Today, we preview and predict Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash between Manchester United and Athletic Club at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils having one foot in the final.
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Manchester United vs Athletic Club: Preview
Manchester United vs Athletic Club Preview: Manchester United have struggled in the Premier League, yet they stand on the verge of reaching the UEFA Europa League final without losing a single match. Despite a difficult season—set to break the club record for their lowest Premier League finish—the Red Devils still have a chance to salvage both a trophy and a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Manager Ruben Amorim aims to become the first coach to lead an English club to a major European final in his debut season since Thomas Tuchel guided Chelsea to the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League final. José Mourinho remains the only United boss to have achieved this feat before, doing so in the 2016-17 Europa League.
United took a huge step toward the final with last week’s dominant 3-0 win at Athletic Club. Now, the Spanish side must produce a miraculous comeback at Old Trafford to reach the final, which will ironically be held at their own iconic San Mamés Stadium on 21 May. United’s emphatic victory over a 10-man Bilbao side shocked many, as they dismantled one of La Liga’s strongest teams.
Bruno Fernandes Leads United’s Charge in Europe
Manchester United vs Athletic Club Preview: Despite struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League table, United have remained unbeaten in their 13 Europa League games this season (W8 D5) and could become only the seventh side to reach the competition’s final without losing a match en route. Benfica (2013-14), Chelsea (2018-19), Internazionale (2019-20), Villarreal (2020-21), Eintracht Frankfurt (2021-22), and Bayer Leverkusen (2023-24) also achieved this. United have lost just one of their last 30 home games in the Europa League (W23 D6), suffering a 1-0 group stage defeat to Real Sociedad in September 2022. They must lose by at least three goals to be eliminated—something they have never done in any European home match.
Bruno Fernandes continues to lead United’s attack. He has created 145 chances across all competitions this season. Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (34) and Radamel Falcao (30) have scored more Europa League goals than the Portuguese midfielder (27, tied with Romelu Lukaku), who also holds the joint-record for most assists in the competition (18, tied with Dries Mertens). Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (56) has contributed to more goals in all competitions for a Premier League side this season than Fernandes (35—19 goals, 16 assists).
Athletic’s Defense Tested with Key Injuries
Manchester United vs Athletic Club Preview: Ernesto Valverde built Athletic’s success this season on a rock-solid defense. His team has conceded just 26 goals in La Liga 2024-25—matching their all-time best defensive record after 34 games, first set in the 1984-85 season. Athletic lead La Liga in fewest goals conceded, and only Atlético Madrid (31.5) have recorded a lower expected goals against (xGA) than their 33.2. Yet, despite these strong defensive numbers, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes handed United firm control of the tie with goals in the first leg.
Valverde faces a major setback with Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams unavailable due to hamstring and groin injuries, respectively. Oihan Sancet, their top scorer in La Liga, also remains unavailable. He became only the fifth Athletic player to score 15 or more goals in a single La Liga season since 2000-01, but he still hasn’t recovered from the muscle tear that kept him out of the first leg. As a result, Athletic enter the second leg with severely depleted attacking options. This poses a significant challenge against a United side who, despite struggling to score in the Premier League, have outscored every other team in the Europa League this season with 31 goals (including one own goal). Only in 2002-03 (32) and 2020-21 (34) have they registered more goals in a single European campaign.
Athletic face a tough challenge as they aim to avoid losing both legs of a knockout tie in a major European competition for only the third time, after doing so in the 1967-68 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup quarter-final against Ferencvárosi TC and the 2017-18 Europa League round of 16 against Marseille.
Manchester United vs Athletic Club: Head-to-head
In all major European competitions, only one team has ever won the first leg of a two-legged knockout tie away from home by 3+ goals and failed to progress. Maccabi Tel Aviv achieved this feat against Olympiakos in the 2023-24 UEFA Conference League last 16, winning 4-1 away but losing 6-1 at home after extra time.
In the five previous encounters between United and Athletic, the teams have scored 22 goals (4.4 per game). The Red Devils netted 12 goals and conceded 10. All five matches featured at least three goals.
Athletic have lost seven of their nine previous away games against English clubs in all European competitions (W1 D1). Their most recent victory came in March 2012, when they beat United 3-2 in the Europa League.
United vs Athletic: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Manchester United – Team News
United could be missing six players for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second-leg clash with Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford.
