Preview: United in the driving seat against Bilbao? Fernandes & Casemiro to inspire a second leg victory to return to Bilbao for the final later this month?

Manchester United -v- Athletic Club

UEFA Europa League

Old Trafford, Manchester

Thursday 8 May 2024, KO 20:00 BST

Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League football on Thursday evening at Old Trafford as they welcome Athletic Club for the semi final second leg clash with United 3-0 up on aggregate from the first leg last week at San Memes with Casemiro opening the scoring and Bruno Fernandes scoring a brace – one from the penalty spot.

United need to reach the final of the Europa League this season and win it if they want to play in the UEFA Champions League next season – failing that will mean no European football for the club next season. United showed their determination in reaching the final this season after their display in Spain last week.

United 4-3 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday shows that United can still score the goals and has kept them in the same form they were in last week, which bodes well for the club at this time. Ruben Amorim will want this team to achieve this season, which will be a morale booster for next season after this abject season.

United – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Brentford 4-3 L, Bilbao 3-0 W, Bournemouth 1-1 D, Wolves 1-0 L, Lyon 5-4 W, Newcastle 4-1 L

Goals: 19 – Bruno Fernandes, 11 – Alejandro Garnacho, 10 – Amad, 9 – Rasmus Hojlund, 8 – Marcus Rashford, 7 – Joshua Zirkzee, 4 – Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Harry Maguire, 2 – Matthijs de Ligt, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte, 1 – Antony, Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro

Assists: 16 – Bruno Fernandes, 10 – Alejandro Garnacho, 7 – Amad, 6 – Manuel Ugarte, 5 – Diogo Dalot, 5 – Christian Eriksen, 3 – Marcus Rashford, 2 – Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkzee, 1 – Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire

Bilbao – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

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

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 five times in European competition. United have won just twice, 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, and last week. United have met Bilbao three times 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 been dealt another injury problem with Matthijs de Ligt coning off injures against Brentford on Sunday afternoon. The Dutchman was returning from an injury and could well be sidelined once again, which would be a massive shame for him and United. Hopefully he is fine.

Ruled Out: Lisandro Martinez (knee), Ayden Heaven (ankle/foot), Diogo Dalot (calf/shin/heel) and Joshua Zirkzee (thigh)

Doubts: Matthijs de Ligt (knee) and Toby Collyer (other)

Suspended: None

Bilbao: The Spanish club will keep their cards close to their chest ahead of the second leg clash with United at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday evening. United sit 3-0 up on aggregate and will need to score more goals to take full charge of the tie and a fully fit Bilbao team could change that – maybe!

Ruled Out: None

Doubts: Oihan Sancet (muscular) and Nico Williams (other)

Suspended: Dani Vivian

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

Onana;

Shaw, Maguire, Yoro;

Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu;

Fernandes, Garnacho;

Hojlund

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

Agirrezabala;

De Marcos, Paredes, Alvarez, Berchiche;

Galarreta, Jauregizar;

L. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams;

Sannadi

History, training and the lead up to the big match

United and Bilbao have played five times in the history of both clubs and United have lost three times, wining twice, which was an aggregate victory back in 1957 and last week’s clash. Prior to last week, the two sides met more than 13 years ago with United losing both legs in the Europa League, exiting the competition.

Amorim will need to keep his team fresh for the Europa League 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. They need to win it.

United’s 3-0 victory over Bilbao last week at San Memes will have boosted United massively for the return leg at Old Trafford. That said, the 4-3 defeat to Brentford on Sunday will have done the same with United scoring six goals in their last two matches, which shows the confidence the squad has ahead of this important match.

Manchester United 3-0 Athletic Club

Written by Paul