Manchester United vs Athletic Club Prediction: United to surely seal place in final

Manchester United are looking to finish the job and secure their place in the Europa League final when they welcome Athletic Club to Old Trafford (20:00, live on TNT Sports 1) for the second leg of their semi-final tie.

Ruben Amorim's side have put themselves in a strong position heading into the second leg, winning 3-0 away at Estadio San Mames last week. Read on for my Manchester United vs Athletic Club predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

United are sweating over the fitness of Matthijs de Ligt after the Dutch international was forced off with a muscle issue in the weekend's defeat to Brentford.

Toby Collyer will also be assessed prior to kick-off, however Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven all remain sidelined.

Chido Obi-Martin, who started at the Gtech Stadium on Sunday, will miss out here as he's ineligible for the Europa League, so Rasmus Hojlund will return to the starting XI.

Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes are also expected to be involved from the get-go on Thursday, while Amad Diallo could be handed his first starting berth since returning from injury, after impressive cameos from the bench in last week's first leg and Sunday's defeat at Brentford.

As for the visitors, Dani Vivian is suspended after his dismissal in the first leg, while Oscar de Marcos will face a late fitness test ahead of kick-off.

It has been reported that Inaki Williams, Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet have not travelled to Manchester for Thursday's contest so all three are expected to miss out.

Manchester United vs Athletic Club Odds

United are 21/20 to win in 90 minutes on Thursday, which gives them an implied win probability of 48.8%, the draw is 11/4 and Athletic Club are 5/2.

The Red Devils are 1/150 to win the tie, and Bilbao can be backed at 25/1 to progress to the final.

Bruno Fernandes leads the anytime goalscorer market at 7/4, followed by United teammates Diallo and Hojlund, who are both 2/1.

Manchester United to win and both teams to score @ 3/1

This should be a straightforward second leg in theory, but this is Manchester United we're talking about, who never seem to take the easy route.

Last week's 3-0 win in Bilbao has put United in the driver's seat ahead of Thursday's showdown at Old Trafford, but I'm anticipating the visitors to come out all guns blazing, and an early goal could unsettle the nerves.

Athletic Club will also be well aware of United's shortcomings at home, as they've kept just six clean sheets in 27 league matches at the Theatre of Dreams this term, as well recording just three shutouts in 13 Europa League fixtures.

Ernesto Valverde's side will also take heart from Lyon's quarter-final clash against Amorim's men, with the French side battling back from 2-0 down at Old Trafford to take the tie into extra-time with a 4-2 advantage.

However, United's late flurry of goals in that fixture demonstrated that the Red Devils won't go down without a fight, so I'm expecting another high-scoring affair on Thursday.

Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 7/4

Fernandes has been United's one standout performer this term, and is the club's joint-leading scorer in this competition with seven strikes.

The United skipper remains a decent bet to score anytime on Thursday at 9/5, as he inspired his side's first-leg triumph scoring twice in Bilbao, and has time and time again dragged this United side to victory in difficult periods.

The Portugal international has 21 goals across all competitions to his name this season, and let's not forget he's also on penalty duties, which boosts his chances further of scoring.

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