Manchester United’s Europa League journey last season provided plenty of drama, from a commanding semi-final display against Athletic Bilbao to the heartbreak of falling short in the final against Tottenham.
Ruben Amorim’s side produced one of their most convincing away performances in Europe with a 3-0 victory in Bilbao, before sealing the tie with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford.
Those matches showcased United’s attacking firepower.
News has emerged linking back to that memorable semi-final night at San Mames.
The fallout centres not on United, but on one of their opponents who featured heavily in the tie.
UEFA has confirmed, as revealed via The Sun, that Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been hit with a lengthy suspension after failing a doping test taken immediately after that 3-0 defeat to United in May.
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Yeray Alvarez, 30, played the full match in Bilbao as United dominated proceedings, but later tested positive for Canrenone, a prohibited diuretic and masking agent listed under WADA’s 2025 regulations.
UEFA’s official statement confirmed that he has been banned until April 2026, though he will be allowed to resume training in February of that year.
The Spanish centre-back accepted a provisional suspension in June before disciplinary hearings were completed in August.
UEFA explained: “On 1 May 2025, Athletic Club player Yeray Alvarez underwent an in-competition doping control carried out by UEFA following a UEFA Europa League match.
“The analysis of the player’s sample by a WADA-accredited laboratory revealed the presence of Canrenone… the player may return to train with a team… as of 2 February 2026.”
Alvarez himself addressed the situation in July, revealing that the positive test stemmed from alopecia treatment: “After studying the case, we have established that I tested positive because I unintentionally took a hair loss prevention medicine containing a banned substance… I very much regret this situation but, with the support of the club, I am working on my defence in the belief that I will be able to return to the field of play as soon as possible.”
United would go on to defeat Bilbao across both legs, only to fall at the final hurdle against Spurs in Bilbao.
Yet this development adds another layer of controversy to a European run that remains fresh in the memory for supporters.
