Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao are both in respective league action on Sunday
10:33, 04 May 2025Updated 10:34, 04 May 2025
Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde has dismissed rotation talk ahead of the Manchester United Europa League second-leg.(Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde has dismissed the suggestion that they will rotate with an eye on their Europa League second-leg against Manchester United. The Premier League giants return to Old Trafford with a solid three-goal advantage after their first-leg triumph on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim’s side are in action on Sunday as they travel to the capital to take on Brentford. There is nothing but pride to play for in the top-flight for United after their dismal league campaign and a win over the Bees could see them leapfrog Everton and Wolves into 13th.
The same can’t be said in La Liga with Bilbao in the driving seat to secure Champions League qualification next season, where they sit fourth and six points clear in the top five.
They’re back in Spanish league action on Sunday as they take on rivals Real Sociedad in the Basque derby looking to move to within four points of third-placed Atletico Madrid and a win would see them move five points ahead of Villarreal.
Bilbao have to overturn a three-goal deficit at Old Trafford, if they are to achieve playing the Europa League final at their home ground.
But with the semi-final on the horizon and a huge encounter in the context of their league campaign, Valverde admitted that the focus is on Sunday’s showdown.
“We have a very important game tomorrow,” he said.
“We’re approaching it as what it is. We have to take into account the efforts of the players and how they’re feeling.
“Then we have four days until Thursday, but we’re not thinking about the next game, but about tomorrow.”
On the second-leg against United, asked whether he remembers any three-goal turnarounds in competitions, he added: “I don’t know, I’d have to look it up.
“I don’t remember any, maybe you do.
“Last year Olympiacos came back from a 1-4 deficit maybe…
“We came back from a 0-3 deficit in the same season at home against Osasuna and Betis, who then drew with us.
“Not at home, not away. But you have to try things.”
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