Manchester United

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Only Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Osasuna have beaten Athletic Bilbao at San Mames this season.

Add to that the prospect of a final at their own stadium and you create quite a formidable opponent.

That is the size of the task facing Manchester United tonight.

The Basque Country may only have 3.1m inhabitants, but the team from its biggest city boast a squad full of talent.

Despite top scorer Oihan Sancet missing the match through injury, England fans will remember Nico Williams, who scored the opening goal in last summer's European Championship final and has netted in the previous two knockout rounds.

On the opposite wing is brother, Inaki. A player whose pace and dribbling has seen plenty of Europe's top clubs chase him throughout his career.

And that is just their attack.

Bilbao have the best defence in La Liga, conceding just 26 goals so far this season.

Ruben Amorim's side have almost doubled that total in the Premier League, shipping 47 and having a negative goal difference.

United's goalkeeper struggles have been well documented this campaign but their opponents have had no such issues.

Both Unai Simon and Julen Agirrezabala have performed well for Bilbao with 12 clean sheets between them in their 30 league appearances.

• Not a United fan? Find and follow your club here

Also within that backline is captain Oscar de Marcos, who scored when Bilbao knocked United out of the Europa League at the last-16 stage in 2012.

That tie was one of many Spanish struggles for United.

According to Opta, United's past six eliminations from the knockout stages of major European competition have come against Spanish sides.

In fact, their win rate against teams from Spain is the worst out of any country at 31%.

So Thursday's game is probably more difficult than many anticipate.

Manchester United fan Tom Mortimer believes the Red Devils are "destined" to win the Europa League this season - but says Athletic Bilbao will be feeling "exactly the same" going into their Europa League semi-final tie.

Speaking on The Football News Show, Tom said: "The final is in Bilbao and Athletic Club are one game away from it, so I think United will have to play at a level we have maybe not reached so far under Ruben Amorim.

"We have been good in Europe this season, but Athletic are a different beast."

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

The day is finally here.

There is plenty at stake for Manchester United on Thursday, and potentially for fans who have already booked for the final later this month.

As you can see, Ian is soaking up the sun in Spain, but what about the rest of you?

Are you at the game tonight? Or are you elsewhere but getting ready for it?

Send us your photos from Bilbao and beyond

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag says "mentally strong" Rasmus Hojlund can still come good at Old Trafford.

Hojlund, 22, scored only his fourth Premier League goal of the season when equalising late on at Bournemouth on Sunday.

However, his lack of output has led United to add both Wolves striker Matheus Cunha and Ipswich's Liam Delap to their summer shortlist.

Asked how likely it is Hojlund will succeed at Old Trafford, Van der Gaag told BBC Sport: "Yes, of course there's hope. Why? Because he's only 22.

"People are very quick to say: 'Oh, he's not good enough because he's not scoring, because blah blah'! But it is age, pressure of comparisons to strikers of the past and it's a price tag - everything together."

• Not a United fan? Find and follow your club here

The Denmark striker has struggled for consistent goals since arriving in Manchester for £72 million in August 2023. Alongside boss Erik ten Hag, Van der Gaag saw first hand how Hojlund tried to adapt.

"His first year at United was not the easiest one, but he scored goals, and I think in the end it was very positive," he said. "But young players need a strong core of experience players to help them out.

"If you look at Rasmus, Kobbie (Mainoo) and Alejandro (Garnacho), they are still young players but United is associated with a high level of excellence and people expect more from them.

When I was at United, we had Benny McCarthy coaching the strikers and he played an important role with Rasmus. We saw his work rate, his technical qualities, [the fact] he is a good learner and thought he had everything.

"He is also mentally strong. I am not just trying to defend him – I really think in the end he will be OK."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag says criticism from "media and social media" has impacted everyone at Old Trafford, including goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Onana was described as "one of the worst keepers" in the club's history by the former United midfielder Nemanja Matic.

The Cameroon international has made nine errors leading to goals in all competitions and Van der Gaag thinks the pressure weighs heavily.

"It's an emotional rollercoaster [being a goalkeeper for United]," he said. "That's what I think looking from the outside now but from last year's experience as well."

"Then you need results as well. Coaches, players need results. You need consistency from the team. I already knew Andre from Ajax and he's a good goalkeeper. He showed that at Inter as well.

Onana was dropped from Ruben Amorim's squad for their Premier League defeat at Newcastle after making two mistakes in the Europa League.

Van der Gaag, who worked with Onana at Ajax and at United with Erik ten Hag, says player emotions must be understood.

"We cannot forget the impact Man Utd has on everyone," he said. "That criticism is there, excellence is expected and players have to deal with that. The other part is that there will always be comparisons.

"He is under pressure and scrutiny but he has overcome many challenges in his career before. At the start of last season, everyone was saying he was United's best and most consistent player so it can change quickly."

As for Van der Gaag, after working with Ten Hag, he is now seeking to find his own path as a manager.

"We've known each other for five years, working closely, so the connection is always there," he said.

"I'm grateful to Erik for taking me to Manchester United—it was a huge opportunity. We've talked about our feelings, and I told him it was the right time for me to start again as a head coach. It was disappointing for both of us because our relationship was strong, but sometimes life changes, and you follow your own path.

"I learned technical awareness, how prepared he is and how to be stoic under pressure from him.

"We had a good conversation, as always, and then you move on. I want to be the head coach again, face the pressure, and experience the challenges, even knowing that losing four games can bring problems.

"That's part of a manager's life, and I want to be on my own again."

Image source, Daily Express and Daily Star

Manchester United's hunt for silverware continues today as Ruben Amorim's men travel to Athletic Bilbao for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Thursday's back pages look ahead to the game in Spain and Amorim's pre-match comments that winning the competition still would not make up for such a poor domestic campaign.

