Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd: Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Manchester United take on Athletc Bilbao is the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie tonight with the Premier League champions needing to overturn a 3-2 scoreline to progress.

Bilbao were hugely impressive in the first leg last week and thoroughly deserved their win. Few teams have gone to Old Trafford and played United off the park like Athletic did.

But Fergie is the master of picking his teams up and getting a response out of them, so you wouldn’t bet against United pulling off a comeback here.

Team News

Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa will welcome back Javi Martinez, Fernando Llorente and Ander Herrera, who were all rested for the weekend defeat to Osasuna.

Defender Fernando Amorebieta is also set to return following a suspension. However, midfielder Ander Iturraspe is likely to miss out after being taken off at half time on Sunday after scoring an own goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be without Phil Jones (flu), Nani (bruising) and Anderson (hamstring) who have not travelled to Spain. Chris Smalling is only likely to be on the bench after reopening the head would he picked up while playing for England.

However, there is some positive news for Fergie with Tom Cleverley and Antonia Valencia both available following injury lay-offs. Danny Welbeck is likely to start alongside Wayne Rooney up front.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Man Utd need to score at least twice in order to have a chance of progressing to the quarter final stages and have no choice but to have a go at Bilbao. But this could play right into the hands of the Spaniards, as this would then leave United open to the counter-attack which Athletic used to devastating effect at Old Trafford in the first leg.

We’re in for another entertaining game but it’s going to be tough for Man Utd to get the result they need. I predict United to edge it tonight but Bilbao to go through on away goals. Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Man Utd.

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