Manchester United vs Athletic Club LIVE!
Ruben Amorim and Man United are just ninety minutes away from the Europa League final as they host Athletic Club at Old Trafford in the semi-final second leg. They lead comfortably ahead of the fixture, having netted three in the reverse fixture in Bilbao. Bruno Fernandes’ first-half brace followed Casemiro’s early header, and United were content to see the match out as they eased off the gas in the second half.
Despite a poor run of form, which has seen them go winless in their last six Premier League matches, they will hope for a stress-free evening where a win will see them progress to a first Europa League final since lifting the trophy in 2017. For Athletic Club, the task is made all the more challenging as both Nico and Inaki Williams are set to miss the tie through injury, along with star striker Oihan Sancet.
United have only failed to win in one home Europa League match this season, a league phase draw with Twente, and will look to extend that record tonight. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog.
Manchester United vs Athletic Club latest news
- Kick off: 8pm, Old Trafford
- How to watch: TNT Sports 1
- GOAL! Athletic Club lead
- GOAL! Mount equalises
- GOAL! Casemiro adds another
FULL TIME: Man United 4-1 Athletic Club (7-1 agg)
21:52 , Arthur FerridgeWho would have seen that coming at half-time? United produce a wonderful last 15 minutes to dash Athletic Club’s hopes of a comeback.
An all-English final awaits.
GOAL! Man United 4-1 Athletic Club (7-1 agg)
21:50 , Arthur Ferridge90+1mins: And that, my friends, is the cherry on top. Mount chips the keeper from a good 40 yards to put the last nail in the coffin. A stunning cameo from the kid.
GOAL! Man United 3-1 Athletic Club (6-1 agg)
21:44 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: GOAL! Rasmus Hojlund taps in to kill it off, if it wasn’t already killed off.
Man United 2-1 Athletic Club (5-1 agg)
21:40 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: More changes for United. The goalscorer Casemiro exits with Lindelof and they are replaced by Amass and Mainoo.
GOAL! Man United 2-1 Athletic Club (5-1 agg)
21:38 , Arthur Ferridge79mins: Casemiro makes it two! That is United’s ticket to the final signed, sealed, delivered. Fernandes plays a cross in and drops it right on Casemiro’s head to knock home.
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Athletic Club (4-1 agg)
21:3172mins: MASON MOUNT PUNISHES ATHLETIC CLUB! They have been so wasteful with their attacks, and United score with their first shot on target. Mount gets the ball with a tidy turn in the box and curls it into the far corner. Clinical from the substitute.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:28 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: An extended and frenetic United attack ends with a Fernandes shot, which is blocked by Jauregizar.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:2668mins: Olabarrieta has a go at goal, shooting low from outside the box, but he fires wide.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Another change for Athletic Club as Unai Gomez is replaced by Guruzeta, theoretically a proven goalscorer. Let’s see if he can inject some quality.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:23 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: United are getting clumsy here - Fernandes takes out Unai Gomez to hand Athletic Club a set piece, which Nunez heads across goal, slightly wide of the far post.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: This is Athletic Club’s injury crisis in a nutshell: Olabarrieta, 19, comes on to make his first appearance of the season.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:21 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: A triple change for both sides.
For United, it is Mount, Diallo, and Shaw on for Ugarte, Garnacho, and Mazraoui.
For Athletic Club, it is Prados, De Marcos, and Olabarrieta for De Galaretta, Djalo, and Gorosabel.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:1960mins: United cannot hold onto the ball for love nor money - whenever they win it back, they invariably turn it back over within moments.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:17 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: Casemiro is booked for a firm tackle on Djalo, who looks sore after the fact.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: The latest Bilbao corner goes short to Berenguer, who puts his cross behind for a goal kick. Athletic Club need to be more clinical if they are to turn this around.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:15 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: Djalo has livened up massively in the second half - he wins a corner for Athletic Club which is cleared away. Jauregizar takes a follow up shot, which Yoro blocks.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:13 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: Djalo plays a tidy ball into Gomez, but he can’t quite get it under control thanks to Mazraoui’s intervention.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:1153mins: Ugarte is fouled in the box, and Athletic Club’s attack ends.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:10 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Fernandes concedes a foul in the corner and Athletic Club have a very dangerous free kick.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:08 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: This second half is a continuation of the first inasmuch as Athletic Club are heaping on the pressure again.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:06 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Shaw, Diallo, Mount, and Mainoo are all warming up for United.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:05 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: The set-piece is wasted - blazed behind the goal.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:04 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: An early free kick goes the way of Athletic Club as Dorgu is deemed to have tripped Sannadi.
