Athletic Club suffer injury scare that could have huge impact on Manchester United Europa League tie

It has already been a week since Manchester United made history with their epic Europa League quarter-final comeback win over Lyon. It means it is also a week until they go again when they face Athletic Club in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

United will record their lowest-ever Premier League finish but could salvage their season if they win the Europa League and earn Champions League qualification. Athletic Club are themselves almost certain of Champions League football due to their La Liga form, though they have the added incentive of trying to win the final in their home stadium.

It is set to be another hugely entertaining two-legged tie with a huge prize at stake and Ruben Amorim's side may have a slight advantage ahead of the first leg after Athletic Club suffered an injury scare in their final match before they host United next week.

Athletic Club suffer injury scare

Athletic Club have been handed a huge injury scare ahead of their Europa League semi-final tie against Manchester United next month. The Basque club defeated Las Palmas 1-0 on Wednesday night thanks to an early goal from Inaki Williams, and do not have another match this weekend and are next in action when they face United next Thursday night.

There was some positive injury news when Nico Williams featured from the bench after he missed the weekend defeat to Real Madrid, but Athletic Club will sweat over the fitness of leading scorer Oihan Sancet, who was forced off during the first half after he suffered a knock.

It is unclear how serious the setback is, but his absence would be a huge blow ahead of the Europa League semi-final. Sancet has scored 17 goals in all competitions for Ernesto Valverde's side this season, though only two of them have come in European competition.

Athletic Club confirmed at least a Conference League place with their victory on Wednesday night, but will hope to end up in the Champions League for the first time since the 2014/15 season. A top-five finish in La Liga would be enough, though there is greater incentive to win their first European title when the Europa League final takes place at San Mames on Wednesday 21 May.

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