[Havak]

I think most of the XI picks itself.

I'd say it's just a case of who starts from Amad, Lindelof, and Shaw. Maybe Mainoo is in over Ugarte also, but I doubt that one a bit more. I suppose it could also be Bruno in midfield with Casemiro and both Amad and Lindelof/Shaw start.

I'd probably go with:

Onana
Mazraoui Maguire Yoro
Amad Casemiro Ugarte Dorgu
Bruno Garnacho
Hojlund​

I do get the feeling it'll be Lindelof over Amad, with Mazraoui as the RWB though.

 

[Fortitude]

Very subjective comment. We bought Onana on the back of his heroics in a Champions League final. Donarumma has been far from impressive on plenty of occasions over his time with PSG. No question, a brilliant keeper makes a huge difference and Onana is having a pretty terrible time at the moment but lets wait till we don't win it because of Andre fecking up before being saddened. As it stands, despite having such an alleged incompetent in goals, we're on the verge of a European final. So lets hope for the best, eh?

Well, we're 3 up and I'm not relaxing until there's a couple of minutes left with a clear goal differential.

Best would be we go out and beat them again.

Re. Onana. He's done us out of Europe before, and off the back of that and his misdeeds this season, I simply don't trust him.

 

[stretford ender58]

We’ve been scoring freely in this comp, so we’ll definitely get a goal or two. It means they’ll need 4 or more. Not likely to happen. Stop stressing folks!

 

[Pablo76]

Anyone know a good place to watch this in Bristol? Moved here quite recently and I’m not really one for going out, but I’d like to watch tonight and (hopefully) the final of course?

 

[Gordon S]

I think most of the XI picks itself.

I'd say it's just a case of who starts from Amad, Lindelof, and Shaw. Maybe Mainoo is in over Ugarte also, but I doubt that one a bit more. I suppose it could also be Bruno in midfield with Casemiro and both Amad and Lindelof/Shaw start.

I'd probably go with:

Onana
Mazraoui Maguire Yoro
Amad Casemiro Ugarte Dorgu
Bruno Garnacho
Hojlund​

I do get the feeling it'll be Lindelof over Amad, with Mazraoui as the RWB though.

Shaw looks a bit rusty atm, but, his experience and quality might mean he starts over Dorgu who has been a bit meh so far.
And i would guess he at least wants to start with Maz on the rwb position, to have as much experience and defensive strength out there. But i would love Amad from the start. Could be lots of space for him if Bilbao pushes forward

 

[Wrecking ralf]

We’ve been scoring freely in this comp, so we’ll definitely get a goal or two. It means they’ll need 4 or more. Not likely to happen. Stop stressing folks!

1 goal from us and its over. They don't score many anyway usually and their top 3 scorers aren't playing. It'll be a nice relaxing watch for a change tonight. For a change

 

[mitchmouse]

It's nice for once being able to (vaguely) relax before a game: surely one goal would be sufficient to see us through...

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

It's nice for once being able to (vaguely) relax before a game: surely one goal would be sufficient to see us through...

I’d say getting the first goal tonight literally puts this tie to bed. If they get it then it’s a bit squeaky bum time as the 2nd goal ends up becoming crucial when it shouldn’t really have to be.

I’m sure they will come out all guns blazing and trying their best to get one of our players sent off to give them a chance but knowing that if they concede first then they might as well pack up early and get back to Spain.

 

[Utd heap]

Anyone know a good place to watch this in Bristol? Moved here quite recently and I’m not really one for going out, but I’d like to watch tonight and (hopefully) the final of course?

Worked there for three months two years back. Might be able to help. Which bit you in?

 

[Teja]

I think most of the XI picks itself.

I'd say it's just a case of who starts from Amad, Lindelof, and Shaw. Maybe Mainoo is in over Ugarte also, but I doubt that one a bit more. I suppose it could also be Bruno in midfield with Casemiro and both Amad and Lindelof/Shaw start.

I'd probably go with:

Onana
Mazraoui Maguire Yoro
Amad Casemiro Ugarte Dorgu
Bruno Garnacho
Hojlund​

I do get the feeling it'll be Lindelof over Amad, with Mazraoui as the RWB though.

I mostly agree with this take and other possibilities you listed. I really hope to see this line up and it's the first time I sort of feel like we're not sticking square pegs and round holes, so this should mean a good performance. Not just a good result. At home, two proper wide center backs, one CCB (maguire) who has been bossing it. Replicated a Quenda with Amad. More defensive fullback on natural foot with Dorgu. DM + runner combination with Casemiro / Ugarte in midfield. I don't think he starts Bruno CM with a 3 goal lead, it'll be conservative.

The deltas are:

Better passing ability from the back
#10s that can actually receive ball to feet, turn and carry
A striker that can win an aerial duel, run the channel, play some decent hold up (I still think Hojlund is capable of at least this)
Dorgu is kinda crap

If we still manage to feck up the build up and pressing my optimism about the final will drop significantly. Spurs are much better than this lot without the Williams brothers and Sancet.

 

[Florida Man]

I see us scoring 4 goals

 

[John XII]

I see us scoring 4 goals

Can you please confirm you're not a Basque.

 

[westmeath]

Athletic Club are available at massive odds to progress so if any of the stress heads really believe this could go wrong, why not just fill your boots and at the same time hedge against your crushing disappointment?

 

[Pablo76]

Worked there for three months two years back. Might be able to help. Which bit you in?

Thanks for the reply mate, currently working and staying near Avonmouth but happy to drive into the city centre or wherever for a decent place

 

[stretford ender58]

Athletic Club are available at massive odds to progress so if any of the stress heads really believe this could go wrong, why not just fill your boots and at the same time hedge against your crushing disappointment?

