everything really relies on this game and I wish it wasn't so. I wish we had a better season. I wish we wouldn't have to always put our hat on winning a final to make a European competition. You know, it's it's kind of sad to see that we've just fallen so far in that regard. But at the end of the day, these are professionals.
00:12:46
Toluwa Famuyide
Amarim is a model ah coach, in my opinion. I think his honesty is very well warranted because if he was to be dishonest, sort of like Ten Hag and a little of, I like Ten Hag, but he was a bit oblivious at times. He wasn't really honest in his assessment of the player's form of the current situation at the club.
00:13:04
Toluwa Famuyide
Amarim is one of those coaches where I can see he's no nonsense. He just wants the best for the organization, the best for the players around him. So tomorrow was just a big day in general, regardless of all the noise outside. I hope the players turn it off and just focus on the pitch.
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, it seems sort of like the calm before the storm. and And we'll see. ah and We'll give our predictions about how the game goes and and we'll definitely see how what what sort of team turns up tomorrow.
00:13:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But more on our predictions just after this quick break.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to the GSPN Daily Manchester United podcast. We are, of course, previewing the Europa League final, which is tomorrow of the day of recording.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, boys, we we sort of previewed and and our thoughts going into the game and sort of the the atmosphere around the club this season and and and the weeks leading up to it.
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tolu, I'm going to come to you first.
How Will the Cup Final Play Out?
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
We mentioned how both teams have have been having really poor seasons. How do you sort of expect the the game to play out tomorrow night?
00:14:58
Toluwa Famuyide
Yeah, um there's no doubt about it. Both teams have been really bad. um But thankfully, it's a cup final. So all the form goes out of the window. It's definitely going to be a tight game. You mentioned it earlier that it's such a 50-50 contest where both teams are just equally just as bad as one another.
00:15:16
Toluwa Famuyide
So there's really no, I would say, there's no large margin between the teams in terms of results and performances on the pitch. Spurs do have our number throughout the entire season. They've beaten us three times.
00:15:29
Toluwa Famuyide
But last season, Manchester City beat us three times and then we turned up in the final. So I think it really all just depends on the mood, the atmosphere. It seems like the players are cultivating a positive atmosphere, which is good.
00:15:40
Toluwa Famuyide
That's all you need because whatever has been done in the Premier League this season doesn't matter any anymore. The Premier League has been, for us at least, it's been long done done and dusted. This is what matters. This is the most important occasion for a lot of these players to reach a European final, no matter what it is, Champions League, Europa League, is a huge achievement.
00:15:58
Toluwa Famuyide
So I'm hoping tomorrow just we come out in the first half like we would in the second half. We always start the game slow and then in the second half we pick it up. I really hope in the first half we can turn up like we did in Bilbao. I know the first 20, 30 minutes in Bilbao against Atletic was pretty poor in the first leg.
00:16:15
Toluwa Famuyide
And then after that, the players just started to turn up. They started to pass quicker. It was a little more fluid. Against Spurs, we're going to need that because Spurs are missing two of their best players in Madison and Kulisevsky.
00:16:26
Toluwa Famuyide
So you know they're going to come out aggressive. They don't really have a lot of creativity, so they're try and beat us physically, which is something that we lack. I'm really hoping that the boys are up for it tomorrow, though.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And and Tom, Tolua mentioned there that the Bilbao game and you mentioned that actually in part one of us playing there. Do you think sort of our undefeated record in Europe and the fact that we only played in Bilbao about two, three weeks ago is ah is a real benefit that we're going to take in into this game?
00:16:56
Tom Cairns
It was our first visit to the East San Mamas since 2012, wasn't it? When we got knocked out by Bilbao in the round of 16 in the same competition. I would say, now that we know the place, I think the game against Bilbao away is harder than what I think tomorrow's game is going to be.
