It’s the most important week of the season for Manchester United, and the mood around Carrington reflects that.
Ruben Amorim’s side know what’s on the line: two Europa League semi-final legs against an Athletic Club team eager to reach a final set to be played in their city.
United will be boosted by the unavailability of Athletic Club’s top scorer, Oihan Sancet, as he has been ruled out through injury.
A top-four finish in the Premier League is long out of reach, and Amorim himself admitted that winning the Europa League is now the only route to Champions League football next season.
After the disappointing 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in the league, the pressure is piling on, but United’s head coach remains optimistic.
The Cherries were meant to be a perfect dress rehearsal before their biggest game of the season yet.
However, history tells a sobering tale—Manchester United have only beaten Athletic Club once in European competition, and that win came all the way back in 1957.
The Red Devils head to San Mames for the first leg, aiming to change a European narrative that has been one-sided for nearly seven decades.
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That lone victory came after a 5-3 defeat away in the first leg of the 1957 European Cup quarter-final, with United winning 3-0 in the return at Old Trafford to progress.
In the 2011/12 season, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side was dismantled by Marcelo Bielsa’s Bilbao over two legs in the Europa League—losing 2-1 away and then 3-2 at home.
It was in those matches that Ander Herrera rose to prominence before his eventual move to United.
Amorim, facing arguably the biggest challenge of his brief United tenure, has warned of Athletic’s intensity and quality, noting their fast starts and ability to press high in front of a raucous home crowd.
The message from the dressing room is clear: take the sting out of the game early in Spain, then bring the tie back to Old Trafford with all to play for.
United’s squad knows the odds and the history, but Amorim is hoping this team will be remembered for ending the drought, not becoming another chapter in it.
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