250/1 Bilbao and Bodo Gimps to go through

 

[ColvaleGoa]

How?

They are without many of their best players.

Williams brothers, Sancet injured and Vivian suspended.

We are Manchester United. We never do it easy. There is a sting in the tale here!

 

[ColvaleGoa]

Seems like utter madness that Michael Oliver has been selected to referee this one

You really had me there.......... But


UEFA have confirmed that Daniel Siebert will referee Manchester United's Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club. Assistant referees Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn will work alongside the man in the middle at Old Trafford, with Tobias Stieler fourth official.

 

[Mihai]

Valverde looks like his coming to check up on your boiler.

Bilbico Plumbers

 

[lysglimt]

With a 3-0 lead and the opponents missing possibly their 4 best players - not even we should be able to mess this up

 

[Camy89]

Absolute win win tonight.

I’ve put the remainder of my Betfair account, £7, on Bilbao qualifying.

Either United get a final or I get £182.

 

[always_hoping]

Athletic Club are available at massive odds to progress so if any of the stress heads really believe this could go wrong, why not just fill your boots and at the same time hedge against your crushing disappointment?

Any you putting on any money on Westmeath to win a 2nd Tailteann cup?

 

[Camy89]

Any you putting on any money on Westmeath to win a 2nd Tailteann cup?

No because I don’t follow quidditch

 

[Alan Partridge]

Absolute win win tonight.

I’ve put the remainder of my Betfair account, £7, on Bilbao qualifying.

Either United get a final or I get £182.

Which would you prefer

 

[Camy89]

Which would you prefer

United by far. But always good to have a plan B

 

[always_hoping]

You really had me there.......... But


UEFA have confirmed that Daniel Siebert will referee Manchester United's Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club. Assistant referees Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn will work alongside the man in the middle at Old Trafford, with Tobias Stieler fourth official.

Once Daniel Siebert was in charge of a United game before. Man United 4 Real Betis 1 two years ago. He was also in charge of Ruben Amorim last ever Sporting CP European game which was also a 4-1 win against Man City.

 

[Red Rash]

Absolute win win tonight.

I’ve put the remainder of my Betfair account, £7, on Bilbao qualifying.

Either United get a final or I get £182.

That's not a terrible idea, I may do the same to soften the blow in case we capitulate

 

[Oldham]

Yeah the first goal will be so important tonight. If we concede first it might get nervy. If we score first that should pretty much wrap things up...

 

[Cathy Ferguson]

Yeah the first goal will be so important tonight. If we concede first it might get nervy. If we score first that should pretty much wrap things up...

Lyon scored 4 in a row after we scored first. Don't expect a repeat. I think we'll win 2-1.

 

[westmeath]

Any you putting on any money on Westmeath to win a 2nd Tailteann cup?

No money no, it’s not a serious competition

 

[Oscar Bonavena]

We're 3 goals up, we're playing a team that couldn't score a goal against 10-man Rangers for most of the game and they're missing the Williams brothers.

Logically, I should be relaxed about tonight's game but this team have psychologically scarred me to such an extent over the past couple of years that I now believe (rightly or wrongly) that no catastrophe is beyond their capabilities.

I'd like to see a fast, aggressive start and try to get a goal in the first 20 minutes. I think that would pretty much kill the tie and Bilbao might start going through the motions at that stage.

I feel though we'll treat this like an away game, go softly softly and invite them on to us (and of course they'll be on the attack from the off).

 

[Sir Erik ten Hag]

Bilbao are pretty depleted with suspension/injuries are they not? Of course they have a mountain to climb tonight with the 3-0 aggregate deficit away from home but doing so without their main defender Vivian, the Williams brothers and their top scorer Sancet is going to be even harder.

Mountains are there to be climbed. We must be cautious. If there is anyone in Europe who can feck a 3-goal lead up, it’s us.

 

[Von Mistelroum]

Bilbao score in the first ten minutes. Mark my words. Then it's panic time for our fragile lads. Hopefully they can handle it...or more likely, Bruno can drag us through.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Yeah the first goal will be so important tonight. If we concede first it might get nervy. If we score first that should pretty much wrap things up...

Exactly - 1st goal is key tonight.

Bilbao can’t sit back and frustrate us, they will need to come out and attack us from the off which could play into our hands as we do better against those types of teams

 

[Sir Erik ten Hag]

Imagine the media meltdown if we win, Spurs lose and we qualify for the CL by beating Bodo Glimt

Too ideal. There’s no way things can go that well.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Too ideal. There’s no way things can go that well.

Big open topped bus parade, haven't had one for ages, that would seriously rattle their cages.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Mountains are there to be climbed. We must be cautious. If there is anyone in Europe who can feck a 3-goal lead up, it’s us.

Of course and that’s why I’ve said in my other posts that the 1st goal tonight is absolutely crucial. Literally puts the tie to bed if we get it as even Bilbao will know it’s too big a deficit to overturn.

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

Onana
Mazraoui Maguire Yoro
Amad Casemiro Ugarte Dorgu
Bruno Garnacho
Hojlund
​

I’d give Shaw, Mount and Mainoo minutes of the bench to continue to build their stamina back up. Shaw should be ear marked for Dorgu’s spot in the final.

 

[stepic]

Imagine the media meltdown if we win, Spurs lose and we qualify for the CL by beating Bodo Glimt

Especially when we finished 8th last year and still qualified for the Europa via fa cup

 

[Still ill]

Wait till we win the Champions League next year while being relegated!!

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Especially when we finished 8th last year and still qualified for the Europa via fa cup

Who would think winning trophies is good for you. That is what's missing from football now. All they are bothered about is CL even if they end up stinking the place out.