Manchester United host Athletic Club at Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal, as they look to defend their lead following the stunning 3-0 win away in Bilbao in the first leg. Athletic Club conceded three times in the first half last week -- twice to Bruno Fernandes after Casemiro's opener, and also saw centre-back Dani Vivian sent off, which means he will miss the second leg at Old Trafford.
United made a host of changes for their Premier League clash at the weekend against Brentford, where a 4-3 loss added to an absolutely woeful league season: they slid to 15th, and haven't won any of their last six league games.
Athletic, meanwhile, had a big game at the weekend too, as they drew 0-0 in the Basque derby against Real Sociedad. Athletic were second best in that game, as evidenced by them having just three shots all game, compared to Sociedad's 12.
Will the Europa League continue to bring cheer in this Man United season, or will the visitors produce the most stirring European comeback there's ever been? Here's all you need to know about the match:
How to watch:
The match will be available on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, Paramount+ in the United States, the Sony Sports Network in India and Stan Sport in Australia. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date: Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET; 12.30 a.m. IST and 5 a.m. AEST)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Referee: Daniel Siebert
VAR: Christian Dingert
Team news:
Manchester United
Jonny Evans, D, undisclosed, DOUBT
Tom Heaton, GK, muscle, DOUBT
Matthijs de Ligt, D, ankle, OUT, estimated return early May
Ayden Heaven, D, leg, OUT, estimated return mid May
Toby Collyer, M, knock, OUT, estimated return late May
Joshua Zirkzee, F, hamstring, OUT for season
Lisandro Martínez, D, knee, OUT for season
Diogo Dalot, D, calf, OUT, estimated return mid May
Athletic Club
Dani Vivian, D, suspended, OUT
Oihan Sancet, M, foot, OUT, estimated return mid-May
Nico Williams, F, groin, OUT, unknown return date
Inaki Williams F, hamstring, OUT, unknown return date
Expected Lineups:
Manchester United
GK:André Onana
CB: Victor Lindelof | CB: Harry Maguire | CB: Leny Yoro
RWB: Noussair Mazraoui | CM: Casemiro | CM: Manuel Ugarte | LWB: Patrick Dorgu
AM: Alejandro Garnacho | AM: Bruno Fernandes
CF: Rasmus Højlund
Athletic Club
GK: Julen Agirrezabala
RB: Oscar de Marcos | CB: Aitor Paredes | CB: Yeray Alvarez | LB: Yuri Berchiche
DM: Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta | DM: Mikel Jauregizar
RW: Alvaro Djalo | CAM: Unai Gomez | LW: Alex Berenguer
CF: Maroan Sannadi
Stats:
This will be the sixth meeting between these two sides, and the second at Old Trafford. United have now won two of their five games against Athletic Club, losing the other three.
The Williams brothers and Sancet have scored 12 out of Athletic's 21 Europa League goals this season, none of them will feature in this game.
Under Ruben Amorim, Man United have scored 24 goals in the Europa League, just six short of their Premier League tally under the Portuguese.
United have won seven and lost 9 European knockout ties to Spanish opposition previously.
Latest news and analysis:
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- Amorim: Man United can't take Europa League final place for granted
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- Man United breathe new life into season with Europa League triumph
A performance out of nowhere and a result no one saw coming: Manchester United breathed life into their ailing season last week in Bilbao when they beat Athletic Club 3-0.