Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has admitted that Manchester United have a major advantage as the two sides face off in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Manchester United return to the Theatre of Dreams with destiny in their hands, ready to finish what they started against Athletic Club and book their place in the Europa League final.
A ruthless 3-0 first-leg demolition in Bilbao — sparked by Casemiro’s opener and sealed by two clinical finishes from Bruno Fernandes — has Rúben Amorim’s side within touching distance of European glory.
But they’re not alone in the fight. Tottenham Hotspur, clinging to a 3-1 aggregate lead over FK Bodø/Glimt, must brave the frozen north of Norway in a battle of survival to reach the final in Bilbao.
With both giants stranded in 15th and 16th in the Premier League, this competition is no longer a bonus — it’s their last hope, their only way back to the Champions League.
United have a major advantage vs Athletic Club
On Wednesday morning, it was announced that four of Athletic Club’s most dangerous players had not travelled to Manchester amid Ernesto Valverde’s selection to face United at Old Trafford.
In addition to injured midfielder Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Inaki Williams were ruled out through injury, while Dani Vivian was left in Bilbao as he serves a one-game ban due to his red card in the first leg.
On Wednesday afternoon, Athletic Club boss Valverde admitted that, with all four players ruled out, United has a major advantage in the second leg. The attacking trio are the La Liga club’s three top scorers this season.
“You are either injured or not, that is how you decide,” Valverde said when asked how the trio were declared as injured. “You can only put players in your side if they are 100%. It is a miss not having them here. No point thinking about them.
“They are key injuries, but we need to focus on the ones who are there. I don’t know how long they will be out. I am not a doctor. I don’t have a clue. I would love it if they were here, but that is not how it is.”
United cannot let this slip
While a three-goal lead from the first leg and the opponents getting hit with a few major injuries would be music to the ears of most clubs, with United, the tie is certainly still up in the air.
United have been known to capitulate at points in fixtures this season. The quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford, where they conceded four goals against Lyon before having to score three in added time to advance to the semis, is a perfect example.
Amorim admitted in his pre-match press conference that he is not quite sure which United side will turn up on Thursday evening, but stressed that his side are ready to face what will no doubt be a hungry Athletic Club, despite their injuries.
“Yeah, it’s hard to say,” Amorim said with a smile. “Sometimes, it’s not what kind of team we will be tomorrow. Sometimes, even during the game, we are one team, something happens, and we lose our minds a little bit.
“But we are improving the way we play, we are more confident, and we are ready to face this challenge.”
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