Latest news with #InakiWilliams
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Nine Athletic Bilbao stars got trapped in lift in strange ‘mishap' reveals coach Ernesto Valverde before Man Utd clash
ATHLETIC BILBAO have suffered further woes ahead of their clash with Man Utd The Champions League-chasing Basques were hammered 3-0 at San Mames last week, leaving them with it all to do at Old Trafford in the Europa League. 2 2 Should they achieve a miracle comeback, they will play the Europa League final against Bodo/Glimt or Tottenham at their own stadium. But boss Ernesto Valverde revealed that things took a farcical turn at the weekend. He said: 'How is the team? I saw it very well. "We had a difficult match against Real Sociedad and a mishap. "Nine players were trapped in the lift, which had a capacity of eight people. "But we got them out before the match and managed to earn a draw." Bilbao's preference for this game at Old Trafford have also not been helped by the absence of three of their star players. Brothers Nico and Inaki Williams have stayed at home along with attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet, who has scored 15 La Liga goals this season. But Valverde insisted that all of the three players had been ruled out due to injury, and Athletic won't be giving up on the tie. He commented: "If any one [of them] could have been here, they would be here. 'Were we not good enough-' - Man Utd legend Roy Keane takes cheeky dig at David Beckham over 50th birthday snub "Because this game is the most important of the season right now. "I don't understand the question. You talk to the doctor and the players, but there's not much to decide. Those who are injured can't play." The Basques will also be without Dani Vivian after his red card in last week's game.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Man United vs Athletic Bilbao LIVE: Europa League final beckons for hosts after huge win
Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League final but will be wary of a response from Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford in the semi-final second leg. Ruben Amorim's side claimed a hugely impressive 3-0 win in Bilbao last week and will be hoping to finish the job and return to the Basque Country for the final on May 21. Bilbao were dangerous in the opening stages, before the tie turned on Dani Vivian's red card, but they will be missing three of their best attacking players in Nico and Inaki Williams and top scorer Oihan Sancet. Amorim, however, said 'anything is possible' at Old Trafford and United's form has been inconsistent all season, with Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Brentford continuing their woeful Premier League form. United, though, are unbeaten in Europe this season and will be reach the Europa League, setting up a shot at qualifying for next year's Champions League, if they maintain that record. When is Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao? The Europa League semi-final second leg is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 8 May at Old Trafford in Manchester. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. A live stream will be available for subscribers via discovery+. Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 16:02 Good evening Manchester United are on the brink of the Europa League final as they welcome Athletic Bilbao to Old Trafford for the second leg of their semi-final tie. A brilliant performance in the Basque Country from Manchester United saw them secure a 3-0 advantage, with the European campaign continuing to be the bright spot after a difficult season domestically. Ruben Amorim's side will take nothing for granted, though, given their uneven form, though a young team showed real spirit in a seven-goal thriller against Brentford on Sunday between the two legs. The visitors would have hoped to set up a tilt at a trophy on home soil with this year's Europa League final being held in Bilbao, but must produce an extraordinary turnaround if they are to book their spot in the tournament decider. 8 May 2025 16:00
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao predictions: Europa League tips and odds
Our expert has three tips for the second leg of the Europa League semi-final, between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on Thursday (kick-off, 8pm), all of which were successful outcomes in the first leg. Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao tips Odds courtesy of BoyleSports. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change. Already a BoyleSports member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Bilbao's travel bug to persist It may seem unusual to back United to keep a clean sheet in victory after they conceded four goals at Brentford on Sunday, but this bet has more to do with Bilbao's form than that of the hosts. The Basque club have failed to score in any of their past four away games and also drew a blank in the first leg, which United won 3-0. In addition, their top three goalscorers this season, brothers Nico and Inaki Williams, and Oihan Sancet, are all missing for this match. There are some caveats to that defeat, most notably that Dani Vivian was sent off after 35 minutes for Ernesto Valverde's team. Yet their prolonged issues with scoring suggest that boosted odds of 11/4 should represent