Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd LIVE SCORE: Europa League semi-final updates as United look to take lead back to Old Trafford

Here come the two teams!There aren’t many better settings for a European semi-final!

The old San Mames was epic, but this new stadium is stunning. It’s also the venue for the Europa League final later this month so both teams will be hoping that it’s not the last tie they play here in this competition.

It’s a sea of red and white in the heart of Basque Country, and the noise being generated by 50,000 Athletic fans is deafening.

Bruno Fernandes leads his side out, knowing that they have a Europa League job to do over the next 90 minutes, the next seven days, the next thee weeks, if they are to turn this shambolic season into a successful one for Manchester United.

Anthem. Handshakes. Photographs. Coin toss. Pennant exchange. The formalities are over, it’s time for the football.

From Martin Blackburn in BilbaoAround £100 million is on the line as Manchester United look to lift the Europa League. That’s how much being in the Champions League next season is likely to be worth to the Red Devils. And with costs being slashed already, it will be a huge blow if they miss out on European football completely.

United are the only unbeaten team in UEFA competition –despite losing FIFTEEN times in the Prem this season – but in fairness they have not had a test like this.

Athletic are fourth in the Spanish league, have the meanest defence in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of home goals conceded – and also have an added incentive as the final will be at their San Mames Stadium in three weeks time. Once in a lifetime stuff for them. 

Live European football Elsewhere, we’ve got more live European coverage with Spurs and Chelsea also in action.

Pre-match reading Includes Ruben Amorim’s warning ahead of kick-off and the lowdown on the opposition:

Return of a key manHow United have missed this guy…

He’ll start on the bench with full intention with apart to platy tonight.

Credit: Getty

Atmosphere building in BilbaoThe scenes in the Athletic Club fan zones are upping in fever ahead of a major night at the San Mamés.

Athletic Club vs Manchester United line-ups Athletic Club XI: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Jauregizar, Galarreta; Williams, Berenguer, Williams Jr; Maroan

Subs: Simon, Gorosabel, Parades, Vesga, Djalo, Guruzeta, Nunez, Lekue, Unai, Prados, Canles, Adama.

Manchester United XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.

Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, De Ligt, Fredricson, Kamason, Shaw, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount, Amad, Mantato. 

Kit clashRuben Amorim’s men are set to wear their blue change shirt tonight to avoid a kit clash.

However, they will not be using the same coloured shorts as they have previously worn.

Athletic Bilbao’s early team newsFor the hosts, leading scorer Oihan Sancet is confirmed out

But Arsenal target and Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams has passed a late fitness test.

Credit: PA

Man Utd’s early team newsThe Red Devils a welcome boost on tonight with both Amad Diallo and Matthjis De Ligt returning to training.

Both have travelled with the squad, but can probably hope for a place on the bench at best.

Luke Shaw is also set to feature – possibly in a back-three alongside Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro.

Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes are set to lead the line.

Blue are yaIt’s all change for United on the kit front tonight, who are wearing a colour not seen before this season.

Amorim’s men will be in their blue change strip to avoid a clash of colours with the red-and-white stripes of Bilbao.

But the eagle-eyed among you will notice United are wearing shorts that are officially ‘clear onyx’ in colour, almost white.

Past meetingsYou have to go back to 2012 for the last time this pair faced off in Europe.

And the history doesn’t make good reading for the Red Devils.

Athletic Club KO’d United out of the Europa League on that occasion, winning a two-legged quarter final 5-3 on aggregate.

Credit: Mark Robinson – The Sun

Cup for itRuben Amorim has been keen to talk down United’s chances of winning the Europa League.

The Portuguese has claimed even lifting the trophy would not “save” United’s horror season.

He explained: ““Lifting a trophy won’t fix our problems.

“It gets us Champions League cash and games , but we need better decisions, better recruitment and to win the fans back with consistency.

“This is just a shortcut- nothing more.”

Welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Athletic Bilbao vs Man UtdIt’s all or nothing for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United.

After one of the most disappointing domestic seasons in living memory, the Red Devils have just the Europa League left to save their season.

United haven’t had their hands on European silverware since the 2017 season.

And it seems almost unthinkable that after such a disastrous campaign, they’re in with a real shout of lifting the Europa League.

That night against Lyon in the last round will not be forgotten in a hurry – and the stars seem to have aligned for Amorim’s men in this competition.

Tonight they face a tough test on the road in Spain, with Athletic Bilbao looking to win their first ever Euro trophy.

The final next month is being held at their stunning Estadio de San Mamés – and United are hoping to spoil the party before it even starts.

Kick-off tonight at 8pm, we’ve team news imminently.