Wednesday, March 7, 2012

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08.03. (Thu) 21:05 Manchester Utd. - Athletic Bilbao

EPL-Manchester United v Liverpool, Wayne Rooney
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS


MANCHESTER UNITED

De GeaFabio, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra 
Nani, Carrick, Giggs, ParkHernandez, Rooney
ATHLETIC BILBAO

IraizozIraola, San Jose, Ekiza, Aurtenetxe
Martinez, Herrera
Susaeta, De Marcos, Muniain
Llorente

Manchester United are set to welcome Chris Smalling back after recovering from a head injury sustained during England's 3-2 defeat to the Netherlands last week and the former Fulham man may slot straight into the back line.

Anderson is also fighting for a starting place after two months out with a knee injury but the game comes too soon for Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley. However the Ecuadorian winger may be in contention for the second leg.

Athletic Club boss Marcelo Bielsa will be without long-term absentees Aitor Ocio, Carlos Gurpegi and Xabi Castillo for the first-leg clash at Old Trafford.

Midfielder Ander Iturraspe missed the Bilbao club's Basque derby with Real Sociedad at the weekend but is expected to return to the squad in time for Thursday's clash, possibly on the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Manchester United have won just one of their four European games at Old Trafford this season, a 2-0 victory over Otelul Galati in their Champions League group thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia.
  • Rooney is the Red Devils' top scorer in Europe this season with three goals in continental competition.
  • Athletic Bilbao are one of football's most taditional clubs, only selecting players of Basque heritage.
  • The Lions currently sit fifth in La Liga, 20 points behind second-placed Barcelona but surprisingly just 10 away from Villarreal who are 17th.
  • Fernando Llorente (pictured right) is the club's top scorer so far this seaosn with 19 goals but just two of them have come in the Europa League.
  • The Basque outfit have played seven games in England, drawing one and losing the rest.
  • The last meeting between the two clubs was all the way back in February 1957 as United triumphed 3-0 in a game held at Maine Road due to Old Trafford suffering from bomb damage.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
 
Man Utd. Man Utd. 3-1 Athletic Bilbao