Manchester United return to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League semifinal against Athletic Bilbao with a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg. Despite a poor domestic season, Ruben Amorim’s team is unbeaten in Europe and will look to reach a continental final by managing the tie smartly at home. Their performances in Europe have been tactically sound, contrasting sharply with their league form.
MAN UNITED’S TACTICS:
United will likely play in the familiar 4-2-3-1 system Amorim has settled on. The midfield pivot of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will be key. Expect Casemiro to provide a defensive cover, break up play, and help suppress Bilbao’s transitions. Ugarte will link play from defense to attack, using his awareness and ball-carrying ability to control tempo. Bruno Fernandes, operating ahead of them, will surely look to exploit space between the lines, drift into half-spaces, and dictate rhythm. He scored twice in the first leg and will remain United’s primary creative force.
At the back, Mazraoui should start at right-back in the absence of Dalot and he is expected to tuck in at times to aid central buildup while offering cover behind Antony’s surging runs. On the left, Dorgu will likely push higher, underlapping to provide extra numbers in central areas and combining with Garnacho to trouble Bilbao’s right flank during transitions.
Garnacho will offer width and directness. Whether stationed on the left or the right, he will stretch the pitch and cut inside onto his stronger left foot to shoot or combine with Fernandes. His presence will force Bilbao’s full-backs into difficult one-on-one duels. Up front, Rasmus Højlund will be asked to lead the line with strength and relentless pressing. He will occupy defenders, press from the front, and make unselfish runs to open space for onrushing teammates.
OFF THE BALL TACTICS:
Off the ball, United will press with intensity and coordination. Fernandes will trigger the press, while Ugarte and Casemiro will close passing lanes and collapse space in midfield. This pressing scheme aims to force Bilbao wide and prevent them from building centrally, just as it did in the first leg.
ATHLETIC BILBAO TACTICS:
Athletic Bilbao arrived at the Theater of Dreams weakened by injuries. Inaki and Nico Williams, along with Oihan Sancet, are all ruled out. Their absence strips the team of its pace, dribbling threat, and verticality. Valverde will turn to Guruzeta, Berenguer, and Muniain as his front three. Guruzeta is a composed finisher but lacks the explosiveness needed to stretch United’s defense. Muniain brings creativity but no longer has the legs to beat defenders in transitions. This makes Bilbao more possession-focused than counter-attacking, which may suit United.
Defensively, Bilbao will likely sit in a 4-1-4-1 setup with Vesga shielding the back four. They’ve been solid in La Liga, but United’s movement- especially Fernandes’ drifting, Garnacho’s pace, and Casemiro’s late arrivals pulled them out of shape in the first leg and will likely do so again.
Surely, Amorim will look to manage the match carefully. With a comfortable lead, he may instruct his full-backs to remain conservative, prioritize possession, and wait for spaces to open on the break. Fernandes may drop deeper to help in buildup, while players like Eriksen or Mainoo will be on standby to reinforce midfield control later in the game.
CAN THE SCORELINE BE OVERTURNED?
Bilbao will need a flawless performance to overturn the deficit, but unless United collapse completely, they will expect to seal their place in the Europa League final by full-time.
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