00:17:16
Tom Cairns
ah know it's the final, but I just think Tottenham are going to come up short with the reinforcements that they will have. The good thing about United is that They've brought the likes of Delo, Xerxe, Euro, and someone else who's been injured for some time. i can't remember who it was.
00:17:33
Tom Cairns
But they've not brought De Ligt over. that's That's a big boost for United to bring those over. They're not going to start, but it'd be nice if they got some minutes towards the end. Just help them get back into some form of match fitness before they do end up playing against Aston Villa, should they do.
00:17:51
Tom Cairns
But I just think United it on the night, you know, as a cup finalist team, i i think they'll get it over the line. I think Tottenham will eventually run out of steam.
United's Strategy: Exploiting Tottenham's Weaknesses?
00:18:02
Tom Cairns
I do feel that the likes of Slanky and Johnson are going to be the two which United need to keep honest the most. They need to keep those two quiet. Because otherwise, if we get caught on the counter, which I know Tottenham can be quite lethal on, just as we can be when we counter...
00:18:21
Tom Cairns
But it feels like we are good in sort of in slower open play situations where we can get a ball to the right-hand side. That ball from Maguire for the first one against Bilbao for Casemiro get a header on it. You know, obviously headed off Igarto first and then Casemiro put it in the net.
00:18:37
Tom Cairns
If we could put in that kind of performance again, then Tottenham won't be able to cope with that.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and and it's interesting because I think league form maybe you would say has has a bit of an impact in games previously, but i think Spurs losing on Friday night and and also United losing on Friday night, it's sort of, you literally can't split the two.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So that's why going in into the game, it's going to be so interesting to see whether it's going to be a really good game, entertaining back and forth, or it's going to be a real dry and bland game. And it's going to take a moment of brilliance from someone to sort of win it. um we Tom mentioned there to Lua about the likes of Yoro and Zurchin and Dolo today on the eve of the final being back in training and of course three of Spurs' best players and in Madison, Son and Kulisewski being out injured.
00:19:29
Tom Cairns
Thank you.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
How much of an impact will that have on both teams? And we talked about pressure and in the in the first part of this episode as well. Does that almost make it sort of there's more pressure on United now to be the aggressors and to really go for the game?
00:19:51
Toluwa Famuyide
I think in a sense, yeah, it does make us, you know, have to go for it a little bit more. But we know Spurs, this is a Premier League opposition. So we know how dangerous Spurs can be as well.
00:20:02
Toluwa Famuyide
This isn't going to be an easy game by the stretch of the imagination. But having Deleuze Yoro and Xerxe back is huge. That just gives us more options off the bench. Ange doesn't really have that, um which kind of gives an edge towards Amarim.
00:20:16
Toluwa Famuyide
If it's in a late game situation like Tom mentioned and Spurs are running out of steam, to be able to bring on somebody as you know energetic as Dalot or somebody as skillful as Xerxe would really go a long way, especially if whoever's playing right wing back, I'm assuming it it might be Ahmad,
00:20:33
Toluwa Famuyide
or whoever ah is tired, or if Hoyland is having another bad game, we can give it a ah new die die dimension sorry ah by bringing in Xerxe or by bringing in Dalo, somebody with you know a different type of mentality than the the previous. So I think it definitely plays into our hands a little bit more.
00:20:51
Toluwa Famuyide
ah We definitely have to go for it because we can't just let Spurs dictate possession. We can't let them dictate the tempo of the game. Otherwise, we're going to lose... United, as soon as a goal goes in for United or as soon as a goal goes against United, the heads drop.
00:21:05
Toluwa Famuyide
I feel like Bruno Fernandes is the only player that really keeps his head up. But even he at some points gets frustrated with his teammates, you know, so we cannot let Spurs get the first goal. I know Man United is known for comebacks, but I feel like this team's mental state is too fragile, especially in a cup final.
00:21:21
Toluwa Famuyide
That's when the pressure is going to be on the most. And I think if it's a nil-nil up until the 70th minute, then we have that advantage with these with these substitutes.
