Manchester United are putting their full focus on reigning victorious in this season’s Europa League final, held in Bilbao on May 21.
While the Red Devils have one foot in the fixture thanks to their 3-0 first-leg away victory, their display in the quarters against Olympique Lyonnais is proof that nothing is guaranteed until the final whistle is blown. Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly be reminding his men behind the scenes not to be counting their chickens before they’ve hatched.
To secure their place, a performance akin to what they offered in Spain last Thursday will get the job done at Old Trafford this week.
Athletic Club’s early training session confirms two absentees
One factor which may make matters slightly easier for the Reds is that, according to El Chiringuito TV, neither Nico Williams nor Oihan Sancet trained with Athletic Club at their base today.
Sancet is the side’s top goalscorer in La Liga this season with 15 goals to his name in 25 appearances. He missed the first leg through injury, but there had been hopes he would return to full fitness in time to feature in the reverse clash. He was also absent from Sunday’s stalemate away to Real Sociedad.
Williams is another key figure who can be a difference-maker for Ernesto Valverde, having scored 11 goals and contributed a further seven assists in 44 outings across 2024/2025. Seven goal contributions came in Europe alone, so the Basque outfit will certainly be sweating over whether he can make the trip to England.
James Maddison hit with injury blow ahead of potential United contest
United’s potential opponents should they make the final are Tottenham Hotspur or Bodø/Glimt, with the former boasting a two-goal lead heading into the second leg at Aspmyra Stadion. The Norwegian underdogs can’t be written out just yet, especially given they’ll have their home crowd rallying them on from minute one on Thursday night.
In the event it is an all-English encounter to battle for the trophy, Ange Postecoglou will be without midfield talisman James Maddison.
Sami Mokbel (BBC) confirmed today that the 28-year-old had sustained a knee injury, and while the severity of the ligament damage is yet to be clarified, there is essentially no chance he recovers in time to play again in 2024/2025.
Must say there does seem to be a lot of counting chickens amongst The Reds’ support; discussing the various ways they plan to get to Bilbao for the Final. Am I the only one nervous about Thursday?
Our advantage looks healthy, but we all know United are more than capable of conceding two swift, early, goals and then the only chickens will be the usual headless ones who play in red.
I anticipate a chaotic night: I can see this going to extra time / penalties. Please make me look an idiot, Reds.
Onana should be caution against this Spanish team, they are well organized, I see history repeating it self, another Dutch sack and Portuguese coach take over and win Europa cup. Good luck to red army of Manchester.