Man United v Athletic Bilbao LIVE: Hosts bid to seal place in Europa League final with unchanged line-up

Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United can 'lose our mind'

Manchester United have lost 3-0 at Old Trafford on three occasions this season, which is what Athletic Bilbao need, and Ruben Amorim even admitted that he does not know what side is going to turn up.

"We have to face the game as one more game," Amorim said. "I feel that we need to score to go to the next round, so that is clearly the way we are going to face the game.

“We will have to suffer a little bit to go to the final. We are ready to suffer and we need to be better in the small details.

"Sometimes even during the game we are one team, something happens and we lose our mind a little bit. But we are improving the way we play, we are more confident and we are ready to face this challenge."

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 17:10

Ruben Amorim warns against Manchester United complacency

Ruben Amorim is not taking progress to the Europa League final for granted as he admitted Manchester United have a tendency to "lose our mind a little bit" when the going gets tough.

All 133 teams in the competition's history to have scored three or more goals away from home in the first leg have progressed, with odds of 40-1 on absentee-hit Athletic reaching the final in their home city underlining the task at hand.

But there is little chance of Amorim's men becoming complacent, especially given United are enduring their worst campaign of the Premier League era and escaped with a jaw-dropping comeback against Lyon in the previous round.

"If you look at our season, anything is possible, so we have to understand one goal can change anything, the momentum of the game," Amorim said.

"One sending off, you saw it a week ago, so we are prepared to fight to win the game not thinking about the result. Of course that matters and the way we are going to do things, especially when we start the game, but of course we are thinking about winning the game."

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 16:50

If any team can make unwanted European history, it’s Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United

It is Manchester United against Athletic Bilbao. Although, in some respects, it is Manchester United against Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim unsure which United will turn up and, indeed, if the side who start a game will finish it. They can be their own worst enemies. They may soon be officially the Europa League’s best team.

They might be the Amorim enigmas. “In the end of the season, we can be the worst team in Premier League history with a European title,” said a head coach who has overseen the sort of form that should be impossible for a club with United’s resources.

Amorim has taken just 24 points from 24 Premier League games. United are 15th. They are also the only unbeaten side in all three European competitions this season, showing a winning habit that has eluded them on their domestic duties.

Richard Jolly8 May 2025 16:30

What is the Athletic Bilbao team news?

Both Inaki and Nico Williams will miss the second leg, with the elder brother ruled out with a thigh injury and Nico not part of Ernesto Valverde’s 24-man travelling squad. Oihan Sancet also remains absent, leaving Athletic Bilbao light on forward options. Dani Vivian is suspended following his dismissal last week.

Predicted XI: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Paredes, Alvarez, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; Gomez, Berenguer, Djalo; Sannadi.

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 16:13

What is the Manchester United team news?

Manchester United could well be unchanged from the first leg. Matthijs de Ligt was forced off through injury in the first half against Brentford and may further deplete Ruben Amorim’s options, with LIsandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee and Diogo Dalot among those also sidelined.

Predicted XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund.

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 16:06

When is Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao?

The Europa League semi-final second leg is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 8 May at Old Trafford in Manchester.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. A live stream will be available for subscribers via discovery+.

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 16:02

Good evening

Manchester United are on the brink of the Europa League final as they welcome Athletic Bilbao to Old Trafford for the second leg of their semi-final tie.

A brilliant performance in the Basque Country from Manchester United saw them secure a 3-0 advantage, with the European campaign continuing to be the bright spot after a difficult season domestically.

Ruben Amorim’s side will take nothing for granted, though, given their uneven form, though a young team showed real spirit in a seven-goal thriller against Brentford on Sunday between the two legs.

The visitors would have hoped to set up a tilt at a trophy on home soil with this year’s Europa League final being held in Bilbao, but must produce an extraordinary turnaround if they are to book their spot in the tournament decider.

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 16:00