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, following on from that, Toluwa, as well, i'm I'm sure all of us here probably heard the comments of of Gary Neville um last week about...
Debating Player Quality: United vs. Spurs
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every Spurs player, a apart from Bruno Fernandes, would get into the United squad right now. And for me, um i personally agree with that. And I personally agree with what he said about they are a better footballing side if they play to the best of their ability. Obviously, we mentioned not all their best players are available for tomorrow.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just wanted to get your thoughts on that, Toluwa.
00:22:05
Toluwa Famuyide
Yeah, i actually disagree with Gary Neville. There's not a lot of magnetic players that would make that 11, but I think there are some that are better in quality than a few of the Spurs
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and me Give me some names.
00:22:18
Toluwa Famuyide
The only name I can think of besides Bruno Fernandes is Ahmad and potentially Masrawi. I don't think that Pedro Poro or Jed Spence are better in terms of a fullback than Masrawi, but we also play two different formations. So, you know, it's also a little tricky.
00:22:33
Toluwa Famuyide
And I think right now, Ahmad is just so impactful. um He would definitely in some capacity start in that lineup. It's just tough because, you know, this United team is quite average and it's hard to pinpoint, you know,
00:22:47
Toluwa Famuyide
world-class performances in any game that we play. Even when we win, it's hard to see who really stands out the most. it might be It might just be a team performance most of the time. And I feel like Gary Neville is a bit too harsh on United, just given the fact that I know he's a legend of the club and he went he he came from winning all the time and being in a competitive team with warriors like Ferdinand and Vittich and all these players, to now seeing the type of quality that we have, of course, it's frustrating, but I think he's being a little too harsh. I think United on their best day with their best 11 can really do some damage.
00:23:21
Toluwa Famuyide
I just think it's all about how the team gels, how they perform.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:24
Toluwa Famuyide
And it's also the individual performances as well, because one bad individual performance can drag the whole team down. And most teams don't really experience things like that. Maybe you could look to a team like Arsenal and say, well, if Saka and Odegaard aren't there, then they're a different side.
00:23:38
Toluwa Famuyide
That's true. But if we take Bruno Fernandes out of the equation, then we might as well be a relegation contender. You know what I mean? So... I think on our day, we can play some amazing football. I've seen passages of play this season, whether in a loss or in a win, where I'm like, okay, I can see what Emmerim is trying to do. The players are kind of buying into it.
00:23:57
Toluwa Famuyide
But to say that Spurs are better, ah feel like that's a bit of a stretch. I mean, because Spurs... With their financial situation, they can buy players. players mightness Players might not necessarily want to come, but they have the ability to do so.
00:24:11
Toluwa Famuyide
It's up to Levy to recruit better.
00:24:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:24:13
Toluwa Famuyide
I feel like their recruitment hasn't really been up to par, especially losing Harry Kane. And they're in 17th. Mind you, like you know they' they're also in a worse position than we are. So to say that their football is better is so bit strange, I would say.
00:24:27
Toluwa Famuyide
But at the end of the day, I can see where he's coming from, you know making those statements.
00:24:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, see, that's the thing. The way I see it is i agree in terms of man for man, they're a better team than us. and And I think they've proven that on their day, they play better football than us. I mean, we've just said they've beaten us three times this
United's Mentality Advantage in Comebacks?
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
year.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only thing that I think that might carry us over the line tomorrow is mentality. I think so obviously Spurs in every big game they play, they don't have that mentality. grind out a result type of mentality where you've seen United even this season, and the the game against Lyon stands out where if we go behind, we'll find a way to win. And I think that's just ingrained in in in our DNA, in our culture. And I think that That's what we have over Spurs.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think if we if if we lead, I don't see Spurs coming back into the game. Whereas if Spurs go 1-0 up, I can see United clawing a comeback from somewhere. So that's where I see the similarities in it in his comments. But I also agree where he might be a little bit harsh. I would put Ahmad in there as well, to be honest, after this season.
