Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Manchester United will believe they are already through to the final of the UEFA Europa League following their shock demolition of Athletic Club in Bilbao in the first-leg last week.
Kick-off date/time: Thursday 8th May, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Man Utd Preview: First-half efficiency
Manchester United started brightly from the off at San Mames with a disallowed Alejandro Garnacho goal before then running riot and racing into a 3-0 lead before the break thanks to a Bruno Fernandes brace as well as a header scored by veteran midfielder Casemiro.
Ruben Amorim’s tenure has been a shocking one in the Premier League thus far but it could well be that his first two third of a season in charge at Old Trafford ends in them winning silverware and thus qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Athletic Bilbao Preview: The collapse in Bilbao
Whatever the reason, whether it be tactical or the pressure and hype put on this tie and this competition by both players and supporters of Athletic, the Basque giants collapsed at home last week with none of their industry or technical talent on show at San Mames.
The final is to be held in Bilbao in a couple of weeks’ time and players have spoken of staying at the club this season in order to reach that final and make history, even seemingly celebrating the fact they missed out on a top four finish and UEFA Champions League football last year.
Man Utd Team News: Players returning
Amorim is being blessed with the well-timed return of some key attackers as well as centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who has joined the likes of Mason Mount and Amad Diallo, as well as Luke Shaw, in being back available of late. There is no reason for them to change last week’s eleven.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund
Unavailable: Martinez (Injured), Heaven (Injured), Dalot (Injured), Zirkzee (Injured)
Questionable: De Ligt (Injured), Collyer (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Paredes suspended
In that first-half collapse, centre-back Dani Vivian was controversially sent off for Athletic and he is now missing through suspension for this second-leg. Key attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet is also once again expected to be out and potentially alongside Nico Williams.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Paredes, Yeray, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, Djalo; Sannadi
Unavailable: Vivian (Suspended), Sancet (Injured)
Questionable: N. Williams (Injured)
Key Stats
- Coming soon
Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Since the first-leg, Manchester United have shown their fragility once again with a 4-3 loss to Brentford at the weekend, whilst Athletic shared a predictable goalless draw with Real Sociedad in the Basque derby. United were home and hosed against Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-finals before ten-man Lyon fought back from 2-0 down on the night to go 4-2 up in extra-time before they also succumbed to a collapse at Old Trafford. That will give Athletic hope but, frankly, Ernesto Valverde will be without his two best players in attack in the absence of Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams so United should really book their spot back in Bilbao for the final.
Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Man Utd to win