SECOND HALF: Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
21:04 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: We are back underway, and neither manager makes any changes.
HALF TIME: Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:49 , Arthur FerridgeAthletic Club lead at the break, but there is plenty more work to do in the second period.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:47 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Another chance for Athletic Club goes begging - they apply great pressure around the box but Unai Gomez puts his cross slightly too close to Onana.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Two added minutes at the end of the first half.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:44 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Heartbreaker for Garnacho! Djalo loses the ball in attack and United break - Dorgu plays a sweet ball into the Argentine, who looks to chip the keeper but puts his effort wide. A glaring miss.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:42 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Athletic Club are in a panic as United pour forward in numbers again. Ugarte is taken down by a clumsy tackle, and the visitors are lucky to get away without giving away a foul.
They are just about hanging on, though.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:40 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: Jauregizar the goalscorer goes into the book for a late tackle on Ugarte - he catches him on the top of his boot, looks a painful one.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Garnacho finds Dorgu in the box and he looks to shape up a shot, but Alvarez gets in the way.
Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:3535mins: There is a long way to go for Athletic Club, but that is a step in the right direction and they clearly have the momentum at their backs. They have hardly been without the ball since scoring.
GOAL! Man United 0-1 Athletic Club (3-1 agg)
20:3231mins: GOOOOAL! Bilbao lead from nothing! They play a long ball towards the area which Maguire fails to clear. It falls to Djalo, whose blocked shot falls to Jauregizar, who whips it with pace and placement into the top right corner - his first European goal.
Will that open the floodgates?
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:30 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Berchiche makes a cynical late tackle on Garnacho, but is not booked. He redeems himself, though, heading away Dorgu’s cross to deny another pacey United counter.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:28 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Another set piece for Athletic Club is put into a dangerous area, but again Onana is first to it. He is commanding the penalty area.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:2625mins: Mazraoui goes into the book for a clumsy aerial tackle on Sannadi.
Hojlund’s counter is halted after he is deemed to have controlled the ball with his hand.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Athletic Club’s depth leaves a little to be desired - Djalo is struggling on the right wing in the face of a really strong Dorgu performance.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:2424mins: Check over - no penalty.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Upon further inspection, it was more a shunt than a trip - Gorosabel dropped a shoulder. Could go either way.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Dorgu takes a tumble in the box and looks to have been tripped, but the referee waves it away. VAR may intervene...
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Dorgu sees a sloppy pass to Garnacho cut out and Bilbao respond at pace. Berenguer shoots from outside the box, but his effort won’t have worried Onana - it goes well wide.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:2018mins: Bilbao pile on the pressure in the United area, but the home side get back quickly to settle into a compact block and put a stop to the offensive. Despite all Athletic Club’s possession, United look remarkably comfortable and have had the better of the scoring chances.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:17 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: A great spell for United here. They pour forward again and it is Fernandes who shoots, but his effort is blocked.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:1716mins: Fernandes collects the free kick and plays in Garnacho, whose effort is smothered by Agirrezabala.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Lindelof looks to play a long ball out from the back and puts it straight into touch. Maguire challenges for the throw and is pulled down for a United free kick.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:14 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Onana clears Berenguer’s free kick and United counter at pace, but Agirrezabala flies off the line to sweep the chance away.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Yoro concedes a free kick in a dangerous area after catching Berenguer.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Dorgu has started very well at left back here - he has locked that flank locked down and has already made a handful of tackles.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: A great chance for Berenguer! Gomez finds the ten in a great position with lots of time, but he aims for the top corner and fires over.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:08 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: A pretty tentative start, here, as United are content to pass around when they get on the ball and Bilbao are yet to properly challenge them.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:06 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Athletic Club are enjoying some good possession here, but failing to do much with it. Unai Gomez sees a feeble cross cleared, and Bilbao’s follow-up attack is promptly halted. United looking perfectly comfortable.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Fernandez finds Lindelof with his cross, but cannot quite get enough of a connection to turn the ball goalwards.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Hojlund gets on the end of a long ball and is dragged down by Nunez to provide the hosts a first set piece.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Athletic start us off with some lively possession, but United press them well and promptly force a turnover.
Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:01 , Arthur Ferridge1min: With just 16 seconds on the clock, Rasmus Hojlund is deemed offside.
KICKOFF: Man United 0-0 Athletic Club (3-0 agg)
20:01We are UNDERWAY at Old Trafford, United in classic red and Athletic Club in an all-blue change strip.
