Manchester United’s judgement game of the season is here as Athletic Club await them in two rounds of the Europa League semifinals.
While it’s no secret that Man Utd’s season relies on the result of these two, then potentially a third and final game, Athletic Club are extremely motivated to play the final at their home ground.
Ruben Amorim will be well aware to not have any complacency in the squad after the Lyon tie which almost became a nightmare and he’s warned his players about a ‘special’ player in the opposition ranks.
That player has already admitted that he dreams of playing at Old Trafford so the team should expect a driven version of that already special player in the second leg.
Ruben Amorim’s ‘special’ Athletic Club player
Amorim had the opportunity multiple times during his engagement with the media in the lead-up to the game to repeat Andre Onana’s error.
Onana had called Lyon weaker than Man Utd before the quarterfinals and that was something which almost came back to bite him heavily.
Amorim, as eloquent as ever, didn’t take the bait and talk about Athletic’s shortcomings, and even took the time to call one player ‘special’.
When asked about Athletic’s strengths, he raved about the quality of their players in one-on-one attacking scenarios, singling out Nico Williams as someone special.
He said: “They are really strong as a team, really intense. They are really aggressive, even for a Spanish team, really aggressive, winning every duel. They have great players one against one, Nico Williams, very special player.”
Nico Williams’ Old Trafford dream
Amorim is right to be worried about Nico Williams, even more so because Williams’ injury almost forced him out of the tie so he’ll be extra motivated to make a difference.
Moreover, Williams has said that playing at Old Trafford is a dream, so he will want to remember that match in the best possible way, which is bad news for Man Utd.
Athletic’s injury news is already an obstacle for them, with the club missing their top-scorer this season so Williams will have to shoulder even more responsibility.
As a big-game player, he’ll relish that added pressure and with Diogo Dalot’s injury, he’ll be lined up against a makeshift right wing-back too.
That is a battle that can decide the fate of this fixture and Williams is determined to turn it in his favour.
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