Man Utd v Bilbao Europa League Semi Final
In their most recent encounter, Manchester United delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final. Goals from Casemiro and a brace from Bruno Fernandes, the latter setting a record for most goals (7) by a United player in a single Europa League season, put United in a strong position. Fernandes also became the first player to be directly involved in 30 knockout-stage goals in the competition’s history.
Manchester United – Europa League 2024–25
Group Stage Performance:
• Played: 13 matches
• Record: Won 8, Drawn 5, Lost 0
• Goals Scored: 31
• Yellow Cards: 27
• Red Cards: 1
Key Players:
• Bruno Fernandes: 7 Goals
• Rasmus Højlund: 5 Goal
Discipline:
• Bruno Fernandes: 3 Yellow Cards & 1 Red Card
• Manuel Ugarte: 2 Yellow Cards
• Casemiro: 2 Yellow Cards
Team News:
This game will be too soon for Diogo Dalot, though he is expected back before the season is up. Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martinez are out for the season.
Athletic Bilbao – Europa League 2024–25
Group Stage Performance:
• Played: 13 matches
• Record: Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 3
• Goals Scored: 15
• Yellow Cards: 30
• Red Cards: 2
Key Players:
• Iñaki Williams: 5 Goals
• Nico Williams: 5 Goals
Discipline:
• Yeray Alvarez: 4 Yellow Cards & 1 Red Card
• Yuri Berchieche: 3 Yellow Cards
• Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta: 2 Yellow Cards
• Daniel Vivian: 1 Red Card
Team News:
Bilbao will be without centre-back Dani Vivian after his red card in the first leg. Aitor Paredes came off the bench to fill the gap so could start at Old Trafford Manchester United welcome Athletic Bilbao to Old Trafford for the decisive second leg of their Europa League semi-final. With a place in the final at stake, both sides are expected to go all out in what promises to be a high-intensity clash. United will look to impose their game early, while Bilbao hope to disrupt the rhythm and strike on the counter. Tactical discipline and individual brilliance could prove the difference on the night.