And we will be building up to tonight's game on this page throughout the day.

Manchester United and Juventus are competing to try to sign 25-year-old Brazil midfielder Ederson from Atalanta. (Tuttosport - in Italian, external)

French forward Enzo Kana-Biyik, 18, is set to finalise a move to United on a free transfer from Le Havre. (Manchester Evening News, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Marcus Rashford has flown to Dubai to complete the first part of his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury as he aims to be fit for England's matches in June.

The Manchester United forward, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has suffered a significant muscular injury that could yet keep him out for the rest of the season.

And BBC Sport has learned Rashford has commenced a warm-weather recovery programme in the Middle East with a view to accelerating his return to action.

It is anticipated the 27-year-old will miss the rest of Villa's season, but there remains a small chance he could still feature before their campaign ends.

Rashford is also determined to prove his fitness for England's World Cup Group K qualifier in Andorra on 7 June, and a Wembley friendly against Senegal three days later.

After a period in the international wilderness under Gareth Southgate, current England head coach Thomas Tuchel handed him an instant call-up to his first squad and started him in both games against Latvia and Albania.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte believes "winner" Casemiro is helping him improve.

The five-time Champions League winner has played a key role for United in recent months - after initially looking out of favour under Ruben Amorim - and Ugarte says he is developing a strong relationship with his midfield partner.

"I'm learning a lot," Ugarte said before United's Europa League semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao. "I try to copy as much as I can, both on and off the pitch, as it is teaching me to win."

"I have a very good relationship with Casemiro and I feel very comfortable playing with him. Up until now I keep learning [from him] and I am very happy."

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amorim confirmed that both Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt will be "in the squad for the game."

• Rasmus Hojlund is likely to start on Thursday and Amorim believes he "is really anxious to score in every game," and that, after scoring a late equaliser at Bournemouth, he is "in a good moment."

• On the significance of the Europa League to United: "Nothing is going to save our season but this can be huge for us. Winning a trophy and getting in to the Champions League for next season would change a lot of things in our club."

• Despite the expectations of winning a major trophy, Amorim feels his players are "prepared" to deal with the pressure: "I don't see that as an issue. They are excited to be here and they are capable of winning."

• United's form in Europe has produced much better results than in the Premier League and Amorim says his side are looking to become more "consistent" across all competitions.

• On Athletic Bilbao: "They are really strong as a team. For a Spanish team they are really aggressive and they have great players like Nico Williams. They have the best defence in Spain and that will make things difficult for us as we are not scoring many goals."

Listen to full commentary of Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United from 20:00 BST on Thursday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Athletic Bilbao's main man Nico Williams says it would be "amazing" to end the season by winning the Europa League final at their own stadium.

The 22-year-old winger is one of Europe's hottest prospects but has remained loyal to his Basque routes.

Williams was part of the Athletic team that ended the club's 40-year trophy drought by winning the Copa del Rey last season, but he now has his sights set on European glory.

"Everyone dreams of playing European games," he said. "Lifting the trophy in San Mames - every kid dreams of that - and now is a very good opportunity to write history. Hopefully we can get there, but the dream is never ending."

Williams joined Athletic at 10, making his debut in 2021 and announced himself to the world with his performances in helping Spain win Euro 2024, with interest swelling from across the continent.

"Nico is a very important player for us," said manager Ernesto Valverde.

"There was some speculation, but he decided to continue playing for Athletic and we hope that he stays for many years."

Manchester United have already been to the Basque country this season.

Now they return with much more at stake, hoping this is not the only time they will visit before the end of May.

Are you travelling to Bilbao? How are you getting there? Plane, train or car?

Have you already booked your travel for the final?

Send us your pictures and plans for the game

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United duo Chido Obi and Sekou Kone look certain to be involved at Brentford on Sunday after being named in Ruben Amorim's Europa League travelling squad even though they cannot play.

Obi was signed from Arsenal and Kone from Mali-based club Guidars earlier this season so they could not be named on the club's 'B' list for European competition.

However, Amorim has elected to keep his squad in Spain overnight after the first leg of their Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao and is planning a full training session on Friday before returning to Manchester.

Amorim is expected to make a significant number of changes for the Brentford game and his decision to involve Chido and Kone this week indicates they will play some part at Gtech Community Stadium.

Seventeen-year-old Chido made his sixth substitute appearance for United in the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on 27 April, while Kone, 19, is yet to make his debut.

Image source, Getty Images

With a season-defining week ahead for Ruben Amorim, we asked you for the one thing nobody is talking about at Old Trafford.

Here are some of your replies:

Norman: United are unbeaten in Europe.

Drago: We are the only unbeaten side across all three European competitions. That is a brilliant stat. It perfectly demonstrates the utter insanity that is Manchester United and I expect to see us in the final.

Neil: Nobody ever mentions our injury list. I watched Arsenal against Paris St-Germain and they kept saying about Thomas Partey being missing. We have lost half of our starting line-up for two seasons now and it only gets mentioned in passing. Other teams miss one or two players and it is the end of the world for them. It drives me crazy.

Clifford: We shouldn't have got rid of Scott McTominay. Like all of the other players we have sold, he has done very well since leaving, and we could have done with his drive and goalscoring ability this season.

Bekezela: We have too many defenders. While Andre Onana's blunders have grabbed headlines, the defence has not done a good job of covering the goalkeeper. Is it a coaching issue? Or do the players need time to gel?

Amish: The players and manager face all the criticism but what about United's recruitment. It's a shame that one of the biggest clubs has never had data analysis inputs in their scouting decisions. What else are they missing?