Ruben Amorim could be about to unleash a new Manchester United midfield vs Athletic Bilbao

Manchester United will be hoping to put one foot in the Europa League final when they face Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semi-final tussle at the San Mames Stadium this evening.

United progressed to the last-four of the competition a fortnight ago with a thrilling quarter-final victory over Lyon at Old Trafford, recovering from 4-2 down in extra-time to win 5-4 and progress 7-6 on aggregate.

That victory has kept United's season alive heading into the final month of the campaign, with their domestic season long since dead in the water. The Reds need to win the Europa League to salvage something from what has otherwise been a forgettable campaign and secure Champions League qualification for 2025/26.

Here are five things to look out for in the Basque Country this evening:

Having sat alongside head coach Ruben Amorim at yesterday evening's pre-match press conference, it is a virtual guarantee Manuel Ugarte will return to the starting line-up against Bilbao.

The defensive-midfielder started Sunday's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on the bench before being introduced with 25 minutes left and creating Rasmus Hojlund's last-gasp equaliser. The Uruguayan international traded places with Casemiro with 65 minutes on the clock.

Amorim's decision to withdraw Casemiro at that juncture was clearly done with half an eye on the clash with Bilbao, with the Brazilian likely to partner Ugarte in the engine room for the third Europa League game running.

When a club puts a player in front of the media at a pre-match press conference, it is usually confirmation that they will start the match they are previewing. Ugarte coming in for Kobbie Mainoo would not be a great surprise.

It is entirely possible Amorim will only make one change