Update: Manchester United already have major Europa League advantage vs Athletic Bilbao with boost clear News

Man United came back from the brink against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, and will hope to oust Athletic Bilbao in the last four.

Manchester United have long been prioritising the Europa League this season.

The Reds have been woeful in the Premier League for much of the campaign and are languishing in 14th heading into the run-in. After an exit from the Carabao Cup in December was followed by a penalty shootout defeat in the FA Cup to Fulham, Ruben Amorim only had the Europa League to aim for.

And after United’s run in the competition was extended in the most remarkable of circumstances on Thursday night with the astonishing comeback win over Lyon, the prize of a trophy and the guarantee of Champions League football next season is now only three games away.

Amorim’s side next face Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao with the first leg away from home on May 1. The return takes place a week later at Old Trafford and both will be bidding to be back in Bilbao for the final on May 21.

For Amorim, there is ample opportunity to rest and rotate with his side’s Premier League campaign effectively over. The Reds welcome Wolves to Old Trafford this weekend and the United chief has already hinted at resting tired bodies for the top-flight encounter.

United then visit Bournemouth before the trip to Spain, and face Brentford away in between the two fixtures with Bilbao. Given the importance of the European ties to the Reds, Amorim can justifiably rotate for the domestic matches, offering his squad the best chance of progressing past the La Liga side.

Bilbao will not have the same luxury. The Spaniards are very much in the thick of a top four chase in La Liga. And while they have a free weekend before the first leg with a game against Las Palmas eight days before United visit, they face Real Sociedad in between the matches with Amorim’s men.

And Bilbao cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal domestically. They currently sit fourth, in the final Champions League qualification spot, six points ahead of Villarreal but having played a game more. Ernesto Valverde’s side will not want to drop down the standings, with fifth place in La Liga not yet certain of an automatic spot in the Champions League for next term.

It means the chances for the Spaniards to rotate are less obvious than they are at Old Trafford. It could hand United a telling advantage as the clubs chase European glory.

—

Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.

And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.