Athletic Club vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Manchester United face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals tonight.

The Red Devils’ dramatic comeback in the quarter-final against Lyon will live long in the memory of every United fan. Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire all netted in a seven-minute period of extra time to overturn a seemingly unassailable lead.

This week, there has been a timely return to training for Amad Diallo, who has recovered a few weeks ahead of schedule. An ankle injury was initially deemed to have prematurely ended his campaign, but the Ivorian has swiftly overcome the setback.

Matthijs de Ligt has also trained during the week after missing the last few games with a foot problem. Whether Ruben Amorim decides to risk the pair is unclear, but at the very least they should be able to feature for the second leg. Defenders Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martinez are all ruled out.

Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde may have to cope without his top goal scorer this evening. Oihan Sancet has been nursing a foot issue since coming off in the 22nd minute of their 1-0 win over Las Palmas last Wednesday. United’s opposition boast European Championship winners Unai Simon and Nico Williams on their roster.

Athletic Club vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

Form

Athletic Club: DWWLW

Athletic Club remained in fourth position in La Liga at the weekend following a slender win over Las Palmas. Inaki Williams scored early on and the hosts cleared any potential danger to collect their sixth clean sheet in just eight matches.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the club’s unique recruitment model, Athletic only sign players born in the Basque country or to have been trained in the region – an area with a population of just over three million. In recent years, their academy has produced a number of promising talents. That includes Kepa Arrizabalaga and Aymeric Laporte, while current winger Nico Williams an influential figure for club and country.

In the previous round, Athletic Club restricted Rangers to proceed through 2-0 on aggregate. With the final being held at the club’s ground, Valverde will be optimistic that should his side advance tonight, familioar territory can secure them their first-ever European trophy.

Manchester United: DLWLD

Manchester United salvaged a point away to a 10-player Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

Following Evanilson’s dismissal, which has since been overturned, Rasmus Hojlund equalised in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage-time.

Ruben Amorim will be hoping his players can carry that momentum into their journey to Spain.

Their only win in their last seven outings was that dramatic 5-4 triumph over Lyon in the previous round of this competition. United have home advantage in the second leg, which could see the Red Devils adopt a more defensive style in Bilbao.

Last Meeting: Athletic Club 2-1 Manchester United, Europa League, 15th March 2012

Back in 2012, Athletic Club knocked Manchester United out of the Europa League at the round of 16 stage.

The Spanish outfit prevailed in the first leg at Old Trafford as they recorded a 3-2 victory over the Red Devils.

Midway through the first half of the second encounter, Marcelo Bielsa’s side extended their advantage on aggregate.

Fernando Llorente, who went on to play for Tottenham and Swansea City, hit a perfect first-time volley into the bottom corner. Llorente’s namesake, Fernando Amorebieta, also deserved a portion of the credit for his long pass that travelled straight onto the striker’s foot.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were struggling to deal with the energy and atmosphere that was being generated by the home support. A failure to control proceedings allowed the hosts to score a second after the interval.

Current Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola’s cross landed at the feet of Oscar de Marcos. The Spaniard’s shot took a deflection off Rafael da Silva which sent it beyond the reach of David de Gea.

Wayne Rooney reduced the deficit with a stunning curling effort 10 minutes from full-time but it only proved to be a consolation. Athletic Club advanced into their first European quarter-final as deserved winners while United crashed out of the competition.

Predicted Lineups

Athletic Club: Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; I.Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta.

Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Dorgu; Casemiro, Ugarte; Garnacho, Fernandes, Hojlund.

Who is the referee?

Norwegian referee Espen Eskas will be the match official. Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Elias Bashevkin will assist him while Morten Krogh will be the fourth official. Aleandro Di Paolo is on VAR duty and he will be assisted by Daniele Chiffi.

What TV channel is Athletic Club vs Manchester United on?

TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ UK are the channels where you can watch Athletic Club vs Manchester United.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at San Mames Barria will be at 20:00 BST on Thursday 1st May 2025.

Athletic Club vs Manchester United Betting Odds

Athletic Club: 23/20

Draw: 23/10

Manchester United: 5/2

Read – Manchester United’s greatest European comebacks after stunning Lyon success

See more – Remembering when a 21-year-old Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or

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