Athletic Bilbao vs Man United: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

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·30 April 2025

Athletic Bilbao vs Man United: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Man United have lost both previous visits to Bilbao, beaten 5-3 in 1957 and then 2-1 back in 2012.

Overall, Athletic have lost only one of nine home matches against English opposition; each of Manchester United's last six eliminations from the knockout stages of European competition have come at the hands of Spanish opposition.

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Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United preview

Manchester United may be on course for their lowest league finish since 1974, but their hopes of silverware, as well as Champions League qualification, remain very much alive. The Red Devils' quarter-final victory over Olympique Lyonnais was one of the most famous nights Old Trafford has ever witnessed, with Man United first racing into a seemingly unassailable 2-0 lead.

However, Lyon hit back, scoring twice to force extra time, before scoring two more, despite being reduced to ten-men, cueing a mass exodus around the ground. Those who remained were certainly rewarded because, against all odds, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and then Harry Maguire all scored in the space of seven minutes, the latter a towering injury time header, to snatch a 7-6 aggregate victory.

As a result, somehow, the Red Devils remain unbeaten in this season's Europa League, dreaming of being back in Bilbao for the final in just 20 days time. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Rúben Amorim's team are now without a win in five and continuing to languish in 14th, despite the fact Rasmus Højlund's 96th minute equaliser snatched a draw at Bournemouth on Sunday.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils' sole focus is on the Europa League, so can they preserve their unbeaten European record this season in the Basque Country?

As for Athletic Club, given that they will be hosting this season's final, they are extra-motivated to be there. Ernesto Valverde's team finished second in the league phase, a point above Man United, before dumping out both Roma and then Rangers in the knockout phase.

After a goalless draw at Ibrox, goals from Oihan Sancet and then Nico Williams were enough to oust the Scottish side. Prior to this season, les Leons had not competed in UEFA competition for seven years, and this is set to be only their third semi-final, beating RWD Molenbeek in 1977 and Sporting CP in 2012, defeated in both subsequent finals.

Meantime, Athletic look set to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2014. Having lost only two of their last 24 La Liga matches, both defeats coming in Madrid, they remain fourth, following last Wednesday's 1-0 win over Las Palmas.

Across the league and Europe, the Lions are unbeaten in 20 outings at San Mamés, only defeated by Atlético on home turf since August 2023, hence why the Red and Whites fancy their chances of a first leg victory come Thursday night.

Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United head-to-head record

Matches Played: 4.

Athletic Bilbao team news

Ernesto Valverde's side have not been in action for eight days, so will be refreshed and raring to go. Julen Agirrezabala will return in goal, having started 11 of the 12 Europa League matches to date, with Spain's number one Unai Simón on the bench.

Club captain Óscar de Marcos, who will retire at the end of the season, will start, as he did when Athletic last faced Man United in March 2012. In attack, Maroan Sannadi was playing for third-tier Barakaldo before joining in January, but is likely to start up front, chosen over Gorka Guruzeta. Brothers Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams, alongside Oihan Sancet, will operate in-behind.

Athletic Bilbao predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-3-3): Agirrezabala; de Marcos, Álvarez, Vivian, Lukue; de Galarreta, Jauregizar, I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Sannadi.

Athletic Bilbao player to watch vs Manchester United

The Williams brothers are certainly the danger men in this Athletic team, with Nico seeking to add to his 11 goals this season, aiming to net in a fourth successive Europa League home games.

Manchester United team news

Rúben Amorim remains without Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Toby Collyer, Amad and Joshua Zirkzee leaving him with limited options. Luke Shaw started on Sunday, doing so for the first time since the Euros Final, but Victor Lindelöf could return this time.

Elsewhere, Manuel Ugarte could be brought back into midfield, potentially alongside Kobbie Mainoo with Casemiro missing out, while Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen are realistically the only other senior players in contention.

Manchester United player to watch vs Athletic Bilbao

Bruno Fernandes will once again be Man United's primary attacking threat, having scored 17 goals this season, five of which have come in the Europa League, taking his tally to 25 in the competition, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Radamel Falcao, Romelu Lukaku, Aritz Aduriz and Alexandre Lacazette have more.

Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United prediction

We are confidently backing Athletic Club for victory at San Mamés, making the Basque side strong favourites to reach the final they are hosting this month: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Manchester United.