Manchester United face their biggest game of the season on Thursday as they travel to San Mames to take on Athletic Club in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final.
Victory across two legs would not only secure a spot in the Bilbao-hosted final but also give United a golden chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
A miracle given their current league position.
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The Reds sit 14th in the Premier League and must win the Europa League to book their place at Europe’s top table.
Ruben Amorim’s men pulled off a stunning comeback win over Lyon in the quarter-finals.
They will need to summon that same fighting spirit once more.
Especially with several players ruled out of the trip to Spain.
Ruben Amorim faces selection headache ahead of crunch clash
As per Manchester United official club website, seven players will be missing for the first leg.
Diogo Dalot is the latest casualty after picking up a calf injury, joining a long absentee list.
One that includes Altay Bayindir, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee.
Amad is nearing a return but isn’t expected to feature.
While Chido Obi – who came off the bench against Bournemouth, is ineligible for European fixtures.
Luke Shaw, however, completed 90 minutes on the south coast and could be in contention again.
While Noussair Mazraoui is pushing to keep his place at right wing-back.
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Athletic Club, currently fourth in La Liga, had the weekend off and come into the tie well rested.
They’re unlikely to risk top scorer Oihan Sancet, who suffered a hamstring issue in last week’s win over Las Palmas.
Unai Gomez is fit again and could step in, while Nico Williams is also back available.
United have won just one of their four competitive games against Athletic Club – a famous 3-0 win in 1957 by the Busby Babes at Maine Road.
More recently, in 2012, the Basque side stunned Old Trafford with a 3-2 victory and completed the job in the return leg with a 2-1 win.
This season’s final will be held at the iconic San Mames, with United hoping for two trips to the venue in May – one now, and one for the trophy.
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