Manchester United Receive Major Boost Ahead of Europa League Decider as Athletic Club’s Injury Woes Deepen
Manchester United have received a timely boost ahead of their crucial second-leg Europa League semi-final clash against Athletic Club, with the Spanish side grappling with a mounting injury crisis—particularly in their forward line.
The Red Devils head into Thursday’s tie at Old Trafford with a commanding 3-0 advantage, a scoreline few predicted given the early pressure United faced in the opening leg. Athletic Club came flying out of the blocks at San Mamés, creating several early chances and forcing goalkeeper André Onana into key saves. However, Rúben Amorim’s side remained composed under the barrage and eventually seized control.
A towering header from Casemiro broke the deadlock before two smart finishes from Bruno Fernandes extended United’s lead. The clinical nature of their performance contrasted sharply with that of the hosts, who lacked a cutting edge despite their early dominance.
Now, Athletic’s woes have deepened with multiple injuries to key attackers, casting doubt on their ability to mount a comeback at Old Trafford. Manager Ernesto Valverde confirmed in his pre-match press conference that leading striker Iñaki Williams remains a major doubt after limping off in the first leg. His brother Nico Williams, who has been in scintillating form this season, is also nursing a minor hamstring strain and is rated 50-50 for the return fixture.
Adding to the Basque side’s concerns, backup forward Gorka Guruzeta is out with a thigh issue, while winger Álex Berenguer missed training on Monday due to illness. These absences could leave Athletic Club severely depleted in attack at a time when they desperately need goals.
For United, the news comes as a welcome relief. Despite their dominant first-leg win, Amorim has stressed that the tie is not over, urging his players to avoid complacency.
“We respect Athletic Club. They showed their quality in the first 30 minutes last week,” Amorim said. “But we stayed disciplined and made our chances count. We must do the same again at home.”
The Portuguese boss has managed to turn around United’s European campaign since taking the reins earlier this season. What initially looked like a turbulent season has now been steadied by a string of composed continental performances, with United now just 90 minutes away from their first European final since 2021.
Injury concerns remain for United as well. Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martínez are still unavailable, while doubts remain over the fitness of Diogo Dalot and Toby Collyer. However, the form of Bruno Fernandes and the experience of players like Casemiro and Raphaël Varane have given fans belief that the squad can hold their own even in the absence of key personnel.
A packed Old Trafford is expected on Thursday night, with supporters sensing that a return to European glory is within reach. The club’s supporters, starved of success since their last major trophy in 2017, have begun to rally around Amorim’s vision, which blends youth development with tactical discipline.
If Manchester United can progress to the final, they will likely face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who hold a two-goal advantage in their own semi-final tie. An all-English final would evoke memories of previous European showdowns and would offer United the chance to not only secure silverware but also restore pride after a challenging domestic campaign.
For now, though, the focus is squarely on finishing the job against Athletic Club. With the visitors’ attacking options severely limited and the Red Devils growing in confidence, Thursday night could mark another pivotal step in what is quickly becoming a redemptive European journey.
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