The players are out...
19:57 , Arthur FerridgeAnd they enter the pitch through a cloud of smoke in front of a crowd adorned with various tifos and flags.
It looks a cracking atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Ten minutes remain
19:50 , Arthur FerridgeKick off looms!
Ruben Amorim: We must suffer together before we can celebrate together
19:46 , Arthur FerridgeAmorim says ahead of kick-off that United players and fans must suffer together before they can celebrate together.
He will hope to be doing more celebrating than suffering tonight.
Ernesto Valverde: Tonight is a cup final
19:46 , Arthur FerridgeErnesto Valverde has his say ahead of kick off: “This is the most important game of the season, it is a final.
“We don’t play finals usually, this is our chance, this is our moment.
“It is a big opportunity to save the season, because our domestic season did not go very well. We will try.”
A remarkable similarity to United, in some ways.
Garnacho: We cannot drop off
19:40 , Arthur FerridgeAlejandro Garnacho speaks to TNT Sports ahead of kick off:
“In football, everything can happen. You saw the Lyon game. This gives some confidence to [Athletic Club], they can come back. We are happy, but we know we cannot drop.”
Bruno Fernandes chases the golden boot
19:36 , Arthur FerridgeUnited’s talisman is caught in a three-way battle for the Europa League golden boot.
He has seven goals to his name so far, tied with Bodo/Glimt’s Kasper Høgh and Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi.
Rasmus Hojlund is not far behind with five goals.
Fernandes could lay claim to the award tonight if he keeps up his scoring form, which saw him bag a brace in the first leg.
United cannot get complacent
19:26 , Arthur FerridgeOne goal is all United realistically need to put this tie to bed, but we know that this side has a tendency to get lost in their own heads and lose focus.
They shipped four at home to Lyon just a few weeks ago. If Athletic Club score first, who is to say they couldn’t pull off an upset tonight?
Amorim: We want to give the fans something
19:18 , Arthur FerridgeUnited will not be feeling the pressure tonight, says Ruben Amorim.
On players feeling the pressure, he said: “I have intelligent players. They understand that the best thing to do is to put them back to play again. We try to help them. We do not talk about dealing with the stress, they know how to do that.”
On the Williams brothers’ absence: “It is always hard. I don't want my team thinking about them, but [Athletic Club’s] characteristics will change. Let's focus. It is important for us. We don't care who's on the pitch. We need to understand the characteristics of the new players on the pitch.”
The travelling support arrive in Manchester
19:15 , Arthur FerridgeThe Athletic Club support got into Old Trafford early.
Hojlund previews the tie
19:10 , Arthur FerridgeRasmus Hojlund said United know the job is not yet finished.
“There is still another half to play. We go to win this game, not just to see it through, but that is the approach.”
No Diallo for United
19:05 , Arthur FerridgeAmad Diallo has twice impressed off the bench since returning from injury, scoring against Brentford at the weekend, but has not quite done enough to earn a start in the eyes of Ruben Amorim.
Will we see another super-sub performance from the Ivorian?
Who replaces Williams, Williams, and Sanchet?
18:59 , Arthur FerridgeMaroan Sannadi comes in at striker for Athletic Club tonight. He caused some problems for United in the first leg, but was ultimately well contained by Harry Maguire.
Last week’s No10 Berenguer shifts to the left wing, with Unai Gomez taking the central role, and Alvaro Djalo, yet to score in the Europa League this year, slots in on the right flank.
Athletic Club confirmed squad: No Williams brothers
18:51 , Arthur FerridgeSannadi to deputise again up top for Athletic Club.
CONFIRMED ATHLETIC CLUB XI: Agirrezabala; Berchiche, Nunez, Alvarez, Gorosabel; Jaureguizar, Galarreta; Berenguer, Gomez, Djalo; Sannadi
Subs: Simon, Paredes, Vesga, Guruzeta, Lekue, De Marcos, Prados, Canales, Boiro, Olabarrieta, Rego, Varela
Man United team news: No surprises
18:47 , Arthur FerridgeAmorim names his squad.
CONFIRMED MAN UNITED XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Dorgu, Casemiro, Ugarte, Mazraoui; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, Fredricson, Kamason, Shaw, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount, Amad, Mantato
Team news next
18:40 , Arthur FerridgeLineups should land shortly.
How will Athletic line up without the Williams brothers? How will Amorim’s defence shape up?
What has Amorim had to say?
18:35 , Arthur FerridgeThe Portuguese was cautiously confident ahead of the tie.