00:25:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we're going to take a quick ad break now. And then for part three, we'll give all our bold predictions and and see who's made to look like a fool come Thursday morning.
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll be back just after this.
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to part three of the GSPN Daily Manchester United podcast. Boys, we've talked about the atmosphere in the past couple of weeks. We've talked about how the game might play out and and who's to start and who's not to start.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now it is time to predict what we think is going to happen for this big game. I mean, i I'll leave my thoughts to last, but I know, and I don't know if you boys are in the same position where I've been flip-flopping the past couple of weeks and i'm I'm still maybe not yet on a set way in which I'm going to go, but I'll let ah you boys do the honours first.
Match Outcome Predictions: Confidence vs. Caution
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, over to you.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
which way yeah Which way are you going to go, mate?
00:27:08
Tom Cairns
And we go for United. I think they'll settle into the game nicely. um If Tottenham get out of the cage within them and within the first 10 to 15 minutes, that may make it more challenging for United than anticipated. so But we've just got to make sure we just don't concede early on. Because if we go into a situation where, like the FA Cup final in 2018, where we lost to Chelsea thanks to a penalty from Eden Hazard, Chelsea just camped in their own half for the rest of the game and won.
00:27:35
Tom Cairns
Tottenham could end up doing the same if we're not careful. So we just need to be careful we're not too open at the back. But if we second into the game, you know, and trouble that back line of Tottenham, then i think it's United's night all, you know, all evening, really. So I'm going to say a 3-0 win to United.
00:27:55
Tom Cairns
I think they'll have a more comfortable game than than some people think.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's gone ah He's gone bold to Lua, he's gone brave, but this year has been the year of the underdogs with the Newcastles, the Crystal Palaces. Is it once again the year where a team get their first trophy in a while or is it United's night?
00:28:16
Toluwa Famuyide
I personally just don't think that Spurs have enough in terms of that mentality, in terms of just ti players that know how to win. And I think that gives United the edge. I think in the long run, having players like Casemiro, even regardless of how bad his form has been, it brings that winning mentality.
00:28:33
Toluwa Famuyide
you know And we have players who have reached cup finals and have played in the in the biggest of the occasions. you know We have a World Cup winner. and know he's not there, but Speaking to the players, the mindset will be a lot more positive going into it than I think the Spurs camp.
00:28:47
Toluwa Famuyide
ah I think it's going to be a tight game. um Personally, I just think that United have spells, whether in the first half or the second half where we could play brilliant football for 10, 15 minutes, and then we're just on the back foot for another 20.
00:29:03
Toluwa Famuyide
And Spurs are definitely a team that I agree with Tom. If they get the first goal, they're going to camp. they They will. Knowing how Ange plays And just either all in or he's sitting back.
00:29:15
Toluwa Famuyide
And I think with this one, he's not going to be all in knowing that he doesn't have his star players there to affect the game. um I'm leaning towards a in United's favor, just because it seems like United can't really score as much as we would like them to.
00:29:23
Tom Cairns
Thank you.
00:29:30
Toluwa Famuyide
And it'd be a tough it'd be it'd be ah it'd be a lot to ask them to score. i feel like more than two, especially with the form that they're on. um I agree with Tom in the in the sense that if we'll settle into the game nice, but it's about keeping that pace. It's about dictating the tempo.
00:29:46
Toluwa Famuyide
Can Bruno hold on to the ball and really dictate the play? Or are we just going to see Spurs sit back and camp and we be get frustrated because they're playing a deep block? you know So I'm just thinking about current the current Manchester United.
00:29:58
Toluwa Famuyide
Before I would say, if this was last season, I'd say, yeah, we'll spank them. Just knowing how we play in the finals. But I'm nervous. I can't even lie. It's hard to pinpoint where this will go. But i'm I'm leaning towards United 2-1. And I think United will take a 2-0 lead and then Spurs will get one back and try and get their way into it. But I think Emerim tactically will change up his system and and allow us to get the victory.
