Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t believe what Athletic Club did vs Man United with 10-year Old Trafford record smashed

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Manchester United last faced Athletic Club in 2012 when they caused a two-legged upset against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Thirteen years after Manchester United were knocked out of the Europa League by the Spanish side, they will line up against each other again, this time in the semi-finals.

There is huge pressure on Ruben Amorim to win the Europa League this season, but to do that he will have to do what Sir Alex Ferguson was not able to.

United’s season hinges on the Europa League and the first leg takes place in Bilbao on Thursday evening. Amorim has done his homework on Athletic Club, and he can also learn from what Ferguson said in 2012.

Sir Alex Ferguson praised ‘unbelievable’ Athletic Club

Athletic Club beat Ferguson’s United home and away to secure a 5-3 aggregate win in the Europa League in 2012.

The Spanish side were managed by Marcelo Bielsa at the time, and Ferguson was full of praise for United’s opponents.

As quoted by talkSPORT, Ferguson said: “It was an outstanding performance by them, not only in their ability, but their energy was unbelievable.

“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.”

Ferguson also admits to being stunned at Bielsa’s decision to train on the same day as the match, a decision Bielsa argued “showed the players where to run”.

Man United warned about Athletic Club’s strengths

Ferguson was surprised by the intensity and running of Athletic Club 12 years ago, it’s up to Amorim to make sure his side are prepared this time around.

Amorim wants more physicality from United, and he has often addressed the need for his players to track back more and outrun teams.

Spanish media believes Athletic Club will go “all out” against United in the first leg when they hold the home advantage. United must be ready to match that intensity on Thursday evening.

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Before the clash, Christian Eriksen warned United about Athletic Club’s wingers – Amorim will be eager to keep both Inaki and Nico Williams quiet on Thursday evening.

In both the round of 16 and quarter-finals, United picked up a draw away from home and won the tie at Old Trafford – a similar strategy might be used against the Spanish outfit.