For both Manchester United and Tottenham, this competition provides a route to saving their seasons, where they sit 14th and 16th respectively in the Premier League. Manchester United's trophy drought may not be as long as the 17-year drought that Ange Postecoglou is looking to bring to an end,

Tottenham Hotspur put aside their woeful domestic season with a 3-1 home victory against Norway's Bodo/Glimt leaving them within sight of the Europa League final on Thursday. Brennan Johnson's header after 37 seconds and a clever James Maddison finish put Tottenham 2-0 ahead at the break and Dominic Solanke increased their advantage just past the hour mark.

The rescue act is on for Manchester United and Tottenham. Big wins for both teams in the first legs of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday kept alive their hopes of lifting a major trophy and qualifying for the Champions League.