Everything you need to know as Manchester United look to end a torrid season on a high in the Europa League and secure Champions League football for next seasonBruno Fernandes celebrates scoring against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg(Image: Getty)Manchester United are looking to finish the job and move within one game of securing Champions League football next season. Ruben Amorim’s side secured a memorable 3-0 victory over 10-man Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
A return to San Mames for the May 21 showpiece against Bodo/Glimt or, more likely, Tottenham Hotspur is within touching distance, having seen out an early storm against a side desperately seeking to reach the final at their stadium. Athletic flew out of the blocks but imploded after Casemiro put United ahead in the 30th minute, with Bruno Fernandes keeping his cool to score from the spot after Dani Vivian saw red for bringing down Rasmus Hojlund.
The club captain added another before the break to complete a resounding win for the Red Devils. But while United are firmly in the driving seat, a Bilbao comeback cannot be completely discounted, given the fragility that has blighted United in recent seasons. Mirror Football brings you everything you need to know about the big game…
When is Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao?Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 8pm on Thursday, May 8. While United are in a strong position, Amorim won’t be taking anything for granted, especially after his much-changed side lost 4-3 at Brentford at the weekend.
“I think they have to think about the second leg,” said Amorim. “And they have to think more about the first 20 minutes than the rest of the game because the game is going to be really tough.
“There is no away goals so anything can change and that is my message to the players, and we have to think now about Brentford and then the second leg.”
Ruben Amorim is not taking his side’s place in the final for granted(Image: Juanma/UEFA via Getty Images)How to watch Manchester United vs Athletic BilbaoThe second leg will be shown by TNT Sports, which holds the majority of rights for UEFA’s club competitions.
Coverage on TNT Sport 1 and the accompanying Discovery Plus app, where fans can live stream the action, gets underway an hour before kick-off at 7pm. National radio commentary will be provided by talkSPORT, with BBC Five Live covering the other semi-final between Bodo/Glimt and Spurs.
Luke Shaw came off at half-time against Brentford(Image: Alex Pantling)Team newsAmorim’s squad should at least be fresh after he made eight changes for the defeat at Brentford.
However, there are a few concerns, with Matthijs de Ligt limping off against the Bees in the first half while Luke Shaw was taken off at half-time to “protect” him ahead of Thursday’s game, according to Amorim.
Diogo Dalot has missed the last three matches and remains a doubt. Joshua Zirkee and Lisandro Martinez have been ruled out for the rest of the season.
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