Update: Why Athletic Club boss is ‘confident’ ahead of Man United Europa League clash in clear warning News

Manchester United have been warned by Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde as the two teams prepare to lock horns in the Europa League semi-finals.

Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has issued a warning to Manchester United ahead of their Europa League semi-final tie.

Ruben Amorim’s squad have shifted their focus away from domestic affairs. Given their current 14th-place standing in the Premier League, which rules out European qualification through the league, the Europa League is their sole opportunity to salvage an otherwise disappointing season.

A two-leg triumph over Valverde’s team would secure a spot in the final on May 21, where they would face either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt in Bilbao. A win for Amorim’s side would then see them qualify for next season’s Champions League.

But Valverde appears to like his side’s chances of ruining United’s bid for a return to Europe’s elite competition. The Basque club beat Las Palmas 1-0 on Wednesday in LaLiga and will have a week to prepare for the first leg at the San Mames.

“The team are looking good, we’re in good shape,” he said via the club’s website. “This is what we wanted and we’re confident.”

Reds boss Amorim assessed Athletic in his post-match debrief of United’s thrilling quarter-final victory over Lyon last week.

“I played against them in the pre-season with Sporting. So, I know a little bit,” he admitted. “Of course, it’s a different moment.

“We know that they are really technical. They have two wingers, really good.

“But we’ll have time to assess all the characteristics of the opponent. And we need to focus a lot on what we need to do until that game.”

United will need to navigate a tricky test against Bournemouth before the first leg against Athletic on Thursday, May 1. The Reds travel to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday seeking their first win in the league since beating Leicester City before the international break on March 16.

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