"We Will Win"—Tottenham Star Micky van de Ven Sends Bold Message Ahead of Europa League Final Against Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has sent a strong message ahead of Wednesday night’s Europa League final, saying he and his teammates believe they can beat Manchester United once again and finally lift a major trophy. The final, which takes place in Bilbao, is a huge moment for both clubs — with a Champions League spot also on the line.

Spurs haven’t won a trophy since 2008 when they lifted the League Cup. Since then, they’ve come close several times, including the 2019 Champions League final, but have failed to go all the way. Now, under new manager Ange Postecoglou, they have a real chance to change the narrative.

In an interview with GQ, Van de Ven admitted that jokes about Tottenham not winning trophies are common — but said the squad is determined to prove people wrong.

“If you join Spurs, of course people make jokes that you’re never going to win a trophy,” he said. “This group of players and staff want to make sure we change this for the fans and the club. We want to win for the gaffer, of course.”

The 23-year-old centre-back highlighted how Postecoglou has kept the team motivated throughout a difficult season. Despite poor performances or tough results, the manager never gave up on the squad.

“Even if we played a terrible game, we never felt like he was giving up on us. That’s why at the end of a tough season we still believe we will win,” Van de Ven added.

Ange Postecoglou, known for his attacking style and strong leadership, has a personal record of winning a trophy in his second season at every club he’s managed — including Celtic and Yokohama F. Marinos. This final represents his last chance to continue that streak.

So far, the Australian manager has transformed the team’s playing style and helped develop several young players. However, a major trophy is still missing, and the pressure is on.

Statistically, Tottenham have had the upper hand over Manchester United this season. The two teams have already met three times across all competitions:

• Premier League: Spurs won both matches, including a 2-0 home win in August.
• Carabao Cup: Tottenham knocked United out early in the tournament.

That’s three games, three wins for Spurs — and zero for United. Tottenham have outscored United 5-1 across those matches, showing clear dominance.

United’s last win against Spurs came back in 2022. That recent history gives Tottenham a psychological advantage going into the final.

One challenge Spurs will face is the absence of midfielder James Maddison, who remains sidelined with injury. Maddison has been one of the team’s most creative players this season, registering 5 goals and 8 assists in the Premier League.

Manchester United are also under pressure. A disappointing Premier League campaign has left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread — this final is their only way in. United have also struggled defensively, conceding 58 league goals, their worst tally in the Premier League era.

Spurs haven’t been much better, conceding 61 goals, the most among the top half teams. But they’ve scored more goals (74 to United’s 57) and have created more chances.

This final could come down to which team handles pressure better and who takes their chances. Tottenham have struggled with inconsistency all season, but in one-off games, they’ve shown they can rise to the occasion.