Manchester United will reach the Europa League final if they can avoid a major upset against Athletic Club.
A 3-0 win over Athletic Club in Bilbao last week means Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League final.
Ruben Amorim insists the tie is not over and there is still work to be done at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, and United have been warned about Athletic Club completing a comeback.
Amorim will field a strong United side against Athletic Club to avoid complacency in what is undoubtedly United’s most important game of the season.
Tensions will be high at Old Trafford, and a former United star believes Athletic Club could come out on top.
Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty ImagesAnder Herrera predicts Athletic Club comeback vs Man United
Given the underwhelming season that United have had, there will be some nerves about Athletic Club completing a comeback if Amorim’s side start poorly on Thursday evening.
While Paul Scholes insists United are through, former United midfielder Ander Herrera predicts that the Red Devils could crumble.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, Herrera said: “If there’s a team that can do it right now, it’s Athletic.
“They’re a team that has something special and something unique about the knockout stages. They’re going to give them a hard time.
“I’m convinced that if Athletic manages to score a goal in the first 15 or 20 minutes, it’s possible.
“I have some hope. I’ve played for both clubs, and I also know that Old Trafford is special. But I think Athletic can take advantage of that moment of doubt that United sometimes have.”
Ernesto Valverde warned United ahead of the first leg, and he will set his team up to put pressure on the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
Ander Herrera wants Athletic Club to win Europa League
Herrera spent five years as a Manchester United player between 2014 and 2019 and the Spaniard quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford.
Under Jose Mourinho, Herrera won the Europa League in 2017 and started in the final as United beat Ajax.
However, Herrera also had two three-year stints with Athletic Club and he made it very clear that he is siding with the Spanish side.
Herrera wants Athletic Club to beat United in the semi-finals and go on to win the competition. Despite speaking extremely highly of United as a club, it seems Herrera is backing the underdog on Thursday evening.