Football
3 Crucial Calls Amorim Must Nail vs Bilbao – Including How to Stop Williams
Manchester United are staring at their final opportunity to salvage a disappointing season as they aim for Europa League glory. Their path, however, is far from simple, with a formidable semifinal clash against Athletic Bilbao standing in the way.
Ruben Amorim’s side, fresh from a dramatic comeback victory over Lyon in the quarter-finals, must now shift focus to the challenge presented by Ernesto Valverde’s men.
Bilbao, buoyed by a week of rest and the prospect of playing the final in their home city, are confident they can deny United a shot at Champions League qualification.

The threat posed by Nico Williams is a major concern. The electric winger has been cleared to play despite recent injury worries, and his pace and directness will likely be central to Bilbao’s game plan.
Williams thrives in one-on-one situations, particularly when his teammates pull the opposition narrow and high, opening channels for him to exploit.
Amorim, a staunch believer in his 3-4-2-1 setup, will need to ensure his right wing-back, likely Noussair Mazraoui, is not left alone against the Spanish star. With Diogo Dalot doubtful, defensive cohesion on United’s right flank will be crucial.
On the opposite side, Inaki Williams presents a different kind of threat. Operating from the right, closer to Bilbao’s No10 and striker, Inaki tends to drag defenses inward before bursting into space.
He offers physicality, pace, and an instinct for goal. This puts pressure on United’s left-sided center-back, a role that could be filled by Luke Shaw. While Shaw offers experience and technical quality, his aggression can sometimes leave gaps that Bilbao will be eager to exploit. His outing at Bournemouth showed both rust and promise, making his inclusion a calculated risk.
Midfield balance will be just as important. Kobbie Mainoo, returning from injury, offers composure and control under pressure—qualities United will need to bypass Bilbao’s high press. Amorim should resist the urge to deploy Mainoo in an advanced role.
Instead, pairing him alongside Casemiro in a deeper position can provide a solid base for United’s buildup play. Mainoo’s bravery on the ball and ability to progress play under pressure will be vital in transitioning through the thirds and avoiding turnovers in dangerous areas.
Bilbao’s style hinges on pressing high and committing bodies forward to win possession close to goal. United must respond with calmness, discipline, and a clear structure in possession. Mainoo’s presence could be the key to unlocking that, allowing the Red Devils to keep the ball and control the game’s tempo.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. United must overcome their poor track record against Spanish clubs and finally show the consistency they’ve lacked all season. A potential final against Tottenham looms, but first, they must conquer Bilbao’s aggression and the Williams brothers’ brilliance. If they fail, it will mark another chapter of underachievement. But with the right tactical decisions, there’s still a chance to end the season on a high.
Football
‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer
Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.
In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.
The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.
Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.
Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Football
Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider
Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.
The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.
With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.
Football
Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.
A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.
Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.
After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.
Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.
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