Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United

etic Bilbao are one step away from reaching the Europa League final at their home stadium, but they must first overcome Manchester United in the semi-finals.

The Basque side will face the struggling Premier League giants at San Mames on Thursday, with both teams vying for an advantage before the second leg next week.

Manchester United, fresh off a stunning comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals, may believe destiny is on their side as they aim to salvage a disappointing season. After a 2-2 draw in France, United led 4-2 on aggregate at Old Trafford, only for Lyon to roar back with four goals. The tie went to extra time, and despite Lyon playing with 10 men, United staged a dramatic late rally, scoring three times in the final six minutes through Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire to advance 7-6 on aggregate.

The English side had previously dominated the league phase, averaging two goals per game and finishing third, before comfortably defeating Real Sociedad in the round of 16.

Eight years after their last Europa League triumph, United have won 14 of their last 15 two-legged ties in the competition. Under Ruben Amorim, who remains unbeaten in eight European matches as head coach, they are the only team with an unbeaten record in Europe this season, netting 28 goals while leading in shots (222) and touches in the opposition box (458) in the tournament.

With their Premier League campaign faltering—saved only by Rasmus Hojlund’s late goal against Bournemouth last weekend—the Europa League represents a crucial path to next season’s Champions League.

Yet, history favors Athletic Bilbao, who have won three of their four previous encounters with United, their only loss coming in 1957. The teams last met in the 2011-12 Europa League round of 16, when Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic side won both legs and advanced to the final.

As Manchester United gear up for their 18th European semi-final, Athletic Club find themselves in just their third. The Basque side advanced from their previous two—in 1977 and 2012—but fell short on both occasions, finishing as runners-up.

Now, fresh off last season’s Copa del Rey victory, they aim to go one step further and lift another trophy—especially with the final set to be held at their home ground, San Mamés.

Ernesto Valverde’s men finished one point and one place above United in the league phase before eliminating Roma and Rangers to reach this stage. After overturning a first-leg deficit with a 3-1 home win against Roma, they secured a hard-fought victory over Rangers, with Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams scoring in the quarter-final second leg following a goalless first leg in Glasgow.

Athletic’s Europa League campaign has been flawless at home, winning all six matches while netting 14 goals and conceding just two.

After finishing fifth in La Liga last season, they are now pushing for a top-four spot. A recent win over Las Palmas kept them ahead of Villarreal and Real Betis with just five games left.

With a weekend off as Barcelona and Real Madrid clashed in the Copa del Rey final, Valverde’s squad will look to capitalize on their extra rest and home advantage.

However, a demanding schedule awaits—sandwiched between the two legs against United is a high-stakes Basque derby against Real Sociedad, whom the Red Devils defeated earlier this season. The next week could define Athletic’s entire campaign.