Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United predictions: Tough trip in store for Red Devils
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- Athletic Bilbao are fourth in LaLiga
- United are 14th in Premier League
- Recommended bet: Athletic Bilbao to win
Manchester United are hoping to save their season by winning the Europa League but they face a difficult semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
The Red Devils are enduring a torrid Premier League campaign and sit down in 14th place domestically, but Ruben Amorim's side can still qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
However, they face a stern test against Bilbao, who have the extra incentive of trying to reach the final as it will be played at their San Mames home next month.
Team news
Athletic Club midfielder Oihan Sancet is a major doubt, but Unai Gomez and Nico Williams should both be fit to feature.
Luke Shaw may drop to the bench after he played the whole game at Bournemouth on Sunday in what was his first United start in more than a year.
Diogo Dalot joins Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Toby Collyer, Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir who are all currently on the sidelines for United.
The stats
Athletic Bilbao have won six out of six at home in the Europa League this season, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two.
The hosts finished second in the League Phase with a record of six wins, one draw and one defeat from their eight games.
Athletic have lost just one of their last 10 games in all competitions.
The LaLiga side beat Roma 4-3 on aggregate in the last 16 and Rangers 2-0 overall in the quarter-finals.
United have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions.
The Red Devils came third in the League Phase thanks to five wins and three draws.
Amorim's side overcame Real Sociedad 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16 before their dramatic 7-6 aggregate quarter-final win over Lyon.
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Prediction
United were heading for another defeat at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday before Rasmus Hojlund poked home a late equaliser.
Overall it was another disjointed display from Amorim's side, though, and their only victory in their last seven games was the sensational comeback in extra-time against Lyon in the previous round of this competition when they incredibly scored three times late on to win 5-4 at Old Trafford.
That dramatic rescue act has set up this last-four showdown with Athletic, who knocked out Rangers in the last eight, and the Basque outfit will be confident of securing a home win in Thursday's first leg.
Ernesto Valverde's side are unbeaten in their last 10 home games in all competitions, winning seven of them, and they have been particularly impressive at the San Mames in the Europa League, winning all six games in front of their own fans in the competition this season, while conceding just two goals.
The Red Devils have saved their better performances for Europe this season but they look set to suffer defeat against Athletic in the first leg, although it is likely to only be a narrow one to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the final overall.
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