Manchester United’s full focus is on beating Athletic Club and winning the Europa League this season.
It’s been known for a while now that Manchester United have nothing to fight for in the Premier League other than pride.
The Red Devils fought until the end at the Vitality Stadium to salvage a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring a last-gasp equaliser.
But Ruben Amorim has admitted himself that United’s full focus is on the Europa League campaign which resumes on Thursday evening with the first leg of the semi-final against Athletic Club.
Amorim believes Sunday’s draw against the Cherries might have given his side some useful knowledge ahead of the clash.
Ruben Amorim explains how Bournemouth can help Man United in Europa League
Amorim made the decision to rest a few key players during the trip to Bournemouth, with Manuel Ugarte starting on the bench and the likes of Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off early to save their legs.
Tactically, Amorim will need to get Thursday’s clash spot on, and he believes there are some lessons to be learned from the Bournemouth draw.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Amorim said: “The way Bournemouth defend is quite similar to [Bilbao]. We can take things from this game. But again it is a new history and we must do better.”
Bournemouth did set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday afternoon – the same formation used by Bilbao this season.
Amorim also pointed out that Bournemouth’s manager Andoni Iraola is Spanish and could share similar philosophies to Athletic’s manager Ernesto Valverde.
Bruno Fernandes adds to Bournemouth and Athletic Club comparison
Despite playing the full 90 minutes against Bournemouth on Sunday, there is no doubt that Bruno Fernandes will be back in the starting lineup to captain United on Thursday evening.
Fernandes has been brilliant for United this season and the Red Devils will need him to step up against Bilbao.
After the Bournemouth draw, Fernandes agreed with his manager that there are similarities between United’s two opponents, although he picked out their winger setup.
As quoted by The Telegraph, Fernandes said: “Both teams are very intense with very quick wingers who are very good in one-v-ones.
“We have time now to try and focus on what Athletic Bilbao are going to do, but we have to focus on what we’re going to do.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/SsTOAMI