Reports: Spurs may be about to spring a big surprise on United in Europa League final as secret weapon joins travelling party
Tottenham Hotspur have unveiled their 21-man traveling squad for the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao, with one particularly unexpected name making the cut.
Despite manager Ange Postecoglou previously ruling James Maddison out until July with injury, the English playmaker was spotted boarding the team bus—raising questions about his potential involvement in Wednesday’s high-stakes clash.
Spurs departed for Spain a day earlier than their opponents, aiming to acclimatize to the surroundings of San Mamés Stadium—a venue familiar to United after their 3-0 demolition of Athletic Club in the semifinals.
While Postecoglou’s side overcame Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt to reach the final, their squad announcement reveals both encouraging returns and concerning absences that could shape the outcome of the match.
Maddison’s presence has sparked intrigue, given Postecoglou’s earlier insistence that the midfielder wouldn’t return before preseason.
The 27-year-old, who has been sidelined since April with ligament damage, was photographed joining teammates for the flight—though his actual participation remains doubtful.
Even if medically cleared, his match sharpness would be severely lacking, making a cameo appearance the most plausible scenario.
Key Absences Weaken Spurs’ Options
While Maddison’s inclusion offers a glimmer of hope, Tottenham will be without several influential figures. Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who suffered a season-ending injury last month, was omitted entirely, as was winger Dejan Kulusevski following recent patella surgery.
Defender Radu Drăgușin also failed to recover in time from an ACL tear, further depleting Postecoglou’s defensive options.
The fitness of captain Son Heung-min presents another dilemma. Though the South Korean forward traveled with the squad, his ability to last the full 90 minutes remains in question.
Having only recently returned from a foot injury, Son has been carefully managed, with his longest outing since April being a 74-minute appearance against Aston Villa.
His leadership and goal threat make him indispensable, but Spurs may need to rely on late-game substitutions to maximize his impact.
Sarr’s Race Against Time
One positive update comes in the form of Pape Sarr, who made the trip despite picking up a knock in Friday’s league defeat to Villa.
The Senegalese midfielder’s presence bolsters Tottenham’s engine room, though his match readiness is still uncertain. If deemed fit, his energy and ball-winning ability could prove crucial against a United side expected to dominate possession.
While Tottenham grapple with selection headaches, Manchester United face similar concerns. Erik ten Hag’s squad announcement, expected later today, will reveal whether key players like Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Diogo Dalot, and Joshua Zirkzee have won their fitness battles.
The Red Devils’ depth has been tested all season, and the final could hinge on which side manages their injury setbacks more effectively.
Maddison’s potential involvement—however limited—adds an intriguing subplot. If introduced late, his creativity could exploit tired legs in United’s backline.
Conversely, Spurs’ lack of natural width without Kulusevski may force Postecoglou to tweak his system, possibly deploying Brennan Johnson or Timo Werner in hybrid roles.
United, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly if Drăgușin’s absence forces a makeshift center-back pairing. The midfield battle between Sarr (if fit) and United’s Casemiro could dictate the tempo, with both teams likely to prioritize defensive solidity early on.
With European qualification and silverware on the line, the match promises to be a tense affair. Tottenham’s squad announcement suggests they’ll rely heavily on squad resilience, while United’s firepower—spearheaded by Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho—makes them slight favorites.
One thing is certain: both managers will need to navigate their injury crises shrewdly. Whether Maddison’s surprise inclusion proves a masterstroke or a non-factor could become one of the defining narratives of this Europa League final.