Comments and predictions for Athletic Bilbao vs MU: The Red Devils' knockout blow
The match between Athletic Bilbao vs MU in the Europa League takes place at 2:00 a.m. on May 2. Nghe An Newspaper analyzes performance, makes football comments and predicts the score.
Latest Athletic Bilbao vs MU squad information
Manchester United are hoping Amad Diallo, Toby Collyer and Matthijs de Ligt will return this week, but all three are doubtful for the first leg.
Altay Bayindir and Ayden Heaven could continue to be absent, while Diogo Dalot (calf) and Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring) are serious injuries and could be out for the rest of the season; Lisandro Martinez remains on long-term treatment.
Among the fit players, captain Bruno Fernandes is an indispensable choice for coach Amorim. The Portuguese has been involved in 29 goals in 31 Europa League knockout matches – a record for the competition.
Bruno also had an impressive semi-final record, with three goals and three assists in just three games. Meanwhile, Athletic star Nico Williams has been involved in at least one goal in all six Europa League games at San Mames this season (five goals, two assists).
Nico was rested for the win over Las Palmas – where brother Inaki Williams scored the winner – but the pair are expected to start together on Thursday. Gorka Guruzeta and Maroan Sannadi are candidates to start up front, while Oihan Sancet – who has scored 18 goals from midfield – is absent with a thigh injury.
Oscar De Marcos – who will retire at the end of the season – is the only player left from the last meeting between the two sides in 2012. The 36-year-old scored in both legs that year, but is no longer a first-choice right-back.
Latest expected lineup for Athletic Bilbao vs MU
Athletic Bilbao:
Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Manchester United:
Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Latest football commentary Athletic Bilbao vs MU
After a stunning comeback to eliminate Lyon in the quarter-finals, Manchester United may be feeling their way into the Europa League trophy – salvaging their title hopes in a disappointing season.
Drawing 2-2 after a dramatic first leg in France, United led 4-2 on aggregate at Old Trafford before Paulo Fonseca’s side scored four goals without reply. The first two goals sent the game into extra time, bringing Lyon – down to 10 men – close to a historic victory. However, that only set the stage for a dramatic finale, with United scoring three goals in the final six minutes through Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire to progress 7-6 on aggregate.
Before that, the "Red Devils" easily passed the new group stage - scoring an average of two goals per game and finishing in third place - then defeated Real Sociedad in the round of 16.
As Europa League winners eight years ago, United have won 14 of their last 15 knockout ties in the competition. Despite domestic struggles, manager Ruben Amorim is unbeaten in eight European games with the club.
In fact, United are currently the only unbeaten team left in Europe this season, with 28 goals. They have also had the most shots (222) and the most touches in the opposition box (458) in the Europa League this season.
With their Premier League position low – only escaping defeat at Bournemouth thanks to a late Rasmus Hojlund goal – winning the Europa League would be United's shortest route back to the Champions League next season.
However, history suggests they could struggle against Athletic Bilbao, having lost three of their four previous encounters. Their only win came in February 1957.
This match also marks the first time the two teams have met since the 2011-12 Europa League round of 16, when Athletic under Marcelo Bielsa won both legs and then reached the final that year.
While Man United prepare for their 18th European Cup semi-final, this is only the third time Athletic have made it to this stage. Despite reaching the semi-finals on both previous occasions (1977 and 2012), the Basque side have lost in the final.
Now, they are eager to write a new page in history after winning the King's Cup last season - especially when this year's Europa League final will take place right at their home stadium San Mames.
Finishing a point and a place above United in the group stage, Ernesto Valverde's side overcame Roma and Rangers to progress. After losing the first leg, they won 3-1 at home to Roma, then drew goalless in Glasgow before Sancet and Nico Williams scored in the return leg.
Athletic have won all six of their home games in the Europa League so far this season – scoring 14 goals and conceding just two.
Finishing fifth in La Liga last season, Athletic are on course for a Champions League spot, with a recent win over Las Palmas keeping them within touching distance of Villarreal and Betis with just five games remaining.
Having had the weekend off due to Barca and Real Madrid playing in the Copa del Rey final, Valverde and his players will make the most of their physical and home field advantage.
Between the first and second legs at Old Trafford, Athletic have a derby with Real Sociedad – who were eliminated by United in the previous round – which promises to be a decisive week of the season.
Latest score prediction for Athletic Bilbao vs MU
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Athletic Bilbao vs MUas follows:
- Sportsmole:Athletic Bilbao 2-0 MU
- WhoScore:Athletic Bilbao 2-1 MU
- Our newspaper predicts:Athletic Bilbao 2-1 MU
When and where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs MU live?
To watch the live match Athletic Bilbao vs MU in the Europa League taking place at 2:00 a.m. on May 2, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.
