Latest Manchester United news and gossip as Ruben Amorim and Co. prepare to face Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final
Ernesto Valverde, head coach of Athletic Bilbao(Image: Juanma – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
LaLiga have apparently already put a plan in place in the event that Athletic Club beat Manchester United in the Europa League.
United are looking ahead to their semi-final clash against the Bilbao outfit in the Europa League, with the first leg taking place in Spain next week. Ruben Amorim’s side will then host Athletic Club at Old Trafford on May 8, with a place in the final against either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt up for grabs.
If United were to get past Athletic they would return to the San Mames Stadium, home of the LaLiga club, in the Europa League final which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, May 21. With the date less than a month away, it seems plans are already being put in place for if Bilbao were to get past United in the semi-final.
Spanish news outlet Marca have reported that La Liga have a contingency plan in place to change the schedule in the event Athletic Club reaches the Europa League final. This would involve changing two of the club’s league fixtures to fit around the final at their home stadium.
As things stand, Athletic Club are scheduled to play Getafe in LaLiga on Thursday, May 15, less than a week before the Europa League final. If the Spanish club was to beat United over two legs, the report states that the fixture against Getafe would be moved to Wednesday, May 14 instead.
This, the report states, would then see Athletic Club’s next La Liga match against Valencia take place on Saturday, May 18, rather than a day later with the Europa League final being the following week.
The final will also take place in the middle of United’s final two Premier League fixtures away at Chelsea and at home to Aston Villa.
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