With one foot already in the San Mames Stadium, Manchester United can officially book their place in the UEFA Europa League final as they host Athletic Club at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday for the second leg of their semifinal matchup.
Following a 3-0 win last week in Spain, the Red Devils are in firm control of the tie and need to simply hold their ground to see their way through to the title match.
While some United fans will surely still feel apprehensive ahead of the second leg given their own self-admitted propensity for mental slips in recent years, in truth, the climb is steep for Athletic on the road chasing a huge deficit.
The La Liga side are walking wounded, missing a number of key components to either injury or suspension while also chasing a Champions League qualifying spot domestically.
The Sporting News is following the Man United vs. Athletic Club match live, providing score updates, commentary.
Latest live updates | Team news and lineups | How to watch where you are
Man United vs. Athletic Club score
| Score (Pregame) | Aggregate | Goal scorers | |
| Man United | – | 3 | – |
| Athletic Club | – | 0 | – |
Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)
Starting lineups:
Man United (3-4-2-1, right to left): 24. Onana (GK) — 2. Lindelof, 5. Maguire, 15. Yoro — 3. Mazraoui, 25. Ugarte, 18. Casemiro, 13. Dorgu — 8. Fernandes, 17. Garnacho — 9. Hojlund.
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1, right to left): 13. Agirrezabala (GK) — 2. Gorosabel, 14. U. Nunez, 5. Y. Alvarez, 17 Berchiche — 16. de Galarreta, 23. Jaureguizar — 11. Djalo, 20. Gomez, 7. Berenguer — 21. Sannadi.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Man United vs. Athletic Club live updates, highlights from Europa League
45 mins to kickoff: Rasmus Hojlund did a somewhat awkward but somewhat unique interview with UK broadcaster TNT Sports while signing shirts for fans outside the stadium. He said the team wants to not just advance but also win the game so they can advance without too much trouble.
A fan promised to get Hojlund’s autograph tattooed on his arm, which…sure is a choice!
“There’s still another half to play, so we’re going out to win this game”
Rasmus Højlund has an interview while signing shirts, with one fan promising to get his autograph tattooed 👀
🎙@Becky_Ives_ | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/UxtGrWM7db
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 8, 2025
1 hour to kickoff: The new Pope was just announced today, as Pope Leo XVI was chosen at the Vatican. Athletic Club has taken a cheeky spin on the news as they will need their prayers answered if they wish to complete a comeback today!
Habemus…
Keeping the faith.
Why not?#MUFCAthletic #UniqueInTheWorld 🦁 pic.twitter.com/0VDTnTIYrE
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) May 8, 2025
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Lineups are in! Amad Diallo isn’t quite ready to start yet for the Red Devils, but he is once again on the bench for Man United.
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Much has been made about Manchester United being exceptional in Europe this season, as the only unbeaten team left across all three major UEFA club competitions. But their success in the Europa League goes back even further, as they have been beaten at Old Trafford just once in their last 30 Europa League home games. Quite a run in front of the Manchester faithful!
Man Utd have lost just one of their last 30 UEL home games 🏟️
Quite the feat 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VnJpbgIJ4r
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 8, 2025
1 hour 45 mins to kick: Incase the players needed a reminder what they’re playing for, the Europa League trophy has made an appearance at Old Trafford today.
The Europa League trophy is out at Old Trafford 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/PP8tkNQfem
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 8, 2025
2 hours to kickoff: While most believe Man United have already booked a place in a European final, Ruben Amorim wants his players and supporters to realise there’s still a job to do.
“We cannot take anything for granted until that task is complete,” Amorim said in his matchday release on the Man United website. “We will need total focus and effort to keep control of the game, and the tie.”
Man United vs. Athletic Club kick off time
This Europa League semifinal second leg kicks off from Old Trafford on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. local time in Manchester, England. Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Thu, May 8 | 3 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Thu, May 8 | 12 p.m. PT |
| UK | Thu, May 8 | 8 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Fri, May 9 | 5 a.m. AEST |
| India | Fri, May 9 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Man United vs. Athletic Club lineups, team news
Amorim made eight changes to the team that won in Bilbao for Sunday’s league loss at Brentford, but he brings back several of his rested stars for this fixture.
The XI looks very similar to the one from the first leg, with Amad Diallo still on the bench, yet to make his first start since February. He came on to score over the weekend, but Ruben Amorim has decided to use the strong aggregate lead to bring him along slowly back to full fitness.
Matthijs de Ligt went off injured at the weekend and is unavailable today. Amorim has thusly chosen Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro to start alongside Harry Maguire in the three-man defence, with Luke Shaw on the bench.
Diogo Dalot is out with a calf problem, while Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martinez will not play again this season.
Man United starting lineup (3-4-2-1): Onana (GK) — Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro — Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu — Fernandes, Garnacho — Hojlund.
Man United subs: Bayindir (GK), Heaton (GK), Amass, Fredericson, Kamason, Shaw, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount, Diallo, Mantato.
Athletic’s already slim comeback hopes were dealt a further blow when they left for Manchester without their three most dangerous attacking players.
Brothers Nico Williams and Inaki Williams are out with muscle problems, while top scorer Oihan Sancet has not recovered from the injury that kept him out of the first leg.
Dani Vivian is suspended after his red card last week, so Unai Nunez has taken his place in defence.
Athletic Club starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala (GK) — Gorosabel, U. Nunez, Y. Alvarez, Berchiche — de Galarreta, Jaureguizar — Djalo, Gomez, Berenguer — Sannadi.
Athletic Club subs: Simon (GK), Boiro (GK), Paredes, Lekue, de Marcos, Rego, Prados, Vesga, Canales, Olabarrieta, Guruzeta, Varela.
Man United vs. Athletic Club live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:
