In the Europa League, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are on track to reach the final after impressive first-leg performances. United took on Athletic Club and delivered a dominant display, reminiscent of their past European form. The Red Devils, who won the Europa League in 2017 under José Mourinho and finished runners-up in 2021, seem to have rediscovered their spark. Bruno Fernandes was the standout performer, netting two goals to add to an early strike that gave United a 3-0 lead before halftime, taking full advantage of Athletic's one-man disadvantage.
Tottenham, meanwhile, produced a strong showing against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke put them three goals ahead before conceding late on. Spurs, who are aiming to lift their first major European trophy, now have a realistic shot at reaching the final. If both clubs advance, fans could be treated to an all-English Europa League final. Tottenham may have a slight psychological edge, having beaten Manchester United twice this season, with United's last win over Spurs dating back to 2022.
Chelsea also made their mark in European competition, securing an impressive 4-1 away win in the Europa Conference League. The Blues are well-positioned to progress further if they can maintain their momentum in the second leg.
With Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea all showing strong form across the three UEFA competitions, the prospect of more than four English clubs featuring in European finals is increasingly likely. It's a remarkable turnaround for Premier League sides, and if current trends continue, this could be one of the most successful seasons for English clubs in Europe in recent history.