some value and are worth the gamble. Fernandes rolling back the years Bruno Fernandes delivered again for his club in the first leg, scoring a brace that took his goalscoring tally for the season to 19. That's the highest number of goals the Portuguese playmaker has scored since his first full season at United in 2020-21. In addition, he has provided 18 assists for his colleagues. Fernandes is proving to be especially consistent in the Europa League, scoring six times in five games in the knockout rounds, including a home hat-trick against Real Sociedad in the round of 16. Enforcer Ugarte turns provider Another midfielder who is now delivering for United is Manuel Ugarte. Signed to shore up the leaky Red Devils, he is generally a good bet to be booked, collecting 14 yellow cards this season. While that possibility should never be overlooked, I'm more interested in his attacking output, which has gone up a notch in recent games. He provided two assists in the first leg, having both scored and set up a goal in the quarter-final tie against Lyon. Ugarte has also had an assist in each of United's two most recent Premier League matches. With five of his six assists this season coming in his last seven appearances, this growing trend looks majorly overpriced. Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao odds All odds courtesy of BoyleSports. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Europa League semi-final
Manchester United are on the brink of the Europa League final as they welcome Athletic Bilbao to Old Trafford for the second leg of their semi-final tie. A brilliant performance in the Basque Country from Manchester United saw them secure a 3-0 advantage, with the European campaign continuing to be the bright spot after a difficult season domestically. Ruben Amorim's side will take nothing for granted, though, given their uneven form, though a young team showed real spirit in a seven-goal thriller against Brentford on Sunday between the two legs. The visitors would have hoped to set up a tilt at a trophy on home soil with this year's Europa League final being held in Bilbao, but must produce an extraordinary turnaround if they are to book their spot in the tournament decider. Here's everything you need to know. When is Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao? The Europa League semi-final second leg is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 8 May at Old Trafford in Manchester. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. A live stream will be available for subscribers via discovery+. Team news Manchester United could well be unchanged from the first leg. Matthijs de Ligt was forced off through injury in the first half against Brentford and may further deplete Ruben Amorim's options, with LIsandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee and Diogo Dalot among those also sidelined. Both Inaki and Nico Williams will miss the second leg, with the elder brother ruled out with a thigh injury and Nico not part of Ernesto Valverde's 24-man travelling squad. Oihan Sancet also remains absent, leaving Athletic Bilbao light on forward options. Dani Vivian is suspended following his dismissal last week. Manchester United XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund. Athletic Bilbao XI: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Paredes, Alvarez, Berchiche; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; Gomez, Berenguer, Djalo; Sannadi. Athletic Bilbao to progress 33/1 The Independent vets betting sites free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao: Ernesto Valverde press conference
Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has refused to rule out the prospect of his depleted squad turning their Europa League semi-final around at Manchester United. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg at home, Bilbao will be without suspended defender Dani Vivian, as well as top scorer Oihan Sancet and injured forward duo Inaki and Nico Williams. Nevertheless, Valverde insists he is making the trip to Old Trafford believing they can still make the final. "I am focusing on those players that are going to be doing a job for us tomorrow," Valverde said. "There's no point thinking about the ones who aren't here. We know we've got some key injuries, but it's about the ones who are on the field. "It's not going to be easy. We know it's tough because the result is pretty much against us. We also know how high quality our opponents are and their stadium, but this is football. Anything can happen. "That's what we always hope for, and we're hoping for the best like we always do." Inaki Williams and younger brother Nico, who have 11 goals apiece this term, have been ruled out with hamstring and groin issues respectively. Striker Sancet, who has 17 goals this season, missed last week's first leg with a hamstring injury and has been unable to recover in time Valverde added: "If they could have been here, they would have been here because this is the most important game of the season. "Manchester United are a side that don't let you off. If you make mistakes, they punish you. Football is what it is. "We've got to go for it. We want to eradicate mistakes, and then impose our style of play on the game like we always do, taking into account the opponent and the surroundings. "We want to try and win."
