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EDDIE THOMAS WAS VOTED MAN UTD'S NO.1 FAN BY THE MEN IN 2004 AND HE HAS TRAVELLED TO BILBAO FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL. 04:00, 21 May 2025 Manchester United's biggest fan is

hoping to watch his side win another European trophy. Eddie Thomas has lived and breathed United throughout his entire life and he beat tough competition to be voted as United's biggest

fan by the _Manchester Evening News_ in 2006. The MEN's former sport editor, Peter Spencer, visited Thomas to present him with his prize and 19 years later, Steven Railston was invited

to his home to look at the revamped 'Red Room'. Thomas' house is like United heaven and he travelled to Bilbao on Monday afternoon to attend the Europa League final against

Tottenham Hotspur, along with his son and grandson. The dedicated Red had been to every cup final, including Europeans, until recently when a friend who was responsible for sorting their

tickets made an error, but Thomas will be present at the Estadio de San Mames on Wednesday night and he can't wait to take his seat in the stadium. Article continues below "My

other grandson is going with his mates and they're flying via Tenerife," Thomas laughed. "He's been to the quarter-finals and semi-finals away in Lyon and Bilbao, and he

booked his flights for the final early. "The Lyon match at Old Trafford was crazy. We had to make a dash to the toilet and the equaliser was scored, so we darted back in at the bottom

and we were right where Maguire scored. "It was amazing, something like '99 [Champions League final at Camp Nou] because they scored three goals in just a few minutes. It has to go

down as one of my favourite games anyway." Thomas continued: "They're the only unbeaten team in Europe, so I fancy them with how we've been. It's been a ride when

you compare it to the Premier League, which has been terrible. "Because they can't get relegated, I don't think they've been bothered, so that's not a good thing.

But I'll be phoning you up if they win the trophy! We've beaten Tottenham lots down the years." Thomas admitted he wasn't sure how he would celebrate in Bilbao if United

beat Tottenham, but his wife, Christine, interrupted to say: "A couple of drinks? You'll be having lots of them!" Thomas' first season at Old Trafford was in 1957 and

he's seen dozens of United legends in the flesh, but he believes Bruno Fernandes should be remembered as one of the greats. Fernandes scored a brace in the Europa League semi-final

first leg and has continued to be a driving force in a struggling team. "He's everything, he pushes, he assists and scores goals," said Thomas. "He's my hero in this

team and I hope he doesn't leave in the summer. We need to keep him for next season, see who we buy in the summer, because you can't replace a player like him. "He's the

one who sticks out. We've always had good midfield players who are leaders. He just falls short of Bryan Robson for me, who was Captain Fantastic, but he probably comes close."

Thomas will be cheering on Fernandes to write another chapter of history in Bilbao. --- _Here at the Manchester Evening News, we're dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United

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rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate._ Article continues below _Our

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