Update: Man United already have Europa League semi-final advantage vs Athletic Bilbao News

Latest Manchester United news and gossip as Ruben Amorim and Co. look ahead to facing Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final

Manchester United may already have an early advantage over Athletic Bilbao ahead of their Europa League semi-final.

United reached the last four of the competition in dramatic style with a 5-4 win over Lyon in the second leg of their quarter-final on Thursday night at Old Trafford.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the final stages of extra time, United managed to get three late goals to secure a 7-6 victory on aggregate over the French club.

Goals from Manuel Ugarte, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire sealed the victory for United and booked a place in the semi-final against Bilbao. The Spanish club beat Rangers 2-0 on aggregate in their quarter-final tie this week.

Victory over Bilbao would see United face either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt in the final next month. Before then, though, Ruben Amorim and Co. will have to get past the La Liga outfit over two legs.

With the semi-final still a couple of weeks away, United may have an early advantage over Bilbao. The first leg will take place at the San Mames Stadium on Thursday, May 1, as United take on Bilbao on their home soil, which also happens to be the venue for the Europa League final.

Crucially for United, though, the second leg will once again be played at Old Trafford a week later on May 8. This means that United will have the advantage of having the home support in the favour for the second and deciding leg of the semi-final.

United have played at Old Trafford for the second legs of both the last-16 tie against Real Sociedad and the quarter-final against Lyon, scoring nine goals across both fixtures.

Amorim will be hoping that having the home support behind his team will give them the added advantage needed to book a place in next month’s Europa League final.

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