Manchester United look to secure their place in the Europa League final as they host Athletic Club in the second leg. They got a commanding lead and its something they will want to repeat.
Manchester United stormed San Mamés in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final tie and achieved a solid 3-0 win. Although they suffered at the beginning of the match, they managed to open the scoring through Casemiro, in a good play by Maguire on the flank. A penalty converted by Bruno Fernández, with Vivian’s expulsion included, simplified the process and the captain himself scored the third goal. This has been known as a defining factor.
Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martínez’s team is facing the great possibility of rescuing a terrible season, in which they have not managed to live up to what the club represents worldwide and have suffered in relegation places.
United are coming off a 4-3 loss to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium and are sunk in the Premier League table. Paradoxically, they are the only undefeated team in the Europa League and the most solid candidate to win the trophy. They know the trophy is theirs for the taking.
Athletic Club’s uphill task
Athletic Club dreams of reaching the continental final because San Mamés will be the stage for the crowning match. The Basque team has a complicated mission: to come back from a 0-3 deficit at Old Trafford. The precedent with which they are excited is the 3-2 victory against United in the round of 16 of the 2012 Europa League.
Ernesto Valverde’s team will arrive in Manchester having drawn goallessly in the classic against Real Sociedad and occupying fourth position in LaLiga. They will never want to let it down.
Predicted lineups
Manchester United: André Onana; Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu; Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund, Bruno Fernandes.
Athletic Club: Julen Agirrezabala; Óscar De Marcos, Aitor Paredes, Yeray Álvarez, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Iñigo Ruiz De Galarreta; Iñaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Maroan Sannadi.
