Manchester United travel to the Basque Country on Thursday night for the first leg of our Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, with a place in the final at stake.
The Reds will be looking to maintain our unbeaten record in this season’s competition as we edge closer to potential glory in Europe – and the Champions League next year.
TEAM NEWS
United have received a major boost with both Amad and Matthijs de Ligt returning to training ahead of the trip to Bilbao. Both players were included in Ruben Amorim’s 26-man travelling squad after participating in Wednesday’s session at Carrington.
Amad has been sidelined since February with an ankle injury, while De Ligt has been absent since picking up an ankle problem in the defeat to Nottingham Forest on April 1. Whether they’ll be named in the actual matchday squad remains to be seen.
However, we do remain without several key players. Diogo Dalot will miss the clash with a calf injury that could potentially rule him out for the remainder of the season. Joshua Zirkzee (thigh), Lisandro Martinez (ACL), Toby Collyer (leg), and Ayden Heaven (ankle) are also unavailable.
Academy prospects Harry Amass, Jaydan Kamason, Sekou Kone and Bendito Mantato are all part of the travelling squad, though Chido Obi is ineligible for Europa League competition.
Expect Hojlund to lead the line in Joshua Zirkzees absence. The young Dand scored a last minute equaliser against Bournemouth at the weekend. Similar heroics tonight would be worth their weight in gold.
THE OPPOSITION
Athletic Club have been rejuvenated under Ernesto Valverde this season, currently sitting fourth in La Liga and with a Champions League spot looking secure for next season. They have proven themselves to be one of the most defensively solid teams in Spain, conceding just 26 goals in 33 league matches – the best defensive record in La Liga.
In Europe, the Basque side have been equally impressive at San Mamés, winning all six of their home matches in the Europa League this season. They reached the semi-finals after a comfortable 2-0 aggregate victory over Rangers in the quarter-finals.
The hosts will be without their leading goalscorer Oihan Sancet for Thursday’s match, although Valverde has suggested he could return for the second leg at Old Trafford. Athletic’s star winger Nico Williams is expected to be fit and is one to watch for the hosts. The Spain international has contributed to at least one goal in each of his six home Europa League appearances this season, with five goals and two assists.
FORM GUIDE
All competitions
Athletic Club: DWWLW
Manchester United: DLWDD
The Reds drew 1-1 with Bournemouth in our most recent Premier League outing, which followed a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Wolves. However, the dramatic 5-4 victory over Lyon in the quarter-final second leg highlighted our resilience in Europe, with Bruno Fernandes once again proving influential with his contribution of goals and assists.
Bilbao come into this match having won 1-0 against Las Palmas in their last La Liga fixture, though they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid prior to that. In Europe, they secured a 2-0 home win against Rangers to progress to the semi-finals.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
This is the first time United and Bilbao have met in European competition since the 2011-12 Europa League round of 16, when the Spanish side knocked us out after winning both legs (3-2 at Old Trafford and 2-1 at San Mamés).
Our overall record against Athletic stands at one win, one draw and three defeats. Our sole victory came in the European Cup quarter-final second leg back in February 1957, when we won 3-0 at Old Trafford to progress 6-5 on aggregate.
PREDICTED LINEUP
Onana;
Yoro, Maguire, Shaw;
Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu;
Fernandes, Hojlund, Mount.
PREDICTION
United face a stern test against a Bilbao side with the best defensive record in La Liga, but with the return of key players and the European spirit we’ve shown this season, we have every chance of securing a positive result.
A score draw would be a good outcome to take back to Old Trafford for the second leg, and we’re going for that in our prediction.
Athletic Club 1-1 Manchester United