Ahead of the semi-final second leg of the Europa League between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao, former midfielder Ander Herrera said the Basque team still had the opportunity to create a surprise, despite the 0-3 defeat in the first leg.
In an interview with Marca (Spain), Herrera – who used to wear both teams to assert the spirit and play style of Athletic can help them exploit the psychological weakness of Man United.
“If any team is able to turn the situation at the moment, it is Athletic. They are something very special, very separate in live matches.
They will make Man United hard. I believe that if Athletic scored for the first 15 to 20 minutes, everything could happen. I still hope. ” Herrera shared.
Despite having to march to Old Trafford without a series of pillars like Nico Williams, Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet or Dani Vivian, Herrera said that Athletic was still enough to make it difficult for the home team. He emphasized:
“I played for both clubs, I know Old Trafford is a special place. But I think Athletic can take advantage of the instability moments that Man United sometimes show.”
According to the former Spanish player, it is important that Bilbao must be loyal to the attacking game:
“Athletic needs to play attacks, because they don’t know how to play otherwise. In the first leg, they have two or three obvious opportunities, but it is true that the team encountered all the unlucky enough in football.
I think the players need to enter the battle with the mind ready to take advantage of the weakness that Man United has revealed in both recent fronts. ”
With Man United, the Europa League is currently the only way for them to win the right to attend the European Cup next season, making the pressure in this match heavily.
