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Topics: Ander Herrera, Athletic Bilbao, Bruno Fernandes, Europa League, Football, Manchester United
Luke Alfred Davies
Topics: Ander Herrera, Athletic Bilbao, Bruno Fernandes, Europa League, Football, Manchester United
Former Manchester United and Athletic Club midfielder Ander Herrera has made no secret of which side he wants to progress ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.
Man United come into the match with a three-goal advantage, having put in a convincing performance in Bilbao last week, which saw them come away from Sam Mames with a 3-0 win thanks to a Bruno Fernandes brace and a Casemiro header.
And United arguably have one foot in the final and will face the winner of the Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur in the showpiece, which is set to take place at San Mames on May 21.
United boss Ruben Amorim admitted that Thursday’s clash is the “most important game” of his team’s season.
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After United's 4-3 Premier League defeat against Brentford on May 4, Amorim said: “We are losing games in the Premier League, but we are fighting for the Europa League, so we need to accept that and to think about now, Thursday which is the most important game for us.”
Herrera, 35, who has a foot in both camps, having been born in and played for Bilbao from 2011-2014 before going on to represent United 189 times, has made no secret of who he is backing ahead of Thursday’s clash.
“Manchester United are one of the favourites to win the competition,” he said via AS on Tuesday.
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“Since 2017, when I had the chance to win it, they haven't been able to lift the trophy again and, without a doubt, they have a chance.”
However, he explained how he’d rather Athletic reach the final.
“I hope Athletic reach the final... it will be a great match and, from Argentina, I am not going to miss it.”
Herrera enjoyed a successful period at United and won an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League. And he even made it into the Europa League Squad of the Season for his performances during the 2016/17 campaign, as well as being awarded Player of the Match in the final as United ran out 2-0 winners against Ajax, thanks to strikes from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.