4 hours Ago By [email protected] (Samuel Luckhurst, George Smith, Steven Railston)
Manchester United take on Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final tonight. After an open training session at Carrington on Wednesday morning , United travelled to the Basque Country and they will attempt to return to Manchester with a positive result. It has been 'Bilbao or bust' at Old Trafford for a few months now.
Ruben Amorim understands winning the Europa League is the only way to salvage a miserable campaign, but Bilbao have the best defensive record in La Liga and will be tricky opponents at the Estadio de San Mames. Regarding the team news, both Matthijs de Ligt and Amad returned to first-team training on Wednesday and were included in the squad that travelled to Spain later in the day , meaning they could be included in the matchday squad. Here's how our writers think United should line up.
.. Samuel Luckhurst United possibly have to play the percentages tonight, which means starting a more cautious team than they would ideally like to.
It is not ideal having to essentially start eight defensive players but it is probably the logical starting point. Manuel Ugarte for Kobbie Mainoo should be the only change. That is a tad harsh on Mainoo but United are not in a position to go hell for leather against Athletic Bilbao.
Mainoo could still have a big part to play tonight, as he did off the bench in Lyon. Hopefully for United, they are in a position to field a more expansive XI next week, when Matthijs de Ligt and Amad should have had some minutes. Ugarte for Mainoo Steven Railston When the starting team was confirmed against Bournemouth last weekend, it felt like there would be a maximum of two changes for Athletic Bilbao, but I would actually go unchanged.
The contentious selection would probably be Mainoo alongside Casemiro in the pivot. Most would probably Ugarte to the starting side in Spain, but I'd allow the youngster to retain his role. Then I would tweak Shaw's position to left wing-back.
He was better when he took up more advanced positions in that role after Bournemouth's red card at the Vitality Stadium and I think he'd be more effective playing there against Bilbao, which would mean starting Dorgu on the opposite side. Patrick Dorgu could switch flanks. George Smith Amorim's decision to go with a strong starting XI against Bournemouth was made with half an eye on the trip to Bilbao, clearly hoping to maintain the match sharpness of his players after a rare midweek breather.
Luke Shaw started and made a significant contribution in the second half, meaning he should keep his place on the left of the back-three. Ugarte coming back into the team at Mainoo's expense would be a logical call. The former's defensive nous could be vitally important in a game of such significance, meaning it would be sensible to partner him with Casemiro in the engine room.
That should be the only change from the stalemate at the Vitality Stadium, leaving Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho to support Rasmus Hojlund up front. Ruben Amorim should not feel the need to change much. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
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