Manchester United are set for a season-defining Europa League semi-final clash against Athletic Club with the first leg set to be held at San Mames on Thursday.
Both teams have displayed contrasting form in the league, with the Basque outfit currently fourth in La Liga, and they boast of the strongest defensive record in the division.
On Bilbao’s strengths, Ruben Amorim pointed to Nico Williams as well as their intense pressing ability, something United will need to be wary of.
On Bilbao
“We change each game. Against Bournemouth, we saw a team that press really high. Bilbao, it is more or less the same thing. We will see the strengths of the opponent. We will play the game that we see.”
“They are strong, intense and really aggressive in every duel. They have great players one-vs-one. Nico Williams is a special player. They have the best defence in Spain in the league.
“We are not scoring many goals, so it is going to be a tough match for us. They use the crowd to take the game to a different level. We are going to face a very, very strong team.”
Lack of goals
As for the Red Devils, they are languishing in 14th position and have largely struggled in front of goal, which makes the contest even more difficult to win. In fact, they have scored more in the Europa League than in the Premier League.
“I don’t know in that department. We had some games that we didn’t create situations, but that was not the case in the last games.
“Against Nottingham Forest we had situations, against Wolves we had situations. Sometimes you don’t have an explanations. We need to create situations.”
Rasmus Hojlund’s form was once again the topic of conversation. The Dane did return to scoring ways against Bournemouth but his form in front of goal has largely been disappointing this season. Amorim continues to back the Dane to come good.
“The same that he had in the last game; he scored. He is working really hard. Some of the goals that we scored, especially in this competition, he has been really important with his movement. I think he is in a good moment and a good spirit to do a great game tomorrow.”
Attackers need to improve
The whole attacking contingent have underperformed, something Amorim touched upon.
“Our focus is to help the players that we have. Rasmus [Hojlund] scored one goal in the last game. You can see Rasmus has the talent. Joshua [Zirkzee] has the talent. Chido [Obi] has the talent.
“We have to improve the players, but to improve the players individually we have to improve the way we perform, the way we play. We are far from being a really consistent team that can help the strikers score goals. We have a lack of goals and that has cost us a lot of points.”
In some good news, Ruben Amorim is all set to welcome back Matthijs de Ligt and attacking talisman Amad, both of whom were present during the open training session and even travelled with the team to Bilbao.
The head coach revealed both are not ready to start, but will be on the bench. Lots of Academy stars even those who are ineligible have travelled, but mainly for training following Thursday’s game.
Injury update
“To start, no, but they can be in the squad for the game. The rest of the players, we have the game tomorrow and we train here on Friday.
“We need to prepare for the next game against Brentford. We have brought young kids to prepare for the next game.”
Winning the Europa League is seen by fans as the only way to salvage the season. Obviously, Champions League qualification is key to transfer business. Amorim was asked whether this is leading to more pressure and whether the player can handle this added pressure.
“Nothing is going to save our season, but this can be huge; winning a trophy. Being in the Champions League could change a lot of things in our club this summer.
CL qualification
“I think it is the rules – it is hard to talk about that. You could see it is not fair because the best teams, the champions, should be in the Champions League. But you have this competition to give it a value to it.
“It is like in our league where you win the cup and you go to the Europa League. They are prepared. Every player is an international. The context in this season has been complicated in every aspect.
“I don’t see it as an issue. They are excited and are capable of winning. It could change our dynamic and next year. We have to deal with a lot of things in our club and we will be fine, with or without Champions League.”
Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
