Manchester United vs Athletic Club Europa League preview: where to watch, predicted line-ups, team news

A place in the Europa League final in Bilbao will be decided as Manchester United host Athletic Club in the second leg of their semi-final tie.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Europa League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

No team had beaten Athletic Club at Estadio de San Mamés in this Europa League season until Manchester United turned up and earned a 3-0 victory with a Bruno Fernandes double, which moved him joint-first in the race for top scorer. Man Utd, meanwhile, are unbeaten through 13 Europa League games this term (W8 D5) and it would take quite the defeat to prevent them from booking a Europa League final spot as this tie heads to Old Trafford.

Despite their commanding position, coach Ruben Amorim is not taking anything for granted. "Anything can happen in one game," he reminded before his side bid to return to San Mamés for the final. Dreams of that final persist for Athletic Club, who are determined to fight until the very end. "The word 'confidence' is what we need to focus on, and to go there with the greatest of hopes," resolved defender Yeray Álvarez.

Possible line-ups

Man Utd: Onana; Lindelöf, Yoro, Maguire; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Højlund, Garnacho
Out: Martínez (knee), Zirkzee (hamstring), Dalot (calf), Heaven (leg), De Ligt (knock)

Athletic Club: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Paredes, Yeray Álvarez, Berchiche; Ruiz De Galarreta, Jaureguizar; Djaló, Berenguer, Gómez; Sannadi
Out: Vivian (suspended), Sancet (muscular), I. Williams (hamstring), N. Williams (groin)

Form guide

Man Utd

Form: LWDLWL
Latest: Brentford 4-3 Man United, Premier League, 04/05

Athletic Club

Form: DLWLWW
Latest: Real Sociedad 0-0 Athletic Club, La Liga, 04/05

Form includes all competitive games in the 2024/25 season; the most recent result is listed first. For statistical purposes, penalty shoot-outs do not count towards results.

Expert prediction

Steve Bates, match reporter: A sparkling first-leg win in Bilbao continued United's impressive knockout form and left them tantalisingly close to another Europa League final. Despite the excitement around Old Trafford, coach Amorim knows it's only half-time, with Athletic Club wounded, dangerous and seeking redemption in Manchester. United have coped with damaging injuries all season but fit-again winger Amad Diallo, steadily stepping up his minutes from the bench, could be a significant player for a game that promises yet more drama.

What the coaches and players say

Ruben Amorim, Man Utd coach: "If you look at our season, anything is possible. We have to understand that. One goal can change everything - the momentum of the game. We are prepared to fight to win the game and not think about the result. Of course, that matters in the way we are going to do things, but we are only thinking about winning the game tomorrow."

Alejandro Garnacho, Man Utd forward: "If we win the Europa League, we will be in the Champions League and we will face next season with a different mentality and in a different way. We know that we are not doing a great job in the Premier League, but tomorrow is a final for us and we will face it like it is 0-0."

Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club coach: "We're here to give it our all because we're on the verge of a final. This is football, and we have to play. What happened in Bilbao in the first leg could happen the other way around tomorrow."

Yeray Álvarez, Athletic Club defender: "Anything can happen in football. Our fans at San Mamés made us believe that we can indeed make it to the final. We haven't changed our mentality or our style of play. We know the risks involved, but with a 3-0 deficit from the first leg in Bilbao, we have to push as high up the pitch as possible and try to dominate them."