Manchester United might have one foot in the finals of the Europa League already after an away 3-0 win but nobody at the club will be mistaking the tie to be over.
One only needs to ask what Olympique Lyon almost did at Old Trafford to concentrate the minds of Man Utd players ahead of their most important game of the season.
It would come as a relief for Ruben Amorim then that Athletic Club’s key man has been seen missing training ahead of the all-important second leg.
He joins top-scorer Oihan Sancet who already missed the first leg and is set to miss the second one too.
Athletic Club star man misses training
Sancet’s absence was already a huge blow to Athletic’s prospects as they looked toothless in front of goal during those first 20 minutes when they created plenty of chances.
The presence of a clinical finisher and their top scorer this season could have made a difference and the tie could have looked much different than what it is.
Now, after losing their top scorer, it seems like Ernesto Valverde will also miss his top creative spark, as Nico Williams missed Athletic training before the game.
Spanish outlet El Chiringuito was at the training for the team and reported that Williams and Sancet missing out so their status remains uncertain.
Williams gave Victor Lindelof a tough time in the first leg and is their most high-profile player. He was called ‘special’ by Ruben Amorim ahead of the first leg so it will be a relief to the Man Utd manager.
Man Utd hold all the cards
Amorim’s team were favourites for the game anyway but Williams’ absence probably takes away the only remaining high-profile threat in Athletic’s ranks.
If United don’t manage to progress now with a win, it would be a much bigger catastrophe than the near-elimination at the hands of Lyon would have been.
The players know they only play just two games of consequence between now and the end of the season and any slip in standards won’t be forgiven.
That Lyon comeback has the fanbase feeling that the club has its name on the trophy, destined to win it this year, and Williams’ absence will only reinforce that feeling.
They hold all the cards for this one and their record at San Mames, Athletic’s stadium and the venue for the final, is now good.
They can’t afford to fumble this opportunity.
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