This Thursday, Manchester United will be back at Old Trafford after three straight matches on the road. They will be up against Athletic Bilbao in the return leg of their Europa League semi-final. Below we have a prediction for the match. At the end of the return leg, the winner on aggregate will get to face either Bodo/Glimt or Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
Manchester United gave themselves an edge in this fixture with a thumping 3-0 win in the first leg. The Red Devils are unbeaten in this competition this season and have won all their last five at home.
Athletic Bilbao have a huge mountain to climb if they wish to feature in the final, which will be staged at their home stadium. They have three defeats in the Europa League this season and will find it tough away in England. Can the Spaniards overturn this, or will United, on the back of a tough season, advance to the final?
Manchester United ( vs Brentford 2025-05-04): Altay Bayindir, Tyler Fredricson, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Amass, Mason Mount, Chido Obi, Alejandro Garnacho.
Athletic Bilbao ( vs Real Sociedad 2025-05-04): Unai Simón, Andoni Gorosabel, Iñigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Iñaki Williams, Unai Gómez, Iñigo de Galarreta, Benat Prados, Álex Berenguer, Gorka Guruzeta.
Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao have faced each other five times, with Athletic Bilbao having the advantage: three wins to two for Manchester United.
At Old Trafford, there is no advantage between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao: one win each in two games.
In the Europa League, three matches were played between the two teams, with Manchester United winning one and Athletic Bilbao winning two.
