Manchester United travel to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday looking to claim something from a disappointing campaign.
The Old Trafford outfit have not won in five Premier League games and are languishing in 14th place. With all other trophies out of reach, the Europa League represents their only chance of silverware this season. It is also their only chance of qualifying for European football next season.
It won’t be easy against an Athletic side sitting in fourth place in La Liga. With three wins and two draws from their last six league games, their form has been mixed. It is still stronger than United’s though.
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS MAN UTD PREVIEW
The two sides have played each other four times, with Bilbao winning three. You have to go back to February 1957 to find the last time United beat Athletic.
In recent years, the two clubs met in the last-16 of the Europa League in 2012. Bilbao won 3-2 at Old Trafford then secured progression to the quarter-finals by winning 2-1 at home.
The signs are therefore not good for the Old Trafford side, but they can take heart from how they dispatched Lyon in the last round. Their 5-4 comeback victory at Old Trafford in the second leg saw them make amends for throwing away the lead in the final minute of the first leg to draw 2-2.
United went 2-0 up at Old Trafford but four goals from Lyon put them on the edge of progression. However, goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire in the final six minutes saw Man Utd claim a famous win.
Bilbao were granted a weekend off due to Barcelona and Real Madrid playing in the Copa del Rey final. This means they are likely to be more refreshed than United, who were held 1-1 by Bournemouth on Sunday.
Manchester United are ravaged by injuries, which is one of the reasons behind their recent poor form. Toby Collyer, Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt are all approaching full fitness but this game will come too soon.
Altay Bayindir and Ayden Heaven are likely to be out too. Diogo Dalot (calf), Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring) and Lisandro Martinez (long-term) probably won’t be seen again this season.
Nico Williams will likely return to the fold for Athletic Bilbao having been rested for their last fixture against Las Palmas on Wednesday. Eighteen-goal midfielder Oihan Sancet is out with a thigh injury.
Top Scorer – Europa League
Nessun dato disponibile sui marcatori.ATHLETIC BILBAO VS MAN UTD – PREDICTIONS
Athletic Bilbao Win
Unbeaten at home in the Europa League this season and in far better form than their rivals, the signs point to a victory for the Spanish side.
Draw
United drew the away legs of their last-16 match against Real Sociedad (1-1) and their quarter-final against Lyon (2-2). They will know a draw would put them in a strong position for the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Man Utd Win
United have claimed a number of wins on their travels in the Europa League this season and have been competitive throughout. They always have the power to surprise.
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS MAN UTD – BETTING TIPS
Athletic Bilbao Win
Manchester United may look like a completely different side in the Europa League this season, but this will be a tough test. Bilbao have the meanest defence in La Liga. In Nico Williams, they have a striker who has participated in seven goals at home in the Europa League this season. He has scored five of these. United are always prone to conceding so I suspect they will be beaten here.
Bruno Fernandes to Score or Assist
The Manchester United captain has a strong record in the Europa League. He has been involved in 29 goals in 31 appearances, scoring 17. In his three semi-final games in the Europa League, he has contributed three goals and three assists. He is currently United’s most consistent player. If they are going to win, he will have to shine.
Nico Williams to Score or Assist
On the opposite side, Nico Williams has been involved in at least one goal in all six of Athletic Bilbao’s home games in the Europa League this season. He will be aiming to improve his record of five goals and two assists.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United have played each other four times, with the Basque side winning three. United have won one, while there have been no draws.
- The only recent meetings between the two sides came in 2012 when Bilbao won both legs in the last-16 of the Europa League. You have to go back to 1957 to find the last time United beat the Spanish side.
- This is Athletic Bilbao’s third European semi-final. They have won their previous two, in 1977 and 2012. This was against RWD Molenbeek in the UEFA Cup and Sporting CP in the Europa League respectively.
- Athletic Bilbao have won all six of their Europa League matches this season at home, scoring 14 goals and conceding only two.
- Manchester United are the only side still unbeaten in this season’s Europa League (W7 D5).
