Manchester United could right all wrongs in the 2024-25 season by winning the UEFA Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League next season. The Red Devils took the first step in that direction by winning 3-0 in Bilbao and would be hoping to go back to the same stadium to play the final, but they have to overcome Athletic Club in the second leg of the UEL semi-final at Old Trafford on Thursday, May 8.
In the first leg played in the Basque Country, the hosts did threaten United’s goalkeeper in the opening half hour, but Ruben Amorim’s men eventually opened the scoring via Casemiro’s header at the half-hour mark. Five minutes later, Vivian was shown a red card for tugging on Rasmus Hojlund’s jersey inside the penalty box, and Bruno Fernandes duly converted the penalty before making it 3-0 in the 45th minute courtesy of a splendid strike that almost killed the tie.
Learn more about the odds, team news, picks, and predictions for the thrilling second leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final between Manchester United and Athletic Club:
Here is when and where to watch the clash between Manchester United and Athletic Club:
Date: 08/05
Time: 9 pm CET
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester
Where to watch: The match will be televised on TNT Sports 1 in the UK
The Red Devils come back to Old Trafford with a stronghold on the tie, as only one team has failed to progress further after winning the away leg by 3 goals or more in all major European competitions.
Sitting 15th in the Premier League standings, nobody expected the mighty 20-time English champions to finish in the lower half of the league table, but Amorim has been focusing on getting Champions League football back at the club since his appointment mid-season. The former Sporting manager has put all his eggs in one basket and is now only 180 minutes away from lifting his first trophy as Manchester United manager and securing Champions League football for the club in the 2025-26 season.
Currently sitting fourth in the La Liga standings, Athletic Bilbao has a few challenging fixtures ahead of them in their domestic league, which might question their credentials of playing in the Champions League next season. An alternate route to make it to the 2025-26 UCL campaign was lifting the Europa League trophy in front of their fans but that dream seems to be slipping away from the club from the Basque Country as they stare at a 3-0 disadvantage ahead of an away leg in Manchester.
The Playoffs aim to facilitate the safest bets for the game. Have a look at the predictions for the game below.
Total goals Over 2.5 @ -112 (Fan Duel): While the Europa League is considered Europe’s second-tier club competition, there will be enough star power on show at Old Trafford on Thursday as Inaki Williams and Nico Williams Jr. will be turning out for the club from the Basque Country while Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, and Casemiro will be representing the hosts. With a three-goal advantage, one would expect Amorim’s men to sit back and defend but the paying customers can be guaranteed of a few goals as no Manchester United match is complete without a pinch of drama.
Bruno Fernandes (To Score a Goal @ +200 as per MGM Bet): The leading goalscorer for Manchester United in the ongoing season, Fernandes netted twice in the first leg in Bilbao and would be craving to play his heart out in front of supporters screaming from the Stretford End. The Portuguese midfielder has 37 goal contributions already this season and would be aiming to achieve 40 goal contributions in the ongoing season.
In nine away matches against English clubs, Athletic Club has lost seven times, tasting victory only once, in their most recent outing against Manchester United in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League season.
Our Final Prediction: A 2-1 win for the Red Devils in front of their home supporters should keep Amorim’s men in good stead and make Manchester United the seventh club to go unbeaten till the Europa League final.
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