I scored the last time Athletic Bilbao beat Man United - now I want to repeat trick 13 years later

When Manchester United line up against Athletic Bilbao in Thursday's first leg of their Europa League semi-final, they will want to avoid a repeat of the last time the two sides met.

After disappointingly falling out of the 2011/12 Champions League at the group stage, United ended up in the Europa League.

Having beaten Ajax in the previous round, everybody was expecting Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who had played in the Champions League final just a few months earlier, to breeze past Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the last 16.

But United were given a rude awakening and were blown away over two legs by a Bilbao side managed by Marcelo Bielsa.

United were beaten 3-2 at Old Trafford, despite a brace from Wayne Rooney, and then were beaten 2-1 in the return leg at San Mames.

Bilbao would go on to reach the final that season before eventually losing 3-0 to fellow Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

But Bielsa's side's relentless energy left an indelible mark on Ferguson, and every United fan inside Old Trafford that night, and it will be difficult not to allow memories of that defeat to spark fears over a repeat happening 13 years later.

"It was an outstanding performance by them, not only in their ability, but their energy was unbelievable," Ferguson said.

"The highest stats of any team that has played at Old Trafford in the last 10 years, in terms of the distance run. That is great credit to the desire of the team.

"They are very determined and organised, with a great belief in themselves. That is the hallmark of their coach. He has instilled these qualities in his team."

22-year-old Oscar de Marcos scored in both legs of Athletic's win over United and he remains at the club today. He will line up against them 13 years later and he