Manchester United Aim to Complete the Job Against Athletic Bilbao in Europa League Semi-Final
Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Thursday evening to face Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg in Spain. This strong advantage puts them in pole position to secure a spot in the final, set to take place at Bilbao’s own San Mames Stadium.
Match Overview
Before United’s visit, Bilbao had won all six of their Europa League home games this season and hadn’t lost at San Mames in over eight months. However, goals from Bruno Fernandes (twice) and Casemiro gave the Red Devils a dominant win over the 10-man hosts. United are now unbeaten in 13 Europa League matches this season (eight wins and five draws), and could become just the second English team after Chelsea in 2018-19 to reach the final without losing a match.
Despite the advantage, head coach Ruben Amorim cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that "anything can happen in one game." But United’s momentum was dented by a 4-3 Premier League loss to Brentford, a match that featured their youngest starting XI in league history.
United’s poor league form continues, sitting 15th with 16 losses in 35 games, ensuring their lowest Premier League points tally ever. Finishing no higher than 12th, their only path to the Champions League next season lies in winning the Europa League.
History is on United's side: every team (133 in total) that has won the away leg of a Europa League knockout tie by three or more goals has progressed. Additionally, United are unbeaten in their last 11 Europa League home matches since a loss to Real Sociedad in 2022.
Athletic’s Uphill Battle
Athletic Bilbao last reached a European final in 2011-12, and now face a daunting task in Manchester. Their domestic campaign is also faltering, with just five wins in their last 14 La Liga games, putting their top-four hopes in jeopardy. They are only three points ahead of Villarreal with four league games left.
Last weekend, Bilbao drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad, managing just one shot on target. Their attacking struggles persist—they’ve failed to score in six of their past nine matches, including two of their last three Europa League games. Manager Ernesto Valverde acknowledged the difficulties of juggling domestic and European commitments.
Bilbao would need a historic comeback to progress, becoming only the second side ever to overturn a three-goal home defeat in European competition, following Olympiakos in last season’s Conference League. They’ll also hope to avoid losing both legs of a European knockout tie for only the third time in their history.
Though their overall record in England is poor—seven losses in nine visits—their last trip was memorable, beating United 3-2 at Old Trafford in 2012 under Marcelo Bielsa.
Team News
Manchester United may be without Matthijs de Ligt, who picked up a muscle injury against Brentford. He and Toby Collyer will be assessed before the game, while Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot, and Ayden Heaven remain out. Chido Obi-Martin, the club’s youngest-ever Premier League starter, cannot play in Europe, so Rasmus Hojlund is likely to lead the attack, supported by Fernandes and Garnacho.
Amorim might consider Victor Lindelof for a central defensive role, with Mazraoui possibly shifting into a back-three if Amad Diallo is deployed at wing-back.
For Athletic, Dani Vivian is suspended, meaning Aitor Paredes will likely pair with Yeray Alvarez in defence. Key players Nico Williams, Oscar De Marcos, and Oihan Sancet are injury doubts and will be evaluated before kickoff. In their absence, Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer could feature on the wings, with Unai Gomez in an advanced midfield role behind either Maroan Sannadi or Gorka Guruzeta. Andoni Gorosabel might replace De Marcos at right-back if needed.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United (3-4-2-1):
Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1):
Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Paredes, Alvarez, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Sannadi
Prediction: Manchester United 3-2 Athletic Bilbao (Aggregate 6-2)
Across their five previous meetings, these teams have produced 22 goals—an average of 4.4 per game—so another high-scoring encounter is possible. Athletic must attack relentlessly to stand a chance, but United’s firepower, backed by home support, should see them through to the final despite likely conceding.