Preview: Amorim will need to get United firing in Bilbao! Hojlund’s goal against Bournemouth could be the confidence he has needed all season!

Athletic Club -v- Manchester United

UEFA Europa League

San Mamés, Bilbao

Thursday 1 May 2024, KO 20:00 BST

Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League action on Thursday evening as they travel to San Mamés to face Athletic Club in the semi final first leg match. United are undefeated in the Europa League this season and are the only team in ay European competition to be undefeated, which put United is a good place, at least for now.

Ruben Amorim’s side have played better football in Europe this season than they have in the Premier League or any other competition. United will need to lift the Europa League this season in order to participate in a European competition next season as they look to have their worst ever season in the Premier League since it began.

United are unlikely to finish above 11th place in the Premier League thin season and that is being generous. The club will then embark on an important summer for the club as answers to United’s problems will need to be found and a number of players will need to be signed for the club, betting the chemistry in the squad, which is poor.

United – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Bournemouth 1-1 D, Wolves 1-0 L, Lyon 5-4 W, Newcastle 4-1 L, Lyon 2-2 D, City 0-0 D

Goals: 17 – Bruno Fernandes, 10 – Alejandro Garnacho, 9 – Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, 8 – Marcus Rashford, 7 – Joshua Zirkzee, 4 – Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Harry Maguire, 3 – Casemiro, 2 – Matthijs de Ligt, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte, 1 – Antony, Jonny Evans, Leny Yoro

Assists: 16 – Bruno Fernandes, 9 – Alejandro Garnacho, 7 – Amad, 5 – Diogo Dalot, 4 – Christian Eriksen, 3 – Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte, 2 – Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkzee, 1 – Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire

Bilbao – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Las Palmas 1-0 W, Real Madrid 1-0 L, Rangers 2-0 W, Raya Vallecano 3-1 W, Rangers 0-0 D, Villarreal 0-0 D

Goals: 17 – Oihan Sancet, 11 – Nico Williams, Iñaki Williams, 7 – Gorka Guruzeta, 5 – Álex Berenguer, 4 – Aitor Paredes, 3 – Daniel Vivian, 2 – Yeray Álvarez, Unai Gómez, Mikel Jauregizar, Beñat Prados, 1 – Yuri Berchiche, Adama Boiro, Óscar de Marcos, Álvaro Djaló, Javi Martón, Maroan Sannadi, Nico Serrano

Assists: 10 – Álex Berenguer, 9 – Iñaki Williams, 7 – Iñaki Williams, 6 – Óscar de Marcos, 5 – Gorka Guruzeta, 4 – Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, 3 – Yuri Berchiche, Unai Gómez, Mikel Jauregizar, Oihan Sancet, Maroan Sannadi, 2 – Andoni Gorosabel, Unai Núñez, 1 – Adama Boiro, Aitor Paredes, Beñat Prados

Previous Meetings & Connections

United and Bilbao have met four times in European competition. United have won just once, going all the way back to 1957 when United beat the Spanish side 3-0 at Maine Road, winning 6-5 on aggregate exactly a year before the Munich Air Disaster. United have met Bilbao twice since 1957.

United and Bilbao met in the last 16 of the Europa League in the 2011/12 season after exiting the UEFA Champions League. United lost 3-2 at Old Trafford and then lost 2-1 at San Mames, exiting the competition under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. United will need to beat Bilbao to maintain their unbeaten record.

Ander Herrera is the only player who has played for both United and Bilbao in the history of the two clubs. Herrera made 188 appearances for United, scoring 19 goals and 23 assists, also making 170 appearances for Bilbao, scoring nine goals and 20 assists. He made a name for himself at United especially against Eden Hazard.

Team News

United: The Red Devils have a number of injuries at this time with the defence once again depleted with three central defenders out of action and one full back. Added to this, a midfielder, winger and a forward are also out of action which leaves United lacking in strength in depth, which could be a problem later in the match.

Ruled Out: Lisandro Martinez (knee), Matthijs de Ligt (ankle/foot), Ayden Heaven (ankle/foot), Diogo Dalot (calf/shin/heel), Amad (ankle/foot), Toby Collyer (other) and Joshua Zirkzee (thigh)

Doubts: None

Suspended: None

Bilbao: The Spanish side do not seem to have any problems ahead of the visit of United on Thursday evening. Their top scorer seems to be out of action for a number of weeks, which could keep him out of this round of the Europa League with the Old Trafford leg a week after this one. United could be boosted by that.

Ruled Out: Oihan Sancet (muscular)

Doubts: None

Suspended: None

Predicted United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1

Onana;

Shaw, Maguire, Yoro;

Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu;

Fernandes, Garnacho;

Hojlund

Predicted Bilbao Starting XI – 4-2-3-1

Simon;

Gorosabel, Paredes, Nunez, Boiro;

Vesga, Prados;

Djalo, Gomez, Berenguer;

Guruzeta

History, training and the lead up to the big match

United and Bilbao have played four times in the history of both clubs and United have lost three times, wining one match, which was an aggregate victory back in 1957. The two sides last met more than 13 years ago with United losing both legs in the Europa League, exiting the competition at the round of 16 stage.

Amorim will need to keep his team fresh for these next two Europa League matches with United not able to achieve anything in the Premier League this season looking set to have their worst season in the top flight since the Premier League era began. United’s concentration on the Europa League is what needs to be done.

Having not beat Bilbao since 1957, United will need to look hard at the team because they are not a poor team as they are sitting in fourth place in LaLiga this season with five more matches to be played before the end of the season. The job for United will not be easy but it is not impossible either. Come on United.

Athletic Club 1-2 Manchester United

Written by Paul