Manchester United XI vs Athletic Bilbao: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Europa League

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·30 April 2025

Manchester United XI vs Athletic Bilbao: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Europa League

Red Devils will be out to secure a positive first leg result in Spain

Manchester United have been boosted by the returns of Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final showdown with Athletic Club.

OneFootball Videos

Both players trained at Carrington on Wednesday morning, so could be named in the travelling party to Spain for the first leg.

Amad has not featured for Man Utd since February due to an ankle injury that has seen him miss 21 games across all competitions - including the dramatic quarter-final second leg win over Lyon a fortnight ago.

A lack of match sharpness is likely to count against Amad when it comes to the Red Devils’ starting XI in Bilbao. If included in the matchday squad, the winger will have to settle for a place on the bench with Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho continuing in the advanced midfield roles behind Rasmus Hojlund.

De Ligt’s has been out since the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the month but his return to training does provide head coach Ruben Amorim with a potential selection dilemma.

An immediate recall for the Dutchman could see Luke Shaw drop out of the side thus allowing Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu to continue in the wing-back positions.

Though Amorim could opt for caution an ease de Ligt back into the team which means he selects the same back five that started the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last time out.

Rasmus Hojlund is set to lead the line for Manchester United in the San Mames

Getty Images

Manuel Ugarte is expected to return in central midfield alongside Casemiro meaning Kobbie Mainoo makes way. Young striker Chido Obi can’t feature as he has not been named in United’s revised squad for the knockout stages, which was submitted to UEFA in February.

Diogo Dalot has joined long-term absentees Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee on the sidelines but Toby Collyer and back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir might make the matchday squad after taking part in training on Wednesday too.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund

Injured: Martinez, Dalot, Zirkzee, Heaven

Doubts: Collyer, Bayindir

Ineligible: Obi

Time and date: 8pm BST on Thursday May 1, 2025

How to watch: TNT Sports

Venue: San Mames