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'United deserve to win as Spurs always bottle it'

Davina Ramos
BBC News Manchester
Paul Burnell
BBC News, Manchester
PA Media Manchester United fans in the fanzone in Bilbao before Wednesday's Europa League Final.PA Media
Some Manchester United fans have high hopes for the final despite their poor league form

Manchester United fans were brimming with confidence as they jetted off to Spain for their make-or-break all-English Europa League Final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Supporters have been making the trip from Manchester Airport to Bilbao ahead of the game at San Mames stadium tomorrow night.

The prize for the teams whose Premier League form has been poor is a coveted place in next seasons Champions League.

Travelling fan Sam Mikelson said: "I'm nervous, excited, and all of the above – it's been a tough season, but we always find a way through."

Davina Ramos/BBC Jim is bald and is wearing a grey crew neck sweater with a white Manchester United crest while his wife has blonde hair and is wearing a replica Manchester United shirt.Davina Ramos/BBC
Jim and Linda Baughan said the trip to Spain had cost them £5,000

Married couple Jim and Linda Baughan, who have followed the Red Devils for 40 years, said their club has struggled in the league.

But Linda said: "I'm always confident we are gong to win and we deserve it."

But Jim was not sure, and said: "We don't really deserve anything the way we play in the league, but in games like these anything can happen - in the last round we were dead and buried at 4-2."

Linda said: "It will have cost £5,000 between us and – as we said in Moscow [in the 2008 Champions League Final] it was worth every rouble."

Davina Ramos/BBC Bob Firth and Nathan Hall stood together smiling at Manchester Airport. Bob has a bald head and us wearing a grey designer hoodie. Nathan has short brown hair and is wearing a white T-ShirtDavina Ramos/BBC
Bob Firth (L) and Nathan Hall (R) said fans were 'not embarrassed' to be in the final

Friends Bob Firth and Nathan Hall said they were optimistic about the prospect of victory over Spurs due to United's form in the Europa League.

"We seem to be up for it in Europe," said Nathan.

Bob said: "It is not going to be a cheap two days but it will be worth it - United have been on fire this year and Tottenham always bottle it."

Davina Ramos/BBC Sam Warburton has a Manchester United scarf and bush hat while his dad Andy has glasses greying brown hair and is wearing a Manchester United tracksuit top.Davina Ramos/BBC
Andy Warburton and son Sam said they felt nervous ahead of the game

Father and son Andy and Sam Warburton were less bullish than other fans.

Andy said: "I'm nervous, you never know which United you will get - I do know Ruben Amorim is the best man for the job and the club should back him next season."

His son Sam said he was feeling a mixture of excitement and tension.

"It is my first European final and I am really nervous - Spurs have beaten us three times this season", he said.

Davina Ramos/BBC Sam Winton has a current Manchester United shirt and is wearing a blue University of Stirling baseball cap.Davina Ramos/BBC
Sam Winton said both teams have been poor this season in the run up to the final

"It's a really hard call as both teams have not had a great season," said Andrew Winton.

He added: "We put seven past the best defence in La Liga, so on that form we deserve it but not on our league results."

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