Athletic Club have announced a 24-man travelling squad as they prepare for the Europa League semi-final second leg against Manchester United.
The Basque side, trailing 3-0 from the first game in Bilbao last week, are set to be backed by almost 4,000 away fans in what promises to be a special occasion at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with the action kicking off at 20:00 BST.
Ernesto Valverde and his players are due to arrive in England on Wednesday afternoon, before the coach hosts a press conference in order to explain his selection.
There is big news as both of the Williams brothers are absent. The exciting forwards will be a big miss for Athletic Club, as Nico has failed to overcome groin issues that have dogged him recently, while Inaki has picked up a hamstring strain and failed to recover.
Top scorer Oihan Sancet has been battling hard to return in this huge contest but has run out of time and will be unable to contribute at this stage of the competition.
Defender Dani Vivian is out through suspension, after the red card he received in Bilbao for fouling Rasmus Hojlund, although the experienced Oscar De Marcos and Unai Gomez have shrugged off fitness worries.
Aingeru Olabarrieta, Iker Varela and Alejandro Rego have been added to the squad.
“If they could have been here, they would have been here,” Valverde said at his press conference at Old Trafford, when asked about the high-profile absentees. “It’s as simple as that because this is the most important game of the season. So they would have been here if they’d been fit.
“You can only put players in the side who are 100 per cent fit. I would have loved to have them in the squad and it’s a real miss but they can’t be here so there is no point thinking about them. We are a team and a squad over the whole season and have got to make do with it and struggle with the injuries we have got.
“They are key injuries but we focus on the ones who are here and can make a difference.”
Athletic Club will be severely weakened for the second leg of their **Europa League semi-final** clash against **Manchester United** at Old Trafford, as manager **Ernesto Valverde** confirmed the absence of key players:
### Major Absentees:
* **Nico Williams**: Out due to recurring **groin issues**.
* **Iñaki Williams**: Sidelined with a **hamstring strain**.
* **Oihan Sancet** (top scorer): Failed late fitness test after battling injury.
* **Dani Vivian**: **Suspended** following red card in the first leg.
### Squad Reinforcements:
In response, Valverde has included youngsters **Aingeru Olabarrieta**, **Iker Varela**, and **Alejandro Rego** in his 24-man travelling squad.
Despite the heavy 3-0 deficit and the absence of their most explosive attacking talents, the Basque club will be backed by nearly **4,000 traveling fans**, hoping for a miracle at Old Trafford on Thursday night (20:00 BST).
Valverde’s comments show realism and resolve:
> “They are key injuries but we focus on the ones who are here and can make a difference.”
### What This Means for United:
* With Athletic’s attacking threat diminished, United are in a strong position to secure passage to the final.
* Erik ten Hag may opt to **rotate** some starters, depending on his trust in the current advantage.
Would you like a predicted lineup or tactical preview for the second leg?
