Live commentary for Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao: Ruben Amorim seeks to mimic Jose Mourinho's precedent as United aim for a noteworthy Europa League achievement
In the Throes of Europa League Glory: Man Utd Staring Down His Doorstep
United sits on the brink of Europe's grandest stage, the Europa League final, as they enter the semi-final's second leg, live on talkSPORT.
The Red Devils left no doubt in their fracas against Bilbao, trouncing their adversaries 3-0 in the first leg, leading a tight-knit affair into the halftime break.
Bruno Fernandes delivered a masterclass with a brace while Casemiro opened the scoring on a clever assist by Harry Maguire, earning him a brand-new mantle.
Ruben Amorim may shrug off his team's immense success, but with Bilbao faced with a monumental three-goal deficit to overturn at Old Trafford, one struggles to see a viable escape route.
Should United summon the necessary fortitude to prevail in this leg, they'll etch their names as the seventh club to reach a Europa League final without suffering a single defeat throughout the competition.
Amorim vs Mourinho: The Portuguese Connection
While Amorim's focus squarely rests on his current team, he'll undeniably have a burning ambition to mark his own legacy alongside his infatuation with his squad.
The Portuguese gaffer shares a unique bond with the legendary Jose Mourinho. Mourinho, the sole Man Utd manager to capture a major European trophy in his inaugural season, achieved this feat during the 2016/17 Europa League campaign, a journey culminating in United's last triumph in European football[3].
Now, Amorim holds the opportunity to replicate this illustrious feat by guiding his team past Bilbao and securing a place in the 2024/25 showpiece.
Man United's Debut European Final Quest
Moreover, the United boss stands on the precipice of a historical milestone. If Amorim can orchestrate a victory against Bilbao, he'll be the first manager of an English club to claim a major European title in their initial season since 2021[2].
Thomas Tuchel did precisely that with Chelsea before orchestrating Champions League glory four years ago.
A footnote in historical trivia: Only one team has ever succumbed to being two-goals down after the first leg of a two-legged knockout tie away from home in a major European competition and failed to progress. This feat was achieved by Maccabi Tel Aviv against Olympiakos in the 2023-24 UEFA Conference League last 16[1].
Bilbao, however, will likely face an uphill battle in the near impossible quest of clawing back a three-goal deficit at Old Trafford.
Team News: The Lineup Battle
Amorim opted to rest key players for United's clash against Brentford over the weekend, but expect the regular first-team stars to reclaim their positions for this critical matchup[5].
The likes of Fernandes, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Noussair Mazraoui are all expected to return.
Injuries may force Matthijs De Ligt and Diogo Dalot to watch proceedings from the sidelines, with Mazraoui potentially covering for De Ligt at center-back, paving the way for Amad Diallo to make his first start since February at wing-back[5].
As for Bilbao, the fitness of Nico Williams and Oscar De Marcos remains uncertain, potentially causing headaches in the opposition's game planning[5].
Additional Insight: It's worth mentioning that Manchester United has scored 31 goals in this season's Europa League, a tally surpassing any other team in the competition[5].
In history, they have only ever scored more in a single campaign in major European competitions—32 in 2002-03 and 34 in 2020-21[5].
Managerial Musings:
Amorim acknowledged that his focus is purely on this Europa League semi-final, rather than the hiccups his team endured in the domestic Premier League[6]:
Will Amorim succeed in his ambition to etch his name in the illustrious annals of European football history? Or will Bilbao produce an unexpected comeback, forcing a reevaluation of the impossible odds?
Tune in to talkSPORT to witness this epic semifinal clash on May 8, 8 pm.
talkSPORT Coverage
Leaving you on the brink of exhilaration, talkSPORT brings you live coverage of the game with commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former England Captain Stuart Pearce.7
To catch the action, head over to talkSPORT for the live stream, or listen via the talkSPORT app or DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker, or 1089 or 1053 AM[7].
Visit talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts. Head to talkSPORT.com for a dedicated live blog.
Sources:
- UEFA.com
- ESPN
- ESPN
- ESPN
- ESPN
- ESPN
- talkSPORT.
United's potential transfer targets may consider the Premier League club's recent success in the Europa League as a positive sign.With talkSPORT providing live coverage of the game, football fans can eagerly follow the Red Devils' journey towards the Europa League final.Should Amorim guide United to a victory, he could join Jose Mourinho in the exclusive club of managers who have won a major European title in their first season at the club.Beyond football, sports enthusiasts might also apply their attention to the F1 Australian Grand Prix or the boxing fight between Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol, scheduled for the same day.
