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Athletic Club v Man United match preview
Manchester United will visit Spain for the second time in this season’s Europa League knockout round when the Premier League side take on Athletic Club in the first leg of the semi-finals on Thursday.
The Red Devils won away at a Liga club in the first leg of the final four on their way to winning the competition in 2016/17, beating Celta Vigo 1-0 before completing a 2-1 aggregate victory in the second leg.
“We know the two games coming up are going to be tough against a good team,” midfielder Mason Mount told United’s website, calling the extraordinary added-time win over Lyon in the quarter-finals “the craziest game” and “unbelievable”.
“We want to recreate those special moments here, and in the away game first. It’s going to be an amazing game and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Preparations continue 💪#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/zDxhMkLg9c
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 30, 2025
While United have precious little to play for domestically, their opponents are five points above fifth-placed Villarreal and six behind third-placed Atletico Madrid as part of an impressive La Liga season.
Ernesto Valverde’s team have won all six of their Europa League games this season at the Estadio de San Mames, where the final will be held between the victors of the tie and Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt, who simultaneously face each other on the next two Thursdays.
“United are a great team,” winger Nico Williams said. “They have great players like Bruno Fernandes. They have a lot of depth, positional play and people who can play inside [and create] space up front, because they like to run.
“We’re very excited in the dressing room, as is the whole city and the whole Athleticzale family. In these competitions, a mistake or a bad minute sends you out. You have to know how to play these ties how to manage them.”
🔥 Almost here…
🔜 @ManUtd
Let’s keep this dream going!#AthleticMUFC #UniqueInTheWorld 🦁 pic.twitter.com/f3yQoZdYbv
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) April 29, 2025
Athletic Club v Manchester United team news
Playmaker Amad Diallo, who has missed the entirety of United’s knockout stage campaign with an ankle problem, could be in contention after training on Wednesday.
Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt also participated in the session and could feature for the first time since April 1 following injury.
Toby Collyer is training individually as the midfielder recovers from a leg injury, while full-back Diogo Dalot missed the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Sunday with a calf injury and defender Lisandro Martinez and forward Joshua Zirkzee are out for the season.
Come on, Lions!#UniqueInTheWorld 🦁 pic.twitter.com/8ZpUpt3HUK
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) April 29, 2025
Valverde has not confirmed whether Spain international Unai Simon or Julen Agirrezabala will start in goal.
Agirrezabala has been Athletic Club’s regular starter in the Europa League, including both legs of their quarter-final win over Rangers.
Oihan Sancet is out through injury but Valverde is hopeful his top scorer will return for the second leg on May 8 (20:00 BST).
Nico Williams has been troubled by a groin problem but the forward is fit and took part in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Athletic Bilbao v Man United expected line-ups
Athletic Club starting XI: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Berchiche; Jauregizar, De Galarreta; Inaki Williams, Berenguer, Nico Williams; Sannadi
Man United starting XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
How to watch Athletic Club v Man United: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off is at 20:00 on Thursday, with every semi-final match shown live on TNT Sports. The first leg of this tie will be on TNT Sports 1.
TNT Sports has four TV channels, up to six digital or red-button channels between TNT Sports 5 and TNT Sports 10, as well as TNT Sports Ultimate and TNT Sports Box Office HD. Fans can watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out the schedule for matches on TNT Sports, visit the schedule on TNT Sports’ website. Prices for TNT Sports vary. Visit TNT Sports for full details.
Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United stats
- Athletic Club have won the last 4 home matches in a row in the Europa League while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- Athletic Club have won 6 of the last 8 home matches while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In 8 of the last 10 Athletic Club matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 5 of the last 6 Athletic Club matches the sum of goals was under 2.5
- Athletic Club have won 3 of the last 4 home matches in the Europa League while scoring more than 2.5 goals
- Manchester United have won 7 of the last 9 matches in the Europa League while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In the last 3 Manchester United matches the sum of goals was over 3.5
- In the last 3 Manchester United matches in the Europa League, the sum of goals was over 3.5
- In 6 of the last 8 Manchester United matches in the Europa League, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In the last 3 Manchester United matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
Athletic Bilbao v Man United prediction
United have drawn four of their six away games in this season’s Europa League and would almost certainly accept avoiding defeat against opponents with one of the best home records in Europe, including conceding only 14 goals and losing just once in 17 Liga games at San Mames this season.
The absence of Sancet could be a significant blow for Bilbao but Los Leones can be backed to secure a 1-0 first-leg advantage.
