Manchester United have a wildcard bench option to frighten Athletic Bilbao in Europa League

Brentford defender Rico Henry was lulled into a false sense of security by Amad, who pounced at the right moment with a sharp turn of foot to score for Manchester United last weekend.

The winger cut inside and scored with a driven shot. It was slightly fortuitous, as Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken shouldn't have been beaten, but Amad did brilliantly to create the opening.

Amad had a chance of winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award until he picked up an ankle injury in February, and now Bruno Fernandes has surged to favouritism for the prize.

Fernandes and Amad have been the standout performers in an awful campaign, although only Fernandes is guaranteed to start against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final.

Amad has just returned from his ankle issue and Brentford was his second substitute appearance since his rehabilitation, which suggests he'll start on the bench on Thursday night.

If Amad started against Brentford and got something like 70 minutes under his belt, the chances of him starting against Bilbao would have increased, but he came on at half-time.

Amad couldn't have done much more to make a case to start in the most important game of the season - he was influential and scored a goal - but Amorim is likelier to continue with Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho in the No.10 roles, which is where they started in the first leg.

Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro started in the pivot at the Estadio de San Mames, and a repeat of that defensive team selection would be logical, especially given United have a 3-0 advantage.

That does mean Amad would be named on the bench. He would probably be surprised to start after only just coming back from injury and can still play an important role in the tie.

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