Three first-half goals at San Mamés Barria gave Manchester United a commanding advantage in this Europa League semi-final, with Casemiro’s 30th-minute opener setting the tone. With the second leg at Old Trafford on May 8, 2025, both clubs are finalising their lineups—and the predicted XIs tell a story of tactical recalibration under pressure.

4 related posts

First Leg Result: Athletic Club 0-3 Man Utd ·
Second Leg Date: May 8, 2025 ·
Competition: UEFA Europa League Semi-finals ·
Predicted Man Utd GK: Onana

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Which exact TV channels will broadcast the second leg
  • Final confirmed starting XI for both clubs
  • Whether Unai Simón starts or remains on Athletic’s bench
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
Label Value
Competition UEFA Europa League
First Leg Score Athletic Club 0-3 Man Utd
Second Leg Date May 8, 2025
Man Utd Predicted GK Onana
Man Utd Possession First Leg 70%
Bruno Fernandes EL KO Involvements 29 in 31 games
Passes Completed Man Utd 573
Athletic Squad Size Second Leg 24 players

Is Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao on TV?

Sky Sports holds the broadcast rights for this Europa League semi-final second leg in the United Kingdom, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CEST on May 8, 2025. Fans in Spain can catch the match through DAZN, which holds UEFA competition rights in that market. International viewers should check regional broadcasters via the UEFA website or their cable provider’s sports package listings.

Broadcast Channels

  • United Kingdom: Sky Sports (confirmed coverage for May 8, 2025 match)
  • Spain: DAZN (UEFA competition rights holder)
  • International: UEFA.com broadcast finder

Streaming Options

  • Sky Go for UK subscribers on mobile and tablet
  • DAZN app for Spanish viewers
  • Paramount+ for US audiences
Why this matters

Sky Sports’ confirmed coverage means UK fans can expect pre-match analysis and post-match debriefs—crucial context for understanding lineup choices as they happen.

How to watch Manchester United v Athletic Club in UEFA Europa?

The second leg kicks off at Old Trafford at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST), with Ernesto Valverde bringing a 24-player Athletic Bilbao squad to Manchester after naming them on May 7, 2025. Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, are navigating a significant injury list that includes Lisandro Martínez (knee), Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring), Diogo Dalot (calf), and Willy Kambwala (leg)—all ruled out for the second leg according to UEFA’s official preview.

Live Stream Links

  • Sky Sports streaming platform (UK subscribers)
  • DAZN live stream (Spain and selected markets)
  • UEFA.tv for select regions

TV Schedule

  • Pre-match coverage begins 90 minutes before kick-off on Sky Sports
  • DAZN pre-show starts 30 minutes before kick-off
The catch

Around 4,000 Athletic Bilbao supporters will be inside Old Trafford, creating what Athletic Club’s official communication called “a unique atmosphere” despite the away side needing at least three goals to advance.

What are the predicted lineups for Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United FC?

Both clubs face tactical dilemmas heading into this decider. For Manchester United, the UEFA official preview predicts a 3-4-2-1 formation with André Onana in goal, Victor Lindelöf, Leny Yoro, and Harry Maguire forming a three-man defence, with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro anchoring midfield behind Bruno Fernandes as the creative hub.

Manchester United Predicted XI

According to UEFA’s official match preview, the predicted lineup reads: Onana; Lindelöf, Yoro, Maguire; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Højlund, Garnacho. Sports Illustrated’s preview of the first leg had suggested a similar 3-4-2-1 shape, though Shaw was included before injury concerns arose.

  • Goalkeeper: André Onana (Cameroon international, key distribution)
  • Defence: Lindelöf, Yoro, Maguire (three-man backline)
  • Midfield: Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu
  • Attack: Fernandes (captain), Højlund, Garnacho

The predicted XI shows Amorim favouring experience in defence despite injuries elsewhere, with Ugarte brought in to shield the back three against Athletic’s pace on the counter.

