Athletic Club dealt double injury hammer blow for Manchester United Europa League trip | OneFootball

Brothers Inaki and Nico Williams have been left out of the travelling squad

Ruled out: Star man Nico Williams

REUTERS

Athletic Club have been dealt an injury hammer blow ahead of their Europa League rescue mission against Manchester United.

Trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Bilbao, Athetic have it all to do at Old Trafford to reach the final later this month. And their task got significantly harded on Wednesday morning as their travelling squad was confirmed.

Both Nico and Inaki Williams will remain in Spain and miss the semi-final second leg against United.

Nico was forced to miss Sunday’s Basque derby against Real Sociedad due to an injury, and watched on as older brother Inaki was withdrawn during the 0-0 draw.

Athletic have confirmed that striker Inaki misses out due to a hamstring injury, but gave no clarity on star player Nico's absence.

Nico is Athletic's top scorer this season with 17 goals across all competitions. Gorka Guruzeta is the most likely deputy for the Old Trafford decider.

Athetic are also without centre-back Dani Vivian following his red card in the first leg.

Athletic Club travelling squad in full

Unai Simón, Agirrezabala, Santos, Gorosabel, Paredes, Yeray, Vesga, Berenguer, A. Djaló, Guruzeta, Núñez, I. Lekue, Ruiz de Galarreta, Yuri, De Marcos, Unai G., Maroan, Jauregizar, Prados, Canales, Adama, Olabarrieta, Rego and Varela