Gary Neville admits he is ‘anxious’ ahead of the Europa League final and has warned Manchester United and Tottenham a ‘horrible night’ awaits the loser.
Ruben Amorim’s United meet Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs in an all-English Europa League final on May 21.
The winner will not only secure a major piece of silverware but qualify for next season’s Champions League.
That would represent a welcome and unexpected bonus for two clubs who have endured miserable Premier League campaigns, sitting 16th and 17th in the table with two games remaining.
Given the financial implications of returning to the Champions League, Neville says there is ‘so much at stake’ ahead of the Europa League final, which will be played in Bilbao.
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Asked whether he was excited for the final, Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: ‘It’s not excitement but what a game. What a game between 16th and 17th in the Premier League!
‘What an opportunity, what a game. A game with such jeopardy, such consequences for the winner and the loser. A magnificent night awaits for the winner and a horrible night awaits the loser.
‘I said it earlier on in the week, there is an excitement about a final, but there’s also that sickly feeling because it has to go right. You know what’s at stake here.
‘There’s also more a stake when you face another English team in a final. In 2008 [when Manchester United beat Chelsea in the Champions League final] I wasn’t in the matchday squad but I travelled to Moscow.
‘We beat Chelsea but it was a game where you just thought, if Chelsea beat us here, how bad will this be?
‘The United and Spurs lads will travel to Bilbao with excitement, knowing they can still get Champions League football at the end of a horrible season for both of them in the Premier League.
‘They can both grab some sort of victory from defeat. It’s all eyes on that final now, there’s so much at stake.
‘I’m half excited, half nervous to death. There is a lot at stake, a lot at stake.’
Paul Scholes predicts Europa League final winner
Tottenham have already beaten Manchester United three times this season but Paul Scholes still favours his former club ahead of the Europa League final.
‘I’m not saying United will definitely win it but history tells me they’ve got a great chance,’ Scholes said on TNT Sports.
‘We know Spurs have beat them three times this season and they’re a really good team. I like Tottenham.
‘If they watch that first 70 minutes [of United’s second leg against Bilbao] Spurs will think they’ve got a good chance.
‘But I just think about the history of this club. It’s almost like Real Madrid at times, they can not play well and still win cups.
‘I just feels the odds are slightly in United’s favour. But I do think Spurs are a good side on their day.
‘I just think the history and the experience of the club will get them over the line. I really like Ange and think he’s got a good team but I just favour Manchester United.’
Scholes’ former United teammate Owen Hargreaves added: ‘It’s going to be fascinating. There is so much at stake for everyone.
‘But if United in a down season can win a trophy and get into Champions League, it tells you what the club is all about.
‘Right now, momentum is with Manchester United with the energy around the club at the moment.’
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