Match preview: United v Athletic Club

The Theatre of Dreams witnessed one of its most special occasions in the last round, when the Reds came from behind to win 5-4, on the night, in the final minute of extra-time. Now, it prepares to welcome the team back after a stellar away showing in Bilbao.

Ruben Amorim’s squad know that we will progress — and thus secure a place in a first Europa League final since 2021 — as long as we can retain the lead.

Athletic come seeking to avenge the first-leg defeat, and will present United with a tough challenge. So, it’s down to the players, and our fans, to prove that this was no one-off and that United deserve that final spot.

Here is all you need to know about the big tie...

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Manchester United versus Athletic Club is being broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, with kick-off at 20:00 BST.

We have extensive coverage throughout the week, building up towards the big game. Join us on MUTV to watch team training on Wednesday morning (expected at 11:00 BST) and then Ruben Amorim’s pre-match press conference at 13:15 BST, when he’ll be accompanied by a player.

On Thursday, our live coverage begins with the player arrivals around 16:00 BST. Watch for the first idea of who’s made the squad. Matchday Live then begins at 18:55 BST, where we’ll have all the build-up from Old Trafford, including the team news as it breaks.

Whether you're watching, listening or on the move, the United App is the place to be during the game itself, with radio commentary, updates from inside the ground, expert analysis and trending live stats.

Match highlights will be available from midnight.

TEAM NEWS

United are without a couple of key defenders. The ever-reliable Diogo Dalot missed the first leg due to a calf problem and seems unlikely to return before Thursday night. Matthijs de Ligt, meanwhile, was forced to go off in Sunday’s 4-3 defeat at Brentford.

Head coach Amorim tried to carefully manage the minutes of his players, making eight changes for Sunday’s game at the Gtech Community Stadium. Noussair Mazraoui was fully rested, while Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were unused substitutes, and Luke Shaw and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu only played the first half.

Amad continued his return from injury with a second substitute appearance, coming off the bench to score United’s third goal in the game, in added time. His comeback is a major boost.

Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee have all been out for several weeks, while Chido Obi, who started at Brentford, is ineligible for this competition.

Athletic Club will be without Dani Vivian for this second leg, after he was dismissed in the first half of last week’s encounter, for denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

The Basque side’s leading goalscorer, Oihan Sancet, missed the game in Bilbao with a hamstring problem but head coach Ernesto Valverde says he is “doing quite well" and could return.

Nico Williams, the lively winger, played 79 minutes in Bilbao before coming off as a substitute, having only recently returned from injury, and was rested for Athletic’s goalless draw with Real Sociedad at the weekend. Also rested were goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and captain Oscar de Marcos, who played in Athletic’s last game at Old Trafford, way back in 2012.

PAST MEETINGS

United have won only two of our five competitive clashes with Athletic Club, and both by the same scoreline.

Back in 1957, the Busby Babes overturned a 5-3 first-leg deficit in remarkable fashion, winning 3-0 in the European Cup quarter-finals at Maine Road. Dennis Viollet, Tommy Taylor and Johnny Berry scored to set the tone for our unbeatable spirit in Europe, with that being our first foray into the competition.

Much more recently, in 2012, Marcelo Bielsa's side were one of the most impressive victors at Old Trafford in a European tie, when winning 3-2, despite Wayne Rooney scoring twice.

Athletic Club got the job done in the Europa League second leg at home, winning 2-1, with Rooney again the man to find the net for the Reds, with a late long-range piledriver.

Last week, of course, was our second victory over the Lions, as a Bruno Fernandes double inspired us to a 3-0 win at the new Estadio San Mames.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since their formation in 1911, Athletic Club have only fielded players born or brought up in the Basque Country. The designated region encompasses seven provinces in Spain and France.

Their club colours of red-and-white stripes are allegedly based on Sunderland's kit, following the arrival of British sailors in the 19th century.

San Mames has a capacity of 53,331 and is a magnificent stadium, due to be one of the host venues of the 2030 World Cup.

Former Reds midfielder Ander Herrera had two spells with the club. The 35-year-old is currently playing for Boca Juniors in Argentina.

EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS

The other last-four game is between Bodo/Glimt and Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are, like United, chasing European glory in the context of a below-par campaign and enjoyed a strong first-leg victory, winning 3-1 at home.

Bodo/Glimt, however, are the competition’s underdogs with a romantic story. They overcame Lazio in a penalty shooout in the quarter-final and have shown fantastic form at home in Norway. They need to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Thursday 8 May

Bodo/Glimt v Tottenham Hotspur
UNITED v Athletic Club

Kick-offs are at 20:00 BST.