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Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd LIVE SCORE: Europa League semi-final updates as Casemiro puts United ahead

Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd LIVE SCORE: Europa League semi-final updates as Casemiro puts United ahead

The Sun01-05-2025
MANCHESTER UNITED are AHEAD in their thrilling Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao.
Harry Maguire produced some magic on the wing before putting the ball in the box.
And after a couple of deflections, Casemiro rose highest to head the Red Devils in front.
TV channel: TNT Sports 1
Live stream: discovery+
Athletic Bilbao team: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Jauregizar, Galarreta; Williams, Berenguer, Williams Jr; Maroan
Man Utd team: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.
Follow our live blog below...
Today, 18:15 By Nyle Smith
Athletic Bilbao's early team news
For the hosts, leading scorer Oihan Sancet is confirmed out
But Arsenal target and Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams has passed a late fitness test.
Today, 18:00 By Nyle Smith
Man Utd's early team news
The Red Devils a welcome boost on tonight with both Amad Diallo and Matthjis De Ligt returning to training.
Both have travelled with the squad, but can probably hope for a place on the bench at best.
Luke Shaw is also set to feature - possibly in a back-three alongside Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro.
Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes are set to lead the line.
Today, 17:48 By Nyle Smith
Blue are ya
It's all change for United on the kit front tonight, who are wearing a colour not seen before this season.
Amorim's men will be in their blue change strip to avoid a clash of colours with the red-and-white stripes of Bilbao.
But the eagle-eyed among you will notice United are wearing shorts that are officially 'clear onyx' in colour, almost white.
Today, 17:32 By Nyle Smith
Past meetings
You have to go back to 2012 for the last time this pair faced off in Europe.
And the history doesn't make good reading for the Red Devils.
Athletic Club KO'd United out of the Europa League on that occasion, winning a two-legged quarter final 5-3 on aggregate.
Today, 17:31 By Nyle Smith
Cup for it
Ruben Amorim has been keen to talk down United's chances of winning the Europa League.
The Portuguese has claimed even lifting the trophy would not "save" United's horror season.
He explained: "'Lifting a trophy won't fix our problems.
"It gets us Champions League cash and games , but we need better decisions, better recruitment and to win the fans back with consistency.
"This is just a shortcut- nothing more."
Today, 17:30 By Nyle Smith
Welcome to SunSport's coverage of Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd
It's all or nothing for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United.
After one of the most disappointing domestic seasons in living memory, the Red Devils have just the Europa League left to save their season.
United haven't had their hands on European silverware since the 2017 season.
And it seems almost unthinkable that after such a disastrous campaign, they're in with a real shout of lifting the Europa League.
That night against Lyon in the last round will not be forgotten in a hurry - and the stars seem to have aligned for Amorim's men in this competition.
Tonight they face a tough test on the road in Spain, with Athletic Bilbao looking to win their first ever Euro trophy.
The final next month is being held at their stunning Estadio de San Mamés - and United are hoping to spoil the party before it even starts.
Kick-off tonight at 8pm, we've team news imminently.
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