Man United will be eyeing a first leg advantage when they face Athletic Bilbao in their UEL semi-final

Athletic Bilbao welcome Manchester United to the San Mames Barria in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) semi-final on Thursday night.

The Spaniards beat Rangers 2-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, and after beating Las Palmas 1-0 at home in La Liga last time out, have only lost once in 10 games over all competitions. Bilbao are also unbeaten at home since January, giving United a tough task if they want to head back to Old Trafford in the second leg with an aggregate lead.

The Red Devils qualified for the semi-finals in the most dramatic of circumstances, after late goals against 10-man Lyon in the second leg of their quarter-final saw them win 5-4 at Old Trafford after extra-time, and triumphing 7-6 on aggregate overall. An injury-time goal also rescued them a point at 10-man Bournemouth in the Premier League last time out, but the victory over Lyon represents their only one in seven matches across all competitions.

United have also struggled against Bilbao historically, having failed to beat them in the previous three H2Hs. However, with the UEL their only chance of winning silverware and being in European competition next season due to their poor league position, Ruben Amorim’s side will be extremely determined to get a positive result ahead of the second leg.

These two teams last met in a friendly in Dublin in 2023, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Nico Williams gave Bilbao the lead in the first half, but the now departed Facundo Pellistri equalised in injury time, a familiar theme for United in recent matches.

Nico and Inaki Williams are so crucial to Bilbao, as the former has demonstrated by scoring five goals in their previous six UEL home games, while the latter netted the winner against Las Palmas last time out. Nico is priced slightly further out than his brother Inaki (5/2) to score anytime against United at 10/3 with BoyleSports, a price that seems too big to turn down given his previous exploits at home in the competition.

Rasmus Hojlund grabbed a confidence-boosting late goal to earn the Red Devils a draw against Bournemouth last time out, and all eyes will be on him to see if he can follow it up in Spain.

Oihan Sancet, who has scored 18 goals from midfield in all competitions so far this season, will be missing with injury in a big blow for Bilbao.

United trio Amad Diallo, Toby Collyer and Matthijs de Ligt are nearing returns, but the first leg will likely come too soon for them.

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.