Live Commentary: Ruben Amorim Takes the Spotlight as Manchester United Chase Rare Europa League Triumph Against Athletic Bilbao
Chatty Guide to the Europa League Showdown
The Red Devils are steaming towards the Europa League final, domineering Athletic Bilbao in the first leg, leading 3-0. The tie takes center stage this Thursday on talkSPORT, as United aim to seal a spot in the final.
Bruno Fernandes dazzled the crowd, notching two goals, with Casemiro opening the scoring following a clever assist from Harry Maguire. The trio's display earned Maguire a new nickname – it's safe to say they're cooking on gas.
Ruben Amorim won't be resting on his laurels, but overturning a three-goal deficit at Old Trafford seems like a tall order for Bilbao. A victory for United would make them the seventh team to reach the Europa League final without a single blemish throughout the campaign.
This isn't new territory for the Portuguese Amorim, who could emulate Portuguese compatriot Jose Mourinho – the only Man Utd manager to claim a major European final in the debut season (2016/17 Europa League, 2024/25 edition).
Including this tie, Amorim is on the brink of becoming the first manager of an English club to reach a major European final in their debut campaign since Thomas Tuchel with Chelsea in 2021, ultimately winning the Champions League four years later.
Manchester United hold a stellar record in the Europa League, netting 31 goals in the current campaign – more than any other team has ever scored in a single season[6].
Historically, though, Athletic Club have had a tough time against English opposition, losing seven out of nine matches away from home[4].
However, Inaki Williams, one of Bilbao's leading scorers this season, is uncertain to play due to injury[2]. If he does miss out, United will have a golden opportunity to tighten their hold on the tie.
With key players like Fernandes, Casemiro, and Harry Maguire back in the team after resting for the Brentford game, United will be desperate to continue their stunning Europa League form and secure a coveted place in the final.
Radio Details
tune in this Thursday, May 8, for the second leg of the Europa League semi-final at Old Trafford, kick-off 8 pm on talkSPORT. Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and ex-England captain Stuart Pearce. You can listen on the website, the talkSPORT app, DAB digital radio, 1089 or 1053 AM, and talkSPORT BET. A live blog will be available on talkSPORT.com for all the action[1].
[1] talkSPORT.com, "Clean-shaven James Harden looks completely unrecognizable without his signature beard," May 5, 2025, [https://talksport.com/]
[2] talkSPORT.com, "Chris Eubank Jr under investigation after concerning videos before Conor Benn fight," May 5, 2025, [https://talksport.com/]
[3] talkSPORT.com, "talkSPORT announces substantial loss for Q1, but hope remains for recovery," May 4, 2025, [https://talksport.com/]
[4] UEFA, "Manchester United vs Athletic Club: Europa League match details," May 5, 2025, [https://www.uefa.com/]
[5] Man Utd, "United's clinical display puts them within touching distance of Europa League final," May 1, 2025, [https://www.manutd.com/]
[6] Man Utd, "Fernandes and Maguire star as United turn on the style," April 17, 2025, [https://www.manutd.com/]
- The Europa League final is within reach for Manchester United, who have acommanding 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao following the first leg.
- Bruno Fernandes was the standout performer for United, scoring two goals and assisting another in the victory.
- Ruben Amorim, the manager of Bilbao, faces a challenge in overturning the three-goal deficit at Old Trafford.
- A win for United in the second leg would make them the seventh team to reach the Europa League final without a single loss in the campaign.
- If Amorim can achieve this feat, he would be following in the footsteps of fellow Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, who led United to a major European final in his debut season.
- Man Utd have shown impressive form in the Europa League, scoring more goals in the current campaign than any other team has ever managed in a single season.
- Historically, Athletic Club have struggled against English opposition, losing seven out of nine matches away from home. With injury doubt over leading goalscorer Inaki Williams, United will look to tighten their hold on the tie this Thursday in the second leg.
