Overview
- Athletic Bilbao hosts Manchester United in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals at San Mamés, which is also the venue for the May 21 final.
- Athletic, currently fourth in LaLiga, is pursuing their first European title and boasts one of the strongest defenses in Europe this season.
- Manchester United, sitting 14th in the Premier League, views the Europa League as a vital route to Champions League qualification after a dramatic quarter-final comeback against Lyon.
- Both teams face injury challenges: Athletic’s top scorer Oihan Sancet is ruled out, while United is missing several key players, including Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee.
- The match is broadcast internationally, including live coverage in the USA on Paramount+ and TUDN, highlighting its global appeal.