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The Red Devils now have the easiest path to the Europa League final
Manchester United’s path to the Europa League final just got a lot smoother as Athletic Club have confirmed that both Nico and Inaki Williams will miss Thursday’s second-leg clash at Old Trafford.
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Already trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Bilbao, the Spanish side face an uphill battle, now without three of their most dangerous players.
No Williams, No Sancet for Athletic Club
Athletic Club’s comeback hopes were slim to begin with, and now they’ve taken a massive hit with the confirmed absence of the Williams brothers and star striker Oihan Sancet.
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Nico Williams has not played since last week and missed the Basque derby against Real Sociedad, while his older brother Inaki started that match but limped off in the 62nd minute with a thigh problem.
The club issued a statement confirming Inaki’s injury, but kept Nico’s condition under wraps, although both are now officially out of the Old Trafford squad.
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Losing the electric pace and creativity of Nico, combined with Inaki’s leadership up front, leaves Ernesto Valverde’s attack severely depleted.
Manchester United one step away from European final dream
Aftter demolishing Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg, Manchester United will be licking their lips at the latest team news.
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Reuben Amorim’s side were already heavy favourites heading into the second leg, but the absence of Sancet, Athletic’s top scorer this season with 17 goals, means the threat from the Basques has dropped significantly.
The Williams brothers have long been key figures in Athletic’s counter-attacking system, and without them, the Spaniards may struggle to threaten at all.
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For Manchester United, the task is now simple: stay composed, manage the tie, and punch their ticket to another European final.
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