“Tonight, we have a job to finish.
“Athletic Club are a very good team, and they caused us problems in the opening stages in San Mames, so we cannot just assume the game will go the same way it did last Thursday.
!We will need total focus and effort to keep control of the game, and the tie.”
What we're all here for
18:30 , Arthur FerridgeUnited do not often finish a season trophyless - they would love to add this one to their collection.
United look to preserve their unbeaten run
18:17 , Arthur FerridgeWhile things have not gone entirely to plan for United in the Premier League this year, they remain unbeaten in Europe.
They have recorded five draws, but no losses as they finished third in the league phase and Real Sociedad and Lyon in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively.
Defensive absences to boost Athletic Club
18:09 , Arthur FerridgeWhile there is a mountain to climb for Athletic Club, they can take some comfort from United’s defensive frailties.
They are set to be without Matthijs de Ligt, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, and Lisandro Martinez tonight, all of whom are key to Amorim’s backline.
Luke Shaw endured a difficult outing against Brentford at the weekend, too, and will not be high on confidence tonight.
What happens if United win tonight?
17:58 , Arthur FerridgePresuming United can maintain their three-goal cushion tonight, they will qualify for the final, set to be held at Athletic Club’s home ground, the Estadio de San Mames.
Once there, they will face either Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur or Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
The two semi-finals will be played concurrently tonight.
First leg recap
17:50The first leg could not have gone much better for Amorim’s United.
They broke the deadlock through Casemiro after a cagey opening period, Harry Maguire breaking out some uncharacteristic footwork to beat his man before setting up the chance with a cross.
Bruno Fernandes added a brace, scoring from the spot and again on the break shortly before half-time.
It was as comfortable an away performance as you are likely to see in Europe.
Ruben Amorim set to go strong
17:42 , Arthur FerridgeOne goal should, in theory, be enough to kill off this match for United.
As such, expect United to name a strong squad and start fast as he looks to keep stress levels low.
Predicted Man United XI: Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu, Garnacho, Fernandes, Hojlund
Injured: De Ligt, Martinez, Zirkzee, Dalot, Heaven, Collyer
How to cope without the brothers Williams?
17:36 , Arthur FerridgeInaki and Nico Williams have 38 goal involvements between them in all competitions this season, 13 of which came in the Europa League.
They have been ever-present in the competition, with only Julen Agirrezabala playing more minutes than either brother.
Add Oihan Sancet’s absence into the fold, and Athletic Club are without their three most productive forwards in a match where they will require goals both quickly and in abundance.
Gorka Guruzeta will be among those standing in, but with just seven goals in 47 appearances this season, the 28-year-old has big shoes to fill.
Standard Sport's prediction
17:28 , Arthur FerridgeOnly a historic collapse will see Manchester United miss out on the final... but if any team is capable of that this season, then it is United.
Lyon’s performance in the quarter-final second leg, in which they scored four at Old Trafford, will give Athletic Club hope, but there will surely be opportunities for United to score the one goal needed to effectively end the tie.
Man Utd 2-2 Athletic Club
Athletic Club team news: Nightmare injury situation
17:23 , Arthur FerridgeAthletic Club have to overturn a three-goal deficit tonight, and will have to do so without the brothers Nico and Inaki Williams. Nico is Athletic Club’s top scorer this season, with 17 goals.
Star striker Oihan Sancet is also likely to miss out through injury - he has struggled with hamstring issues throughout this campaign.
Defender Dani Vivian will also miss out, having been sent off in the reverse fixture.
How to watch Manchester United vs Athletic Club
17:13 , Arthur FerridgeManchester United vs Athletic Club will be broadcast live on THT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 7pm ahead of an 8pm kickoff.
You can also follow minute-by-minute updates throughout the match right here with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog.
Manchester United early team news: Will Diallo start?
17:13 , Arthur FerridgeAmad Diallo is in contention for a rare start tonight after scoring off the bench in last weekend’s loss to Brentford.
Ruben Amorim was able to heavily rotate for that match, though, meaning a full-strength squad is likely for tonight. He rested Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw as United were beaten 4-3 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Matthijs de Ligt and Diogo Dalot are both unavailable through injury, while Chido Obi is ineligible.
Toby Collyer, Joshua Zikrzee, Ayden Heaven, and Lisandro Martinez are also out through injury.
What time does Manchester United vs Athletic Club kick off?
17:08 , Arthur FerridgeManchester United vs Athletic Club will get underway at Old Trafford at 8pm BST.
Good evening
17:07 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United vs Athletic Club.
