Athletic Club was left with their hope to reach a home final in San Mames in the Europa League that hung on a thread after the first stage. Manchester United Blitzed Los Leones in the 15-minute space and achieved a 3-0 win in Bilbao. If there is a comeback, then Athletic has to do their four best players without demonstrably.
Already in the first stage, Athletic Club was without top goalscorer Oihan Sancet, who has recently tried to return from a hamstring problem. It was hoped that he would be back in time for at least the second stage, but he did not make it.
To add injuries to insult, the men of Ernesto Valverde without brothers will be Inaki Williams and Nico Williams. The last one came in the first stage in Bilbao and has not trained with the group since. He misses and may require surgery this summer, just like Inaki Williams. The older brother played in the Basque Derby on Sunday evening, but was also removed with Spierongemak and had not returned in the time either.
In the meantime, Spain Central Defender Dani Vivian at the back is also absent by suspension, after he was sent in the first stage for a last man's challenge. It means that Athletic Club Manchester United will record with a series of young people in their team, and perhaps their four best players too.
At the back, Aitor Paredes and Yeray Alvarez will probably be the combination on the back, while the absence of Sancet, Nico Williams and Inaki Williams will probably be covered by Alex Berenguer, Unai Gomez and Alvaro Djalo.
With both Villarreal and Real Betis winning at the weekend, and Athletic's draw, this reduces their benefits in the Champions League race to three and four points with four more games to go respectively. Valverde can have the last part in mind, knowing that it would be disastrous if they would give up their Champions League place in the last games.