With their domestic season largely cooked, Manchester United lay their hopes at the feet of the UEFA Europa League as they begin their two-legged semifinal matchup with Athletic Club on Thursday.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League table, with Ruben Amorim rotating heavily nearly every weekend to keep his best players fit and firing for European competition, where they search for some kind of light at the end of an otherwise deep, dark tunnel.
So far, it’s worked like a charm, as the Red Devils are the last team in all of Europe to remain unbeaten in any UEFA competition.
Despite that, the situation is perilous as they face their toughest test yet, a visit to the San Mames to take on La Liga’s fourth-placed side. Athletic Club are not only challenging for a European trophy, but also pushing for Champions League qualification via their domestic finish.
The Sporting News is following the Athletic Club vs. Man United match live, providing score updates, commentary.
Latest live updates | Team news and lineups | How to watch where you are
Athletic Club vs. Man United score
| Score (1H) | Goal scorers | |
| Athletic Club | 0 | – |
| Man United | 1 | Casemiro (30′) |
Location: Estadio de San Mames (Bilbao, Spain)
Referee: Espen Eskas (NOR)
Starting lineups:
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1, right to left): 13. Agirrezabala (GK) — 18. De Marcos, 3. Vivian, 5. Alvarez, 17. Berchiche — 23. Jauregizar, 16. Galarreta — 9. I. Williams, 7. Berenguer, 10. N. Williams — 21. Sannadi.
Man United (3-4-2-1, right to left): 24. Onana (GK) — 2. Lindelof, 5. Maguire, 15. Yoro — 5. Mazraoui, 18. Casemiro, 25. Ugarte, 13. Dorgu — 8. Fernandes, 17. Garnacho — 9. Hojlund.
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Athletic Club vs. Man United live updates, highlights from Europa League first leg
32nd min: Chance, Man United! The visitors, newly in the lead, are screaming for a penalty as Noussair Mazraoui’s cross from the right was headed to Rasmus Hojlund in front of goal, before the Man United striker was yanked back on the shoulder by Daniel Vivian.
That surely does look like enough for a check, and VAR indeed has a look, what will they decide here? There’s certainly physical involvement from the defender…
24th min: Alejandro Garnacho has been very lively so far to begin this match, as he wins two fouls in quick succession, the second from Yuri Berchiche who has to be careful of drawing the referee’s ire. The free-kick is sent in from the right edge of the penalty area, but it’s headed away by some rigid home defending.
19th min: Chance, Athletic Club! Victor Lindelof with a heroic pair of blocks to prevent the opening goal, as he stops a goal-bound effort from Alex Berenguer!
16th min: Manchester United’s buildup has largely been recycling possession, as they try to kill time on the ball. Their best attacking moments have come on the counter-press as they generate turnovers high up the field. Their possession has largely been of a defensive nature, which is understandable given they are just trying to manage the game and get back to Old Trafford with the aggregate scoreline intact.
11th min: Chance, Athletic Club! Inaki Williams heads one inches over the crossbar! He gets the cross perfectly from outside the top-left corner of the penalty area, and comes flying in to redirect the ball on net, but just barely misses the frame!
A lively start from both sides to this match, it’s been fun so far! Not exactly of the highest quality, as both sides are giving the ball away cheaply in midfield, but fun at the very least!
7th min: Chance, Athletic Club! Andre Onana is called to action for the first time as he dives to his right to save a strong effort by Alex Berenguer! The Athletic man slips as he shoots, but still manages to put the ball on net, requiring Onana to make the acrobatic stop!
On the ensuing corner, Athletic play it short, and the cross eventually finds Yuri Berchiche at the far post, but his header goes just wide!
5th min: Chance, Man United! Alejandro Garnacho has the ball in the net, BUT THE FLAG IS UP FOR OFFSIDE! Athletic give it away cheaply in their own half, and United counter with venom, including a Bruno Fernandes backheel in the buildup.
Unfortunately for the visitors, Garnacho was just leaning slightly over the defensive line as he received the vertical feed, and the decision is confirmed by VAR! Athletic get away with a poor turnover and a defensive lapse.
📸 – GARNACHO SCORES BUT IT’S OFFSIDE! pic.twitter.com/LndLNTRBpE
— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) May 1, 2025
Kickoff: They’re under way at the San Mames, where the home fans are BUMPING! Man United’s season is squarely on the line, while the quest for a spot in the Europa League final begins!
Some noise in here pic.twitter.com/iHN7OB9P9U
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 1, 2025
Athletic Club vs. Man United: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more
15 mins to kickoff: Ahead of the match, Ruben Amorim said Man United must “manage their expectations” today, which could be a hint as to how they will play today.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand is just hoping the Red Devils can get back to Old Trafford for the second leg with the scoreline level. They’ll have a tough test tonight, with kickoff right around the corner!
“I would take a 0-0 right now.”@rioferdy5 previews Man United’s challenge in Bilbao tonight 🗣
🎙 @julesbreach | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/6rylu2UeSx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
30 mins to kickoff: Athletic Club have grown in strength over the last few years. They ended a 40-year trophy drought last season by winning the Copa del Rey, and are pushing for a Champions League place in La Liga while reaching this late stage of the Europa League as well.
This climb is quite the feat on its own, but it’s even more incredible considering the self-imposed restrictions the club places on itself. Athletic will ONLY sign players either born in the Basque region of Spain, or those who were developed in the academies of clubs from the Basque region.