Athletic Bilbao Predicted XI

Sportsmole’s preview predicts Athletic Bilbao in a 4-2-3-1: Simón; Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta. Givemesport’s version differs slightly, placing Agirrezabala in goal with Marcos as the fourth defender. One point of intrigue: Unai Simón, Athletic’s first-choice goalkeeper, may start on the bench despite his £70,000-per-week wages according to Givemesport’s analysis.

  • Goalkeeper: Simón or Agirrezabala (uncertain)
  • Defence: Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche
  • Midfield: Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar
  • Attack: N. Williams (star), Guruzeta
The upshot

Bruno Fernandes carries particular weight here: he has 29 goal involvements from 31 Europa League knockout appearances, a competition record that makes him the player Athletic Bilbao must neutralise if they harbour any hope of a comeback.

Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United FC lineups stats

The first leg statistics from UEFA’s official match data reveal a dominant Manchester United performance. United completed 573 passes with 89% accuracy, created 34 attacks versus Athletic Bilbao’s 15, and earned 5 corners to Athletic’s 4. The possession split (70% Man Utd, 30% Athletic) tells the story of a side that controlled the tempo from whistle to whistle.

Key Player Stats

Two players stand out in the statistical breakdown: Bruno Fernandes has 29 goal involvements across 31 Europa League knockout games—a record for the competition. Meanwhile, Nico Williams has been directly involved in at least one goal in every single one of Athletic Bilbao’s six Europa League home games this season, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists according to Sportsmole’s preview.

Statistic Man Utd Athletic Bilbao
Possession 70% 30%
Total Attempts 14 9
Attacks 34 15
Passes Completed 573 (89% accuracy) Not specified
Corners 5 4
H2H Wins (all meetings) 1 2
Total H2H Goals 7 6

The pattern across four previous meetings: Athletic Bilbao have won twice, Manchester United once, with one draw. Combined goals read 13 across those encounters, suggesting entertainment is possible even when the aggregate looks decided.

Head-to-Head Lineup Comparison

Comparing predictions from different sources reveals tactical uncertainty. Givemesport’s predicted Man Utd lineup included Shaw in defence alongside Yoro and Maguire, while UEFA’s official preview omits Shaw (who is injured) and adds Lindelöf. For Athletic Bilbao, the goalkeeper position remains the biggest variable: Simón’s reported benching despite his wages creates selection intrigue.

Bottom line: Athletic Bilbao face a 3-goal deficit at Old Trafford but possess a weapon in Nico Williams, who has scored or assisted in every home EL game this season. Man Utd’s injury list is longer, but Bruno Fernandes’s record means United have the individual quality to punish any Athletic push. For neutrals: watch the wings. For bettors: Athletic to score first but not enough to advance.

Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao lineups first leg

The first leg on May 1, 2025 at San Mamés Barria delivered Manchester United’s most complete European performance of the season. Three first-half goals—all scored before the break—gave the English side a commanding advantage that Athletic Bilbao never seriously threatened to overturn in the second period. Casemiro’s 30th-minute opener, converted from close range after good work from Garnacho on the left flank, set the tone.

Official UEFA Lineups

According to UEFA’s official lineup page, the confirmed first leg result was Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Manchester United. The official starting XIs and substitutes were published on UEFA.com following the match, though the aggregate scoreline meant rotation considerations influenced second-leg selections.

Substitutes List

  • Man Utd injuries for second leg: Martínez (knee), Zirkzee (hamstring), Dalot (calf), Heaven (leg) (UEFA official preview)
  • Athletic Bilbao squad for second leg: 24 players named by Ernesto Valverde (Athletic Club Official)
What to watch

Manchester United have won only 6 of their 12 Europa League games this season, yet they find themselves 180 minutes from a final. Athletic Bilbao’s form in the competition has been steadier at home, which makes their task at Old Trafford both improbable and compelling.

Match Timeline

From league preparations to the semi-final second leg, here is how both clubs arrived at this point:

Date/Period Event
May 2025 Athletic Bilbao 1-0 win over Las Palmas (rested key players)
April 27, 2025 Man Utd 1-1 draw with Bournemouth (Højlund equaliser in injury time)
May 1, 2025 First leg: Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd at San Mamés Barria
May 7, 2025 Athletic Bilbao squad (24 players) announced for second leg
May 8, 2025 Second leg at Old Trafford, 21:00 CEST

The implication: Athletic Bilbao went into the first leg on the back of a full rest weekend, while Manchester United arrived after a draining Premier League fixture. Yet United’s fitness told in the second half at San Mamés, where they comfortably managed the game despite the hostile atmosphere.

