Spanish police are preparing for Manchester United to visit Bilbao this week.
Manchester United continue their pursuit of European glory on Thursday night when they take on Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-finals.
As the only unbeaten team left in European competition, the Red Devils will aim to keep that record alive for the remainder of the campaign, especially after United’s 5-4 win over Lyon in the previous round.
Athletic Club secured their place in the semi-finals by beating Rangers 2-0 on aggregate. With the final being held at San Mames Barria, the La Liga side have a chance to lift the trophy on home soil.
This marks the first European meeting between these two sides since the Europa League round-of-16 in the 2011/12 season, when a Marcelo Bielsa-inspired side won the tie 5-3 on aggregate.
Moreover, United have lost three out of four European matches against Athletic Club.
The only win for United came in February 1957, when Sir Matt Busby’s side won the second leg 3-0, to clinch the tie 6-5 on aggregate. The goalscorers include Dennis Viollet, Tommy Taylor and Johnny Berry.
Spanish police plan ‘special operation’ for Manchester United visit
Spanish police could be accused of generalising football fans from Britain after issuing plans to ‘strengthen security’ for Manchester United’s clash with Athletic Club on Thursday night.
It has been outlined in a report published by El Correo that the police in Bilbao, who will also be preparing for the final in May, are pushing a ‘special operation’ for the first-leg at San Mames.
Spanish police officers are set to be deployed across the city ahead of the game to prevent a repeat of the behaviour experienced previously when Rangers took on Athletic Club in the quarter-finals.
The clashes between Athletic Club and Rangers fans resulted in six people being detained, alongside 13 injured. There were also incidents of rioting from Rangers fans after the match, though it was largely fans without tickets who got the blame.
One tactic to prevent such fighting will be to place ‘agents’ in areas such as bars.
Manchester United and Athletic Club injury concerns
The two teams have injury problems heading into the semi-finals.
Diogo Dalot is the latest United player to be ruled out of action with an injury, although there is a possibility that, like Joshua Zirkzee, the Portugal international will miss the rest of the season.
In better news, Matthijs de Ligt has a chance of making the matchday squad, but United are without no fewer than six players for the crucial game in Bilbao.
Meanwhile, Oihan Sancet is likely to miss the game for Athletic Club after being forced off in the 22nd minute of their 1-0 win over Las Palmas last week.
It is also understood that Athletic Club are sweating on the fitness of Spain winger Nico Williams.
Ernesto Valverde and Amorim will give team updates to the press this evening.
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