Manchester United are gearing up for their biggest test of the season, a Europa League semi-final against La Liga side Athletic Club.
The Basque team are fourth in the Spanish top-flight, which shows how consistent they have been this season as opposed to the English giants who are a dismal 14th in the Premier League.
The team from Bilbao also boast of the best defensive record in the division this season, and coupled with United’s lack of goals this season, all signs point towards an extremely difficult contest.
United midfielder Christian Eriksen was asked about the dangers the La Liga outfit possess and he was quick to point to their two wingers — the Williams brothers.
Athletic club’s biggest weapons
Superstar Nico Williams, who is also rumoured to be on United’s radar, has 11 goals and seven assists this season and has been on red-hot form recently.
Elder brother Inaki Williams has 11 goals and nine assists and the speed they possess can definitely hurt United, something Ruben Amorim must devise a plan for.
“As a team, they are like a Spanish team; they like having the ball. They have two very, very quick wingers, good midfielders and a good all-round team,” Eriksen told club media.
“They are a Spanish team that likes to have possession and go for the counter at the same time with the speed they have.
Can United deal with them?
“They have the wingers, who are the Williams brothers, who are doing really well.
“But I am sure they have a lot of players, who, when we go into the game, are getting closer to the game, we will get a bit of knowledge about who else they have.”
Amorim chose to play a strong team against Bournemouth at the weekend as both the Cherries and Athletic employ a similar style, which does not reflect well given the Red Devils huffed and puffed before claiming an eventual draw late on.
Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth boss, will also relay what he learnt about United to Ernesto Valverde, the Athletic boss, as he wants his former club to defeat the 20-time English league champions.
Feature image Michael Steele 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
