Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United live early team news and how to watch Europa League fixture

Manchester United will be targeting a first leg advantage when they face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Europa League at the San Mames Stadium this evening, kick-off 8pm BST.

United progressed to the last-four of the competition with a dramatic quarter-final victory over Lyon a fortnight ago, coming from 4-2 down in extra-time to win 5-4 and secure a 7-6 triumph on aggregate.

That victory kept their season alive and maintained their ambitions of securing a first European trophy since 2017 and a place in next season's Champions League.

Bilbao are likely to offer United their sternest test yet in the Europa League this season, with the Spanish outfit finishing second in the league phase and sending AS Roma and Rangers packing in the previous two knockout rounds.

United head into the game looking to build on the last-gasp draw they earned at Bournemouth on Sunday, rescuing a point via an injury-time leveller from Rasmus Hojlund, who has failed to score in his last six Europa League appearances.

Follow the LIVE blog below for regular updates and analysis throughout the evening from the San Mames Stadium...

It's difficult not to see the tie-defining battle across the next week as being a contest between the wingers of Athletic and the wing-backs of United. Who will get on top? The Williams brothers are a massive threat out wide, with the pace they carry, the goal threat of Inaki and the unpredictable brilliance of Nico.

United's wing-backs are likely to be Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui. If they get pushed into a back five, or the space behind them is exploited, there will be problems. They have to control the battle out wide.

Here we go again, then. Just as it was against Real Sociedad in the last-16