A tournament once viewed condescendingly by the powerhouses of Europe now offers two fallen giants of the continent a season-ending redemption song. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are languishing 16th and 17th on the league table in England, relegation blushes saved by a frighteningly incompetent bottom three. They square off in the Europa League final for not only a silverware that could bring some sunshine into a dark season but also a slot in the next Champions League edition. Besides the material gain that accompanies UCL qualification, some of their battered dignity could be reclaimed. The voice that the Europa winners securing a Champions League berth is dubious has found justifiable volume in the sustained plummet of Spurs and United. There are two contrasting perceptions—the Premier League is too competitive so that even teams that underwhelm are better than several sides on the continent, or that the fickle disposition of knockouts favoured them more than the weekly grind of the league. Or it could be that United and Spurs were too wise. they realised the …