Man Utd include two ineligible players in travelling squad to face Athletic Bilbao in Europa League

Manchester United have named a pair of ineligible players in their travelling squad for their Europa League semi-final first leg clash with Athletic Club.

United face the Basque outfit in their biggest game of the season on Thursday, travelling to Estadio de San Mames before hosting Athletic in the return fixture next week.

Slumped in 14th in the Premier League after a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday, Ruben Amorim's side have the chance to end a poor season with a trophy and secure qualification for next season's Champions League if they go all the way in Europe's secondary club competition.

United will travel to Spain on Wednesday afternoon and 26 players will make the journey. However, some of the travelling party are not eligible to play in the fixture - namely the likes of Chido Obi and Sekou Kone.

According to Simon Stone of the BBC, United will stay overnight in Bilbao and train on the Friday morning before they return home and prepare for a Premier League game away at Brentford on Sunday.

With players expected to be rested for the second leg with Athletic, the aforementioned duo could feature against the Bees.

In a welcome boost for the Red Devils, both Amad and Matthijs De Ligt are in the United squad after recovering from injuries ahead of schedule. Amorim will speak to the media in a press conference on Wednesday evening, with midfielder Manuel Ugarte also joining him.

Ruben Amorim has named a 26-man travelling squad for the Europa League clash with Athletic Club. Image: Getty

Athletic were one of two sides to finish above United in the 36-team Europa League overall table, racking up 19 points from eight games.

If United get past Ernesto Valverde's men over two legs, they will face the winner of Spurs or Bodo/Glimt in the final at Bilbao's San Memes stadium on Wednesday 21 May.

Man United's travelling squad for Athletic Club clash:

Goalkeepers: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton.

Defenders: Amass, De Ligt, Dorgu, Evans, Fredricson, Kamason, Lindelof, Maguire, Mazraoui, Shaw, Yoro.

Midfielders: Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Kone, Mainoo, Mount, Ugarte.

Forwards: Amad, Mantato, Garnacho, Hojlund, Obi.