The population of this region is only just above 3 million people, so they are severely limiting their player pool in doing this. Clearly, it has some merit given how much success they’ve had in recent years!
Everyone knows Athletic Club for their Basque-only policy — they only select players from a region with around the same population as Wales.
But what is it, who qualifies and when did it start?
My explainer, updated from a piece I wrote in 2023 ⬇️https://t.co/hhpzQzhLbZ
— Tomás (@tomas_hill) April 29, 2025
45 mins to kickoff: For Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde, the biggest question coming into today was how to replace the injured No. 10 Oihan Sancet, the club’s leading scorer and playmaker who picked up a fitness issue over the weekend in league play.
He could have turned to young Unai Gomez, but his mediocre production in limited time this season meant Valverde instead moved right winger Alex Berenguer into the slot, while installing Inaki Williams on the right. Athletic will have a LOT of pace out wide tonight!
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are in! As we expected, Amad Diallo is on the Man United bench, as he needs some game time before he’s ready to start. Still, having him in the squad alone is a real boost for Red Devil fans.
The only surprise for Man United is that Victor Lindelof starts at the back, with Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt both on the bench and Noussair Mazraoui moved out to wing-back to cover for the injured Diogo Dalot.
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Amad Diallo is back in training for Man United. He has been out for quite a while with an ankle injury, so it would be shocking to see him slot back into the starting lineup straightaway, but given this is the most important remaining competition for Man United, and their season is on the line…it would make some bit of sense!
Amad Diallo is nearing a return to action for Man Utd 😍#manutd | #uel pic.twitter.com/5ipX57lb7c
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) April 30, 2025
1 hour 30 mins to kick: In a moment of genuine insight, Alejandro Garnacho said a Europa League title would be “important” but it would not erase their struggles in the Premier League this season.
“It would not be a great season if we win the Europa League, because in the league we are bad.”
Yeah, you could say that!
Alejandro Garnacho says it “won’t be a great season” if Man United win the Europa League 🏆
Watch the full interview with Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel 📺 pic.twitter.com/EgfBi64WjB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 1, 2025
1 hour 45 mins to kick: Athletic Club may have more home support today than usual, as it’s a national holiday in Spain. As it is the country’s Labor Day today, fans are out in droves throughout Bilbao. It looks like a festive atmosphere in the city streets!
It’s a national holiday in Spain and Athletic Bilbao fans have been out in force all day. Probably the most football-centric city in Spain I’ve been fortunate enough to visit pic.twitter.com/liRB4MowBQ
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 1, 2025
2 hours to kickoff: Welcome to coverage from The Sporting News of Athletic Club vs. Man United in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal matchup.
Ruben Amorim reiterated yesterday that winning the Europa League would be “huge” for Manchester United. It’s always somewhat amusing watching managers and players of big clubs forced to ensure fans know they are still motivated when making deep runs in the lower-tier UEFA competitions.
Winning the Europa League would be “huge” for Manchester United, says Ruben Amorim 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0IGrcF0avP
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Athletic Club vs. Man United kick off time
This Europa League semifinal first leg kicks off from the San Mames on Thursday, May 1 at 9 p.m. local time in Bilbao, Spain. Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Thu, May 1 | 3 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Thu, May 1 | 12 p.m. PT |
| UK | Thu, May 1 | 8 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Fri, May 2 | 5 a.m. AEST |
| India | Fri, May 2 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Athletic Club vs. Man United lineups, team news
While United have completely bailed on domestic play to focus on Europe, Athletic have not been afforded that same luxury as they battle for a Champions League qualifying place in Spain.
As such, they were dealt a significant blow as vital No. 10 Oihan Sancet went down with a foot injury in the 22nd minute of their win over Las Palmas last Wednesday, leaving him likely out for not only this first leg but probably the second leg as well.
21-year-old Unai Gomez has been the one to step in for Sancet in the past, but today Alex Berenguer moves over to the No. 10 spot, while Inaki Williams enters the attack out wide right opposite his brother Nico Williams on the left.
Athletic Club starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Agirrezabala (GK) — De Marcos, Vivian, Y. Alvarez, Berchiche — Jauregizar, Galarreta — I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams — Sannadi.
Athletic Club subs: Simon (GK), Gorosabel, Paredes, Vesga, Djalo, Guruzeta, Nunez, Lekue, U. Nunez, Prados, Canales, Boiro.
MORE: All the latest Man Utd news | 2024/25 Premier League top goal scorers list | Latest Champions League top goal scorer list
Amorim hoped rotating the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, and Diogo Dalot would have given Man United their best chance of keeping their European campaign alive. Unfortunately, Dalot cropped up with a calf injury anyways, leaving the Red Devils without a key player for this two-legged affair.
The options to replace him at right wing-back are scarce. A report by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News posits that 18-year-old Jayden Kamason could be used to take over for Dalot, but he was left on the bench as Noussair Mazraoui moves out wide to cover for Dalot while Victor Lindelof starts at the back.
United fans were delighted to see Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt return to training on Wednesday following lengthy absences, and both were included on the United bench, a huge boost for the club even if they’re not ready to start just yet.
Man United starting lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Yoro, Maguire, Lindelof — Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu — Fernandes, Garnacho — Hojlund.
Man United subs: Bayindir (GK), Heaton (GK), Amass, de Ligt, Fredericson, Shaw, Kamason, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount, Diallo, Mantato.
Athletic Club vs. Man United live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:
