Europe - Europa League
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by Simon Day | in Europa League Picks
After a fantastic team performance in Spain last week, Manchester United took a commanding 3-0 lead into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. That shock first leg victory was aided by a red card for Bilbao defender Dani Vivian, but in truth, United looked in control of the game even before Bilbao were reduced to ten men.
A header from midfielder Casemiro gave United the lead midway through the first half, before Vivian was given his marching orders for bringing down Rasmus Højlund in the penalty area on 38 minutes. United skipper Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty and made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time when he calmly lobbed home following a through ball from Manuel Ugarte. The second half was a subdued affair with no more goals, but barring a miraculous turnaround from the Spanish side, United will reach their first European final since 2021.
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Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao Form
Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 4, 2025 - Premier League
May 1, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 27, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 20, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 13, 2025 - Premier League
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 20, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 6, 2025 - Premier League
Mar 13, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 9, 2025 - Premier League
Mar 2, 2025 - FA Cup
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 4, 2025 - Premier League
May 1, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 27, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 13, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 10, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 1, 2025 - Premier League
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 4, 2025 - LaLiga
May 1, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 23, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 20, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 13, 2025 - LaLiga
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 1, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 23, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 13, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 30, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 13, 2025 - Europa League
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 4, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 20, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 10, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 6, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 16, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Manchester United against Athletic Bilbao : Head to Head (H2H)
May 1, 2025 - Europa League
Manchester United - Athletic Bilbao: Form Analysis
United's excellent form in Europe is in stark contrast to their woeful domestic displays. Sunday's 4-3 loss at Brentford means that United have now lost 16 of their 35 top flight games this season and are now guaranteed to register their lowest ever Premier League finish. However, United are unbeaten in their 13 Europa League games this season and have regularly saved their best performances for Thursday nights.
Bilbao struggling on the road
Following Sunday night's 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad, Bilbao have now gone four away games in a row without scoring, a record that does little to suggest they are capable of overturning their first leg deficit at Old Trafford. Despite that dreadful away form, Ernesto Valverde's side are on course for a top four finish in La Liga. With just four games remaining, they are three points clear of fifth place Villarreal, and with a fairly soft run of fixtures coming up, Valverde's men are in prime position to reach next season's Champions League.
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Manchester United against Athletic Bilbao Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 3 - 4 - 3
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Missing players
L. Martinez
A. Heaven
D. Dalot
ForwardJ. Zirkzee
O. Sancet
Manchester United & Athletic Bilbao Squad Analysis
United defender Matthijs De Ligt suffered a knock in the defeat at Brentford and is rated as doubtful for Thursday night's game. In his absence, Ruben Amorim is likely to stick with the same starting eleven that triumphed in Bilbao, with Victor Lindelof retaining his place at center half after impressing in the first leg.
Possible United starting eleven: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Lindelof; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Problems mounting up for Bilbao
Dani Vivian's first leg red card means he misses the trip to Manchester, with Aitor Paredes his probable replacement. Top scorer Oihan Sanchet is still out with a hamstring problem, whilst fellow forward Nico Williams is looking slightly short of full fitness following his recent groin problem. To add to manager Ernesto Valverde's problems, he needs to choose between Spanish number one Unai Simon and Julen Agirrezabala in goal. The latter has been the regular Europa League starter this season, but his shaky display last week may mean that Valverde turns to Simon on Thursday night.
Possible Bilbao starting eleven: Simon; De Marcos, Paredes, Yeray, Yuri; Jauregizar, Benat; I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams; Guruzeta
Most goals and assists
Manchester United
Athletic Bilbao
B. Fernandes
(17 Goals)
O. Sancet
(17 Goals)
B. Fernandes
(16 Assists)
I. Williams
(10 Assists)
,
A. Berenguer
(10 Assists)
Manchester United - Athletic Bilbao Key Points
- United have won just 2 of their last 10 Premier League home games
- Bilbao have scored in 9 of their last 10 Europa League away games
- United have lost 16 of their 35 Premier League games this season
- Bilbao have lost 2 of their last 12 games in all competitions
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Our Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Barring a miracle, United will take the aggregate victory, but we think Bilbao have the ability to make the home side sweat a little for their place in the final. With a three goal deficit to overcome, the Spaniards will have to play on the front foot, and given United's sometimes fragile defense, that policy could be a fruitful one. It's hard to make a case for Bilbao claiming the three (or more) goal victory they need, but their odds of 3.55 on winning the second leg are too long to ignore. Our prediction for Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao is: Athletic Bilbao to win.
Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao - Other Interesting Picks
Bilbao to be winning at half time
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