Athletic Club may prove to be too much for Amorim's men when the two sides meet this evening in the Europa League semi-final.
20:00 Thursday
Man United enter their 18th European semi-final, facing off against Athletic Club at the San Mames Barria.
Athletic Club vs Man United Prediction
- It will have been over a week since Athletic Club last played when they face Manchester United on Thursday, and the La Liga side take on the Premier League outfit on a run of just one defeat in their last 10.
- Ernesto Valverde has overseen a run of three wins from the last four following last week's 1-0 home success over Las Palmas, while Los Leones are unbeaten in 10 at San Mames, winning seven times in that run.
- United left it late to rescue a point at Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, a result that means they have won only one of their last seven.
- Even so, United make the trip to Bilbao unbeaten in European competition this season, though have drawn four of their six away games in the Europa League.
- While United claimed a result on their last trip to the Basque Country, drawing with Real Sociedad, Athletic Club may prove too much for Ruben Amorim's men.
Score Prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Man United
Athletic Club vs Man United Lineups
Athletic Club vs Man United predicted lineups are brought to you by WhoScored.com.
Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs Man United
Agirrezabala, Berchiche, Álvarez, Vivian, Marcos, Galarreta, Jauregizar, Williams, Gómez, Williams, Sannadi
Man United Predicted Lineup vs Athletic Club
Onana, Shaw, Maguire, Yoro, Dorgu, Ugarte, Casemiro, Mazraoui, Garnacho, Fernandes, Højlund
Athletic Club vs Man United Team News
- Oihan Sancet was forced off in the 22nd minute of Athletic Club's 1-0 win over Las Palmas last week and misses out.
- However, the Spain international is Athletic Club's only injury concern for Thursday's welcome of Manchester United, with Unai Gomez potentially deputising in the number 10 role.
- Ernesto Valverde may make one further change to the side that beat Rangers on home turf in the quarter-finals, with Inaki Williams returning to the side.
- Matthijs de Ligt has a chance of making the matchday squad this week, but Manchester United are without no fewer than six players for Thursday's game in Bilbao.
- Among those is Diogo Dalot due to a calf issue, so Noussair Mazraoui may feature at right wing-back this week. Luke Shaw started at left centre-back at Bournemouth on Sunday, and he could continue in the role here.
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Athletic Club vs Man United Odds
| Result | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Club | 21/20 | 49% |
| Draw | 12/5 | 29% |
| Man United | 3/1 | 25% |
Athletic Club vs Man United Bet Builder Tips
Our Bet Builder tips for Athletic Club vs Man United features Nico Williams 1+ Shot on Target, Mazraoui 2+ Fouls & Over 8.5 Corners.
At the time of publishing it is a best price of 4/1 with bet365.
- Athletic’s forward Nico Williams has been crucial for Athletic, averaging 2.8 shots per 90 in Europa League. He’s hit the target in 11 time in 12 Europa League game and faces a United defense that concedes 4.3 shots on target per game.
- Manchester United’s full-back Mazraoui is aggressive in duels, averaging 1.20 fouls per appearance (1.40 per 90 minutes). He's committed 2+ fouls in 5/11 Europa League games. Facing Athletic’s pacey wingers like Nico Williams (fouled 1.7 times per 90), Mazraoui is likely to be tested, especially in a high-stakes away game.
- Both teams play high-intensity, attacking football, leading to frequent set-piece opportunities. United’s Europa League games have been corner-heavy, with 15 corners vs. Twente and 15 vs. Porto, they had 10 and 13 vs Lyon in the last leg. Athletic Club average 5.5 corners per home game in La Liga and hit 5+ in 4 of their last 5 home matches. The end-to-end nature of this match, with United’s wing-backs and Athletic’s wide play, should push the corner count.
