Europa League: The European Sun is Set to Shine on Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao

Europa League action returns this week as the semi-final second legs kick off in England and Norway on Thursday.

Bodo/Glimt host Tottenham Hotspur, hoping to overturn a 3-1 deficit, while Manchester United will welcome Athletic Bilbao with rather more enthusiasm than they may have expected after they plundered a 3-0 win in the first leg down in the Basque Country.  

The Theatre of Dreams has been the scene of nightmares all too often in recent years, but a night under the lights in European competition often sees things stirring in Salford. 

Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao come into the match on the back of a goalless draw in the Basque derby away to Real Sociedad, a result which leaves them in fourth place with a three-point lead over Villarreal in fifth.

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller away to Brentford. That result left the Red Devils languishing in 15^th place in the Premier League table, 13 points behind the top half.

The Europa League 2025 betting odds point to an all England final and, while Athletic Bilbao have a route to the 2025/26 Champions League in their domestic competition, this is the Red Devils’ only chance to save their season.      

 

Talking Points

United are praying for Europa salvation

Amorim’s men went down to a 16^th league defeat of the season away to Brentford, and it was as chaotic as many of United’s performances. Mason Mount gave the Red Devils an early lead, but a Luke Shaw own goal got the Bees back in the game. They stormed into a 4-1 lead before Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo gave the score some respectability.

Since Amorim took over in November, only the three relegated sides have won fewer than his six league victories. But, in my view, the club needs to stick with the former Sporting Lisbon manager whether he wins a trophy or not. This famous old club needs some stability and a chance to grow.

Amorim is looking forward to Thursday’s clash, saying: “It’s stressful to lose games, when we’re fighting for a title it’s not stressful. I have no doubts that we are playing better and we understand the way we play, even in this context. So we take all the hits in this moment, in the Premier League, but we are fighting in the Europa League so we need to think about Thursday which is the most important game for us.” 

There is no argument that the Red Devils’ Europa League 2025 results have been much better, but equally there is one man who is standing head and shoulders above the rest.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is top scorer with seven goals in the competition, bagging a brace in the away leg, and he has been the dominant force in the Premier League too, with the most goals and assists.  

Rasmus Hojlund, who has really struggled in the Premier League, has five goals in the Europa League and, alongside Garnacho, Diallo, and Fernandes, he is United’s best chance of a goal since Joshua Zirkzee remains sidelined with injury. 

 

Bilbao are hoping for a Europa miracle

The visitors are fighting on two fronts and, arguably, the league is now their priority. But they have not given up hope of turning this match around. And manager Valverde has hinted that he could have two key men back in time for the second leg at Old Trafford. Star striker Oihan Sancet missed the first leg with a muscle strain and winger Nico Williams was substituted as there were rumours he was carrying a slight knock.

Both are travelling to Manchester, and it will be a huge boost to Bilbao if they can start. The Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, have five goals each in the competition, and Sancet is top scoring for the club in La Liga with 15, and one thing the visitors need on Thursday is goals.

Dani Vivian will miss out on the second leg, after he was red carded early in the first, and Bilbao will fancy their chances with 11 vs 11.     

 

History

Manchester United’s stunning first-leg victory was their first success in four attempts against Bilbao. But the Basque club is in better form with three wins, a draw, and two defeats from the last six games, while the Red Devils have won just two, drawn one, and suffered three losses.

 

Betting Tip

Manchester United are the favourites to win this leg at SBOTOP odds of 2.09, with the draw at 3.10 and Bilbao at 3.10. I think the Red Devils will make it through, but they don’t tend to do things the easy way these days.

The Basque giants, still hurting from the first-leg shock, will bring a whole load of danger.   

   

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