Man Utd - Athletic Bilbao (2am, May 9): Old Trafford is ready to celebrate

(Dan Tri) - With the goal of winning a ticket to the Europa League final, Man Utd will host Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford in the second leg of the semi-finals in the early morning of May 9.

The Red Devils have built up a huge advantage after a 3-0 first-leg win in the Basque Country, putting them in a strong position to return to the San Mames stadium, where the 2024-25 Europa League final will take place.

Before falling to Man Utd, Athletic Bilbao had won all six of their Europa League games at San Mames and had not lost at home for over eight months. However, they were beaten by Man Utd with three goals from Bruno Fernandes (2) and Casemiro.

Man Utd won 3-0 against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames (Photo: Getty).

The Red Devils remain unbeaten in the Europa League this season (W8 D5), and Ruben Amorim's men could become the seventh team, and the second English side after Chelsea (2018-19), to reach the final without losing a game. However, head coach Amorim stressed that "anything can happen in a match".

After their biggest away win in the European semi-finals, United were beaten 4-3 by Brentford in the Premier League, where Amorim fielded the youngest team in the club’s history in a bid to save their first-team squad for Europe. Sitting 15th in the Premier League after losing 16 of their 35 games, United need success in the Europa League to guarantee their place in the 2025-26 Champions League.

Man Utd fielded a young squad against Brentford (Photo: Getty).

A consolation statistic for Man Utd is that 133 teams who have won the first leg by three or more goals away from home have progressed to the next round in Europe's second-placed competition. In addition, the "Red Devils" are also unbeaten in their last 11 Europa League matches at Old Trafford.

Athletic Bilbao have not reached a European final since 2011-12 and will face a tough test at Old Trafford. They are also struggling in the race for the top four in La Liga. Athletic Bilbao have won just five of their last 14 La Liga games, leaving Villarreal in fourth place ahead of the Basques. Ernesto Valverde's side recently drew goalless with Real Sociedad.

Athletic Bilbao have struggled to score, failing to score in six of their last nine games. Valverde admitted that "playing at this level while juggling multiple other duties is a challenge". The Spanish side need to find their scoring form again to become only the second team in history to progress in the knockout stages after losing the first leg at home by three or more goals.

Athletic Bilbao are in poor form recently (Photo: Getty).

Athletic Bilbao are looking to avoid losing both legs of a European knockout tie for only the third time in their history. They come to Old Trafford having lost seven of their previous nine meetings with English clubs, although they did win 3-2 at Man Utd in March 2012 under Marcelo Bielsa.

Squad information

Man Utd have fitness concerns for Matthijs de Ligt after the Dutchman was forced off with a muscle injury in the defeat to Brentford. De Ligt and Toby Collyer, who has a foot problem, will be assessed ahead of the next game, while Lisandro Martinez (knee), Joshua Zirkzee (thigh), Diogo Dalot (calf) and Ayden Heaven (ankle) remain sidelined.

Chido Obi-Martin, aged 17 years and 156 days, became Man Utd's youngest ever Premier League starter last weekend. However, he is ineligible for the Europa League, so Rasmus Hojlund will return to the striker position, with support from captain Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.

Amad Diallo is ready to return to Man Utd's starting line-up after two consecutive appearances from the bench (Photo: Getty).

Amorim is considering starting Victor Lindelof at centre-back. Noussair Mazraoui could also be used as a right-back if Amorim decides to start Amad Diallo, who has impressed in recent appearances, at right-back.

For Athletic Bilbao, key defender Dani Vivian is suspended after being sent off in the first leg last week. Aitor Paredes is expected to replace Yeray Alvarez at centre-back.

Coach Valverde revealed that striker Nico Williams, full-back Oscar De Marcos and top scorer Oihan Sancet - who missed the first leg with a hamstring injury - all need to be assessed before kick-off.

The potential absence of both Sancet and Nico Williams could see Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer operate on the wings, with Unai Gomez taking the No.10 role behind Maroan Sannadi or Gorka Guruzeta. Andoni Gorosabel could play at right-back if De Marcos is not fit enough to start.

Man Utd: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund

Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Paredes, Alvarez, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Sannadi

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-man-utd-athletic-bilbao-2h-95-old-trafford-san-sang-mo-hoi-20250508053907766.htm