1
Manchester United travel to the Basque Country to take on Athletic Club in Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final tomorrow night.
The Red Devils will be looking to get a positive result to take back to Old Trafford next week. The two sides have only faced one another four times in European history. United have lost three of those matches, including both legs of the 2012 Europa League last 16 match.
They did beat the Spanish side 3-0 at Old Trafford in the 1957 European Cup after losing 5-3 in Bilbao.
Here are three storylines to sink your teeth into.
United looking to do what nobody has this season at San Mames
Athletic Club generate one of the most impressive atmospheres in Spain and have a fine record at home this season. The BBC report that “Athletic Club have won all six of their home UEFA Europa League games” this season.
A win tomorrow would mean they are the first side to win seven home matches in one campaign since Ajax in the 2016-2017 season.
Athletic Club have also been impressive at home in La Liga, winning 10 and drawing six of their 17 home matches. Therefore, United will need to be at their best to get anything from the San Mames.
United’s goalscoring contrast with Premier League
The Red Devils have been in fine goalscoring form in the Europa League.
The Premier League has seen United miss big chance after big chance but they have been much more efficient in Europe.
They have scored a total of 28 goals in Europe this season in 12 matches. This is the most they have scored in a European competition since the 2020-2021 season when they fired in 34.
In contrast, the Red Devils have only found the net 39 times in 34 matches in the Premier League.
Bruno Fernandes big game Europa player
Since the injury to Amad earlier in the season, Bruno Fernandes has had to do much of the heavy lifting in United’s attack.
The captain has always been impressive in the Europa League, especially the knockout phase. His involvement in 29 goals in 31 UEFA Europa League appearances in the knockout rounds (17 goals, 12 assists), is a record.
He also has three goals and three assists in his three games at the semi-final stage. Only Radamel Falcao, Alexandre Lacazette and Kevin Gameiro have more goal involvements in the last four in the competition’s history.
Therefore, one goal or assist over the two legs would see him equal this record and two would see him become the most productive player in the competition’s history in this vital round.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
