Bilbao or bust, that’s the size of Wednesday (May 21) in the Europa League final for Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur. If fans of either club dream of a continental glory night, the wider football economy means the executives will see it in a very different light.

Win in the San Mames, right in the centre of a Basque city set to be bursting at the seams, and the victor gains access to Champions League revenue. Arsenal pulled in £70 million (S$120.8 million) from reaching the semi-finals, from the governing body, Uefa, alone. That’s before the multiplier effect from commercial deals are considered.

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