00:30:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so more conservative from Utulu and a 2-1. More bold from Brave ah from Tom there with a three nil Boys, I'm going to have to disagree, I'm afraid.
00:30:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah think I've been omen and oren the past couple of weeks. But watching United this season, and granted, I haven't watched Spurs as much either, but every time someone asks me to predict yeah a United game this season, I just don't see it where we get a win from.
00:30:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I genuinely just don't see where we get a win from. We've been as bad as I've probably ever seen it in my lifetime. And granted, don't know if this will even play ah an impact, to be honest, but we've seen Newcastle, Crystal Palace get their first trophy. I think that will give Spurs confidence.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Ange will be telling that to their players. ah in the changing room, about being history makers. um i think the I think for United, it's it's about a financial impact. It's about getting to where where we're used to where we used to be and where where we should be.
00:31:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
For Spurs, I think it's deeper than that. It's ah it's a cultural This is a real cultural historic moment for Spurs where they need a trophy.
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
They need it for everything about their club, the way they want to be perceived ah in Europe, the way they they want to do deals and transfer market and Champions League.
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think for Spurs it is a lot deeper. And for Ange, I think it's very personal. I think you've seen that in interviews. e eases is I personally don't really like him as a character. I think he used to be a breath of fresh air. i think he's become quite arrogant now. and But I think for him, it's really personal as well.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But I just think. I think when United play the worst of this season, I think anyone can beat us. I genuinely do believe that. And I think, as I said before, if Spurs play even half their best, I think it will be enough to beat United in the final, I'm afraid.
00:32:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, it could literally go anyway. It it is a dead 50-50. um and we could be sitting there on Thursday celebrating and I'm hoping we are I'm hoping we all have hangovers on Thursday morning and and and celebrating it but I just don't see it I'm afraid I just don't see where United are going to get a result from and even our results this year granted Bilbao was a bit of a surprising result but Yeah, I think the only way we win this game is mentality. I think if Spurs do what Spurs do in finals and just mentally switch off, that's where we can kill them.
00:33:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i think And I think that obviously they have a history of doing that. and But I think, yeah, if you if you United aren't top tier ready to go, I think we're going to lose. So I'm actually going to say a little 1-0 Spurs, I'm afraid, boys. So...
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I'm sorry to leave it on a bit
Plans for Watching the Game and Global Anticipation
00:33:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
of a negative note. On a more positive note, Tom, where are you watching the game? What are your plans, mate?
00:33:35
Tom Cairns
I'm going to be watching it over a hotel bar in Biggin Hill because I'm working over at Formula 1 this weekend. so But yeah, let's hope I go into work on Thursday and of course the whole weekend as a happy man with the Europa League trophy.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Tallulah, your plans, mate?
00:33:49
Toluwa Famuyide
Sadly, I'm actually going to have to watch it at work. I was off tomorrow, but for some reason I forgot the final was tomorrow and agreed to work.
00:33:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:33:58
Toluwa Famuyide
Thankfully, I work at CBS, so I'll be able to watch on the big screen and just relax and kick my feet up.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
fact
00:34:04
Toluwa Famuyide
But I'm hoping for a win.
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeahlan
00:34:06
Toluwa Famuyide
That's all I'm hoping for.
00:34:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm sure we we all, our boys and Manchester United fans all across the world will be tuned in to this one tomorrow. And what a season-defining, maybe ah an era-defining game this could be for Manchester United and, of course, Tottenham Hotspur.
00:34:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, boys, it's been absolute pleasure. And then make sure you go follow us across all of our socials. And if you want to see us visually, not just audio, go on over to our YouTube channel and you can either see our happy faces or sad faces in the next episode.
00:34:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for now, it's goodbye from me and goodbye from the lads.
00:34:46
Toluwa Famuyide
Cheers.