Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao: Europa League Semi-Final Preview

The Red Devils hold a commanding 3-0 lead following an emphatic performance at San Mamés last week, a result that shattered Bilbao’s perfect home record in this season’s competition. Bruno Fernandes’ first-half brace and Casemiro’s close-range effort sealed a memorable win in the Basque Country, where Athletic had been unbeaten for over eight months in all competitions. United’s victory was particularly notable given Athletic had won all six of their previous Europa League games at home this season.

United remain unbeaten in Europe this term (W8 D5) and are seeking to become just the second English side, after Chelsea in 2018-19, to reach the final of the Europa League without losing a match en route. Despite their European success, domestic woes continue to cast a shadow; United fell 4-3 to Brentford at the weekend, a result that ensures they cannot finish higher than 12th in the Premier League, underlining the Europa League as their only remaining route to next season’s Champions League.

History is heavily on United’s side. All 133 previous teams who have won the first leg of a Europa League/UEFA Cup knockout tie by three or more goals away from home have successfully advanced. Furthermore, United are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches in the competition since a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in 2022, offering additional reassurance for the home faithful.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, face an uphill task. Their hopes of reaching their first European final since 2012 were dealt a major blow last week, and recent form has offered little cause for optimism. Ernesto Valverde’s side were held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad in La Liga last weekend and have scored in only three of their last nine games across all competitions. They’ve also won just one of their last five Europa League matches and are winless in their last three away ties in the tournament (D1 L2).

Their record on English soil also makes for grim reading: seven defeats from nine previous visits (W1 D1), although their solitary win was a memorable 3-2 triumph over United at Old Trafford back in 2012. The Basques are bidding to avoid losing both legs of a European knockout tie for just the third time in their history.

Injury concerns add further challenges for both sides. United are monitoring the fitness of Matthijs de Ligt after he limped off at Brentford, while Toby Collyer will also be assessed. Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot, and Ayden Heaven remain sidelined, and teenage striker Chido Obi-Martin, who made history as the youngest United starter in the Premier League last weekend, is ineligible for the Europa League. Rasmus Hojlund is expected to lead the line, supported by Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.

Athletic will be without suspended defender Dani Vivian following his red card in the first leg, with Aitor Paredes likely to step in alongside Yeray Alvarez. Valverde also has doubts over several key players, including Nico Williams, Oscar De Marcos, and top scorer Oihan Sancet, who all face late fitness tests. If Sancet and Nico Williams are ruled out, Iñaki Williams and Alex Berenguer are expected to provide the width, with Unai Gomez playing in the hole behind either Maroan Sannadi or Gorka Guruzeta.

With United in full control but wary of any complacency, and Athletic aiming for a miraculous turnaround to reach a final at their own stadium, the stage is set for what should be a fascinating encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.