Confirmed vs Unclear

Confirmed

  • First leg result: Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
  • UEFA official match statistics (possession, passes, attacks)
  • Bruno Fernandes competition record (29 involvements)
  • Nico Williams home EL record (goal involvement in all 6 games)
  • Athletic Bilbao 24-player squad for second leg
  • Man Utd injury list for second leg

Unclear

  • Unai Simón’s actual starting status
  • Whether Shaw’s injury affects predicted lineup
  • Exact TV channel assignments beyond UK/Spain
  • Whether Athletic can overturn 3-goal deficit
  • Rotation decisions based on Premier League fixtures

Expert Perspectives

“Three first-half goals helped Manchester United put themselves on the cusp of the Europa League final.”

— ESPN Match Recap (ESPN match report)

“Bruno Fernandes has recorded 29 goal involvements from 31 Europa League knockout appearances, which represents a competition record.”

— Sportsmole Preview Writer (Sportsmole match preview)

“In a raucous San Mames atmosphere, with supporters dreaming of a first-ever European trophy, their team gave everything—but ultimately fell short.”

— ESPN Reporter (ESPN match report)

The trade-off

Athletic Bilbao’s Basque-country pride drives them to attack even when the odds are against them. At Old Trafford with 4,000 travelling supporters, they will push forward—but doing so against a United side built for transitions could expose them further. The predicted win probabilities (Athletic 47%, Draw 16%, Man Utd 37%) suggest the market sees this as Athletic’s match to lose, not win.

Summary

Manchester United head into the May 8 semi-final second leg holding a three-goal advantage that leaves Athletic Bilbao needing something close to a miracle at Old Trafford. The first leg exposed Athletic’s defensive limitations—nine attempts and 30% possession against a United side that completed 573 passes—but also revealed their danger on the counter, particularly through Nico Williams. Bruno Fernandes’s 29 goal involvements in Europa League knockout games give United a reliable source of quality even as injuries bite. Athletic Bilbao must score early, maintain pressure, and hope Casemiro and company have an off night. United simply need to protect their aggregate lead and let Fernandes pull the strings. The prediction markets see Athletic as slight favourites (47%) over Manchester United (37%), yet the aggregate scoreline suggests the tie is effectively decided regardless of who controls the second-leg narrative.

Related reading: Brighton vs Crystal Palace: Rivalry, H2H Stats & Results

Additional sources

footystats.org, forebet.com, youtube.com, whoscored.com, youtube.com, si.com

Fans referencing the first-leg lineup predictions from the May 1 opener at San Mamés will spot key adjustments in Bruno Fernandes’ positioning for this decisive second leg.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What were the official lineups for Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United first leg?

The official first leg result was Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Manchester United on May 1, 2025, as confirmed by UEFA’s official lineup page. Casemiro opened the scoring in the 30th minute.

Where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United live?

UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports, Spanish viewers on DAZN, and US viewers on Paramount+. The match kicks off at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST) on May 8, 2025.

What was the score in Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao first leg?

Manchester United won the first leg 3-0 at San Mamés Barria on May 1, 2025. Three first-half goals gave United a commanding aggregate lead.

What are the key stats for the lineups?

Bruno Fernandes has 29 goal involvements from 31 Europa League knockout appearances (competition record). Nico Williams has scored or assisted in all six of Athletic Bilbao’s home EL games this season.

Is there a timeline for Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United FC matches?

First leg: May 1, 2025 (Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd). Second leg: May 8, 2025 at Old Trafford, 21:00 CEST.

Who are the substitutes for Athletic Club?

Ernesto Valverde named a 24-player squad for the second leg on May 7, 2025. Unai Simón’s starting status remains unclear—he could begin on the bench despite his status as Athletic’s first-choice goalkeeper.