Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United will go head-to-head in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final clash at San Mames on Thursday night with both sides desperate to reach the final.
Ernesto Valverde’s side claimed a 1-0 win over Las Palmas in their last outing a week ago, and were given the weekend off to rest and recharge as a result. Ruben Amorim’s Reds on the other hand battled to a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, thanks to an injury time equaliser from Rasmus Hojlund.
Both sides have got injury concerns for the game which will leave the managers with big decisions to make, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to line up.
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Williams should return
Valvered will be hopeful of having both Williams brothers available from the start for this game, with Inaki Williams scoring the only goal against Las Palmas while Nico Williams is expected to recover from a groin injury.
Top scorer Oihan Sancet is expected to miss the game however after limping off in the last game with injury.
|
Athletic Bilbao Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Nico Williams |
Groin |
01/05/2025 |
|
Oihan Sancet |
Thigh |
Unknown |
Valverde Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Valverde shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“Man United are in a position in the Premier League which is unexpected. But we need to bear in mind we play one of the biggest teams in Europe.
“They can win the Europa League in a minute. There are many things we need to consider with United. They are very good at set-pieces with Hojlund, Maguire and De Ligt if he plays, and shooters like Fernandes. They are a big team and have big capabilities. If you focus on one thing you forget about the others.”
Athletic Bilbao Predicted XI
Williams brothers to start
- Athletic Bilbao Predicted XI: Agirrezabala; Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Galarreta; Williams, Gomez, Williams; Sannadi.
- Athletic Bilbao Predicted Substitutes: Simon (GK), Boiro (DEF), Lekue (DEF), Nunez (DEF), Yeray (DEF), Paredes (DEF), Gorosabel (DEF), Vesga (MID), Prados (MID), Canales (MID), Djalo (FWD), Guruzeta (FWD).
With Inaki and Nico both fit, they Spanish and Ghanaian siblings should start on either flank to cause Man Utd issues. Unai Gomez is likely to come into the side in place of Sancet in the number ten role too.
Former Spain number one Unai Simon, who earns £70,000-a-week, is likely to continue on the bench, however.
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Man Utd Team News
Dalot ruled out of tie
Man Utd have been rocked by news that Diogo Dalot will likely miss the rest of the season with a calf injury, leaving Amorim with limited options at wing-back. Luke Shaw completed 90 minutes for the first time in over a year for Man Utd at the weekend.
Amad Diallo and Matthijs De Ligt have returned to training, but this game will likely come too soon for him, along with Toby Collyer. Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven and Joshua Zirkzee are out of the game, while Chido Obi is ineligible.
|
Man Utd Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Matthijs De Ligt |
Ankle |
01/05/2025 |
|
Amad Diallo |
Ankle |
01/05/2025 |
|
Toby Collyer |
Leg |
04/05/2025 |
|
Ayden Heaven |
Ankle |
04/05/2025 |
|
Diogo Dalot |
Calf |
25/05/2025 |
|
Joshua Zirkzee |
Hamstring |
01/06/2025 |
|
Lisandro Martinez |
Knee |
01/01/2026 |
|
Chido Obi |
Ineligible |
N/A |
Amorim Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Amorim shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“To start, no, but they [De Ligt and Amad] can be in the squad for the game. The rest of the players, we have the game tomorrow and we train here on Friday. We need to prepare for the next game against Brentford. We have brought young kids to prepare for the next game.”
Man Utd Predicted XI
Shaw to start again
- Man Utd Predicted XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes.
- Man Utd Predicted Substitutes: Bayindir (GK), Kamason (DEF), Evans (DEF), Fredricson (DEF), Lindelof (DEF), Amass (DEF), De Ligt (DEF), Mainoo (MID), Mount (MID), Eriksen (MID), Amad (FWD), Mantato (FWD).
Amorim is likely to go with a known lineup for this game to retain continuity, and Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro being paired in midfield allows for defensive solidity too.
Amad could return to the bench too, while £595,000-a-week trio De Ligt, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount could join him to add depth to the team, while youngster Bendito Mantato could make his first-team debut.
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