Man Utd and Arsenal youngsters among 2019/20 Europa League breakthrough stars

Ahead of Friday's Europa League final between Sevilla and Inter, it's time to take stock of the competition so far. It's taken more than 12 months to whittle down to just two teams and there have been some memorable moments along the way.

The Europa League in particular can act as the perfect springboard for young players to enhance their reputations. UEFA club competitions provide them chance to perform on a bigger stage, while others are afforded opportunities they may not get in the league.

Here we assess the top 10 breakthrough stars of the 2019/20 Europa League, starting in reverse order and counting down to No.1. We have defined a breakthrough player as someone aged 21 or younger at the beginning of the season and with no previous European experience under their belt. Players are judged by their performances at one club.

10. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) - 7.11 rating

A serious knee injury unfortunately ended Gabriel Martinelli's season back in July but he can still look back at his first year at Arsenal with happiness. Martinelli is one of just six players to garner a perfect WhoScored 10 rating in a Europa League game this season and finished his first European campaign with three goals and two assists in seven appearances.

9. Victor Nelsson (FC Copenhagen) - 7.14 rating

21-year-old centre-back Victor Nelsson was an ever-present at the back for FC Copenhagen during their run to the Europa League quarter-finals before being knocked out by Manchester United in extra-time. Nelsson started 10 games for the Danish giants, winning the most aerial duels (54) and ranking second for most clearances (61) in the competition.

8. Mathias Olivera (Getafe) - 7.15 rating

Getafe's Europa League journey lasted longer than many expected after they dumped Ajax out of the competition in the round of 32, only to lose to eventual finalists Inter in the next round. Mathias Olivera was a standout performer for the Spanish side, registering two assists in five appearances, more than he managed in 24 league appearances in 2019/20. The left-back averaged 3.8 tackles per game, enough to rank in the top-10 in the competition, and completed seven of eight attempted dribbles.

7. Brandon Williams (Manchester United) - 7.19 rating

Brandon Williams is the first of three Manchester United youngsters in our breakthrough list. The 19-year-old left-back enjoyed a thoroughly encouraging first season in the United first-team, getting plenty of game time under his belt with Luke Shaw out injured. Williams started eight games in the Europa League and completed 72.7% of his attempted tackles. He also completed just two fewer dribbles (14) than he managed in 17 Premier League appearances (16) in 2019/20.

6. Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg) - 7.23 rating

Josip Brekalo could be on the move this summer with Napoli reportedly keen on the Wolfsburg winger and the Serie A outfit will no doubt be impressed with what they saw from the 22-year-old in the Europa League this season. Brekalo played a direct hand in six goals in nine appearances in the competition before Wolfsburg were beaten by Shakhtar in the round of 16.

5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) - 7.23 rating

Aaron Wan-Bissaka started five games in Manchester United's Europa League campaign that concluded with defeat to Sevilla in the semi-finals. The former Crystal Palace right-back typically completed 81.3% of his tackles in his first taste of European football, managing 3 tackles pg and 2 interceptions pg.

4. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) - 7.28 rating

Mason Greenwood certainly benefited from United's Europa League campaign to establish himself as a first-team regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by the end of the season. The 18-year-old is the first teenager for United to score at least five goals in a European campaign, while also registering one assist across his eight appearances in the competition. 

3. Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.30 rating

After catching the eye in Portugal with Vitoria de Guimaraes, Edmond Tapsoba earned a high profile January move to Bayer Leverkusen and has made a seamless transition to life in Germany. The 21-year-old endured a tough night marking Romelu Lukaku against Inter in the quarter-finals but was otherwise superb for the Bundesliga outfit. Tapsoba ranks in the top-10 for most passes per game with Leverkusen in the competition (81.2).

2. Calvin Stengs (AZ Alkmaar) - 7.32 rating

AZ Alkmaar's Europa League adventure ended in the round of 32 as they were knocked out by Austrian side LASK but it was certainly a campaign full of positives. Calvin Stengs was one of several AZ youngsters to catch the eye, managing two goals and as many assists in his eight outings. The 21-year-old also ranks in the top-10 in the competition for most successful dribbles per game (3.3).

1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 7.78 rating

Concluding the list, and earning the honour as WhoScored's breakthrough star of the 2019/20 Europa League campaign is Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka. The teenager made six appearances in the competition before Arsenal were eliminated by Olympiacos in the round of 32, splitting his time evenly at left-back and as a left winger. In that time, Saka played a direct hand in seven goals (two goals, five assists), managing 2.3 key passes per game and 2.2 successful dribbles per game.