Manchester United will face fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Thursday.
Despite reaching the final of a European competition, both clubs are enduring dismal domestic campaigns. United sits 16th, while Spurs are 17th in the Premier League table.
The winner of the final will secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, offering a lifeline despite its poor league form.
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Here’s a list of clubs won Major European trophies despite finishing in bottom halves of leagues:
| Club | Season | Competition | League Position |
| Arsenal | 1969-70 | Inter-Cities Fair Cup | 12 |
| Inter Milan | 1993-94 | UEFA Cup | 13 |
| FC Schalke | 1996-97 | UEFA Cup | 12 |
| Sevilla | 2022-23 | Europa League | 12 |
| West Ham United | 2022-23 | UEFA Conference league | 14 |
The 2024–25 Europa League winner will make history by lifting a Major European trophy despite the lowest league finish ever.
