Latest Manchester United news as Athletic Bilbao tease early team news for Thursday night with no inclusion of Nico Williams
Manchester United’s Europa League semi-final opponents Athletic Bilbao have dropped an early team news hint ahead of Thursday night’s first-leg.
United travel to the San Mames Stadium this week looking to put one step into the final later this month in Bilbao. After previously knocking Lyon out in dramatic fashion, Ruben Amorim’s men are hoping to provide more European magic this week.
After another disappointing result in the Premier League at AFC Bournemouth, United face their toughest test yet against Bilbao. The La Liga side have been red hot this season with Nico Williams and co. gunning the Lehoiak within touching distance of the Champions League.
Having revealed their training plan this week, Bilbao have dropped a very early team news hint regarding four of their players. Posting on their Instagram page on Monday morning, the Spanish side included Dani Vivian, Yeray, Mikel Jauregizar and Gorka Guruzeta.
Players featuring in such images have, historically speaking, tended to end up being involved in the matchday squad in some capacity, whether in the starting XI or on the bench. In their last Europa League game, a 2-0 home win over Rangers, all but Guruzeta started.
Vivian, Yeray and Jauregizar all also started the 1-0 win over Las Palmas last week. There was no mention of Nico Williams or Oihan Sancet, who have been suffering with injuries recently.
Bilbao boss Ernest Valverde will speak to the press on Wednesday, before an evening training session, with updates on Williams and Sancet expected. For United, Amorim picked one of his strongest available teams against Bournemouth with Luke Shaw making his first start in over a year.
Following Thursday’s trip to Spain, wholesale changes are expected for the trip to Brentford ahead of the second-leg. The Manchester Evening News understands that United hope to welcome back Amad and Matthijs de Ligt this week, with the Brentford game an opportunity to get some minutes in their legs.
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2025-04-28 19:30:00