With a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, the Red Devils will be without Lisandro Martinez (knee), Diogo Dalot (calf), Joshua Zirkzee (thigh), and Ayden Heaven (ankle), who are all still recovering from their injuries.
Ruben Amorim’s side will closely monitor Matthijs de Ligt’s fitness after a muscle issue forced him off during Sunday’s 4-3 Premier League defeat to Brentford. The team will assess both De Ligt and Toby Collyer (leg) before the match.
If De Ligt cannot play, Amorim may opt for a back three consisting of Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro, which started the first leg. Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui are also options to play as centre-backs.
Mazraoui, who has recently played as a right wing-back in Dalot’s absence, could shift to a right-sided centre-back role. In that case, Amad Diallo might earn a start on the wing, following a few substitute appearances and a goal against Brentford after returning from injury.
Patrick Dorgu, who started as right wing-back last weekend, is set to move to the left. Casemiro may replace Kobbie Mainoo in centre-midfield, partnering with Manuel Ugarte.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, who scored twice in the first leg, leads the attack with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund. Meanwhile, Chido Obi-Martin, who started against Brentford, will miss out as he is ineligible for the Europa League.
Manchester United – Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeper – Onana
- Defenders – Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro
- Midfielders – Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu
- Forwards – Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Athletic Club – Team News
Athletic Club have left key players Inaki and Nico Williams behind due to injuries. Inaki is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Nico missed the Basque derby draw against Real Sociedad last weekend.
Centre-back Dani Vivian was also excluded from the travelling squad after receiving a red card in last week’s first leg. Midfielder Oihan Sancet remains uncertain after being unavailable for the first leg due to injury.
With Vivian suspended, Unai Nunez is set to replace him at centre-back alongside Yeray Alvarez.
Coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed that Nico Williams, experienced full-back Oscar De Marcos, and top scorer Oihan Sancet will all undergo assessments before the match.
If both Sancet and Nico Williams are unavailable, Alex Berenguer could start out wide, with Unai Gomez taking the number 10 role behind either Maroan Sannadi or Gorka Guruzeta. If De Marcos is unfit, Andoni Gorosabel may fill in at right-back.
Athletic Club – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeper – Agirrezabala
- Defenders – De Marcos, Unai Nunez, Alvarez, Berchiche
- Midfielders – Mikel Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta, Unai GOmez
- Forwards – Maroan Sannadi, Álvaro Djaló, Álex Berenguer
Manchester United vs Athletic Club: Prediction
In their five previous encounters, Man United and Athletic Club have combined for 22 goals, averaging 4.4 goals per game, with the Red Devils scoring 12 and conceding 10. Every match has seen at least three goals, and Thursday could see another high-scoring affair.
Athletic must improve their performance in the final third and challenge a United defense that has kept just two clean sheets in their last nine games. However, with a three-goal deficit to overcome, it seems unlikely the Spanish side can complete the comeback. We believe United will ultimately outscore Athletic in front of a passionate Old Trafford crowd to secure their place in the Europa League final.
A historic collapse could prevent Manchester United from reaching the final, but if any team is capable of such a downfall this season, it’s United. Athletic might draw hope from Lyon’s impressive four-goal performance in the quarter-final second leg, but United is likely to find the opportunities needed to score and seal the tie.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-3 Athletic Club
When and Where to Watch Manchester United vs Athletic Club Match? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The UEFA Europa League 2024-25 semi-final second leg between Manchester United and Athletic Club will take place at the Old Trafford in Manchester, England. The match will take place on May 9 at 12:30 am IST. Sony Network will broadcast it live, and viewers can stream it online via Sony LIV.
Read More: Ruben Amorim Ends Speculation Over Bruno Fernandes Amid Al Hilal Interest
FAQs
Manchester United will be without Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, and Ayden Heaven due to injuries, while Matthijs de Ligt’s fitness remains a concern.
Athletic Bilbao must improve their attack, but the three-goal deficit against United makes it unlikely for them to complete the comeback.
In their last five meetings, Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao have scored a total of 22 goals, averaging 4.4 goals per game.
Athletic Bilbao will miss Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, and Oihan Sancet, with Sancet also recovering from a hamstring injury.
Manchester United must avoid a historic collapse to secure their spot in the Europa League final, with only a three-goal defeat standing in their way.
