MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham fans need to dig deep into their pockets to be at the Europa League final as prices soar.
It looks set to be an all-English final in the Spanish city of Bilbao on May 21.
ReutersIt is set to be an all-English Europa League final in Bilbao[/caption]
GettyFans face a travel headache trying to get to the Spanish city[/caption]
GettyThe cost of flights and hotels for fans have soared[/caption]
United took a 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford for the semi-final second leg after beating Athletic Club last night and Spurs saw off Bodo/Glimt 3-1 ahead of going to Norway.
Both clubs have one foot in the final and supporters are researching their trips to Bilbao for the showpiece.
But with less than three weeks to the game, the prices of hotels and flights have rocketed.
Many places to stay in the city centre have been booked up already and very few remain under £1,000 per night.
All direct flights to Bilbao from London and Manchester across the entire week have sold out.
The cheapest option to go the day before the game and leave the day after now involves a stop in Milan – though that will still break the bank at around £350.
Fans could potentially fly to cities like Madrid and get a train or coach, or they face gruelling drives across Spain after landing elsewhere.
United and Spurs fans have been left horrified at the costs, with one saying: “Just looked at hotels in Bilbao. Is there any camp sites near by?”
Another added: “Good luck booking a hotel in Bilbao for the 21st.”
A third wrote: “Literally stuck between I need to get to Bilbao for the final and my bank account disagreeing with the flight paths.”
More commented: “Corr flights and hotel priced for Bilbao are crazy for the Europa League final.”
Man Utd ratings vs Athletic Bilbao as Fernandes leads by example but Ugarte struggles
MANCHESTER UNITED are on the cusp of a first European final since 2021 after stunning Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes ran the show in Spain to sink one of LaLiga’s meanest defences.
Ruben Amorim opted for a bold XI as United faced up to Europe’s best home rearguard.
Bilbao had conceded just 11 goals at the Estadio de San Mames all season, with the arena a cauldron of noise in the early stages.
But after some half chances for the hosts, the game turned on its head following Casemiro’s opener against the run of play – after Harry Maguire channelled his inner Lamine Yamal.
The Brazilian headed United ahead, with Dani Vivian controversially sent off just minutes later for hauling down Rasmus Hojlund in the box.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up to roll in the spotkick before adding to the rout on the stroke of half-time, firing past Julen Agirrezabala one-on-one.
Bilbao retreated into their own half for the remainder of the game, keeping the score down to three.
And United – so dismal for much of this season – are now overwhelming favourites to reach the Europa League final.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jim Sheridan rated the Red Devils in Bilbao…
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