Big boost for Man Utd as 17-goal Athletic Bilbao star picks up injury vs Las Palmas

Manchester United have been handed a big boost ahead of the Europa League semi-final ties against Athletic Bilbao.

The Red Devils qualified for the last four of the competition following a 7-6 aggregate win over French club Lyon.

United face Athletic in the first leg of the semi-final on the road on May 1.

They have been handed a potential boost ahead of the game, with Athletic midfielder Oihan Sancet picking up a fresh injury.

The 24-year-old has been Athletic’s stand-out performer this campaign with 17 goals and three assists from 32 appearances.

The Spaniard has suffered multiple short-term hamstring injuries this term. He was substituted after just 22 minutes of Athletic’s 1-0 La Liga win over Las Palmas yesterday.

It is unclear whether he will be fit ahead of United’s trip to the San Mames next week.

Athletic suffered an injury scare on Nico Williams earlier this month, but the winger was back in the matchday squad against Las Palmas and came on as a substitute.

Regardless of Sancet’s fitness, United will have to play at their best to qualify for the Europa League final against Bodo/Glimt or Tottenham Hotspur, also to be held at San Mames.

United were defensively vulnerable in both legs of the Europa League quarter-final against Les Gones.

Andre Onana was guilty of conceding a couple of goals with high-profile errors. The second leg saw Lyon capitalise on positional mistakes to race into a surprise 4-2 lead at Old Trafford.

United got out of jail with a tremendous late comeback to win 5-4. The club can’t afford something similar against Athletic, who are one of the best teams in Spanish football.

Sancet’s absence would be a big advantage but Athletic are still capable of winning games without him. They have the best defensive record in La Liga, with just 26 goals conceded.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .