Team News: Man United XI for Athletic Bilbao showdown revealed including surprise defensive starter

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed his starting side for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg with Athletic Bilbao, including a start at the back for Victor Lindelof.

The team shows two changes to the one that took to the field for the first whistle against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, with Lindelof and Manuel Ugarte being introduced for Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo.

Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt are both back in the squad after recovering from recent issues, while Shaw is again available, but Amorim has decided to select Lindelof, who is set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer, in the back three.

Diogo Dalot’s absence through injury means that Noussair Mazraoui will play as the right-sided wing-back, while Bruno Fernandes will feature alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund in the final third of the field.

As for Athletic, there will be a lot of eyes on Premier League-linked Nico Williams, who is fit to start.

Williams has been dealing with a troublesome groin issue of late, but the Spain international is in the XI alongside his brother Inaki Williams.

The Basque outfit are without the services of their leading goalscorer Oihan Sancet due to injury, but there is a start through the middle for Maroan Sannadi, who has one assist in four Europa league outings this term.

Another major decision has come between the sticks, where Julen Agirrezabala is given the nod ahead of Spain’s number one Unai Simon.

Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Jauregizar, De Galarreta; I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams; SannadiSubs: Simon, Gorosabel, Paredes, Vesga, Djalo, Guruzeta, Nunez, Lekue, Gomez, Prados, Canales, Adama

Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Lindelof; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Fernandes, Hojlund, GarnachoSubs: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, De Ligt, Fredricson, Kamason, Shaw, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount, Amad, Mantato

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