Amorim targets UEL glory but Nico Williams is the man standing in his way

The white criss-cross facade of the Estadio San Mames shimmered in the spring sunshine on Wednesday. On one side of the ground, the Nervion River flowed past on its way to the Bay of Biscay. On the other, the tree trunks in Errukiaren Park were wrapped in tapestries woven in the red and white stripes of Athletic Bilbao.

It’s where Manchester United face the pride and passion of the Basque Country in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final this evening, and where they hope to return for the final next month.

Standing in their way are an Athletic team equally determined to win the first European trophy in the club’s history at their home ground, and one of Spain’s most exciting talents in Nico Williams who was singled out as ‘a special player’ by Ruben Amorim when United arrived here on Wednesday night.

It’s little more than nine months since the 22-year-old winger with the bleach-blond dreadlocks helped to break England’s hearts with a goal and man-of-the-match display in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Speaking at the San Mames on Wednesday, Williams exuded the confidence and calm of a young man who knows he will be a handful for United as well after recovering from a groin injury.

Is he feeling any pressure? ‘No,’ he replied with a smile. ‘I know that I have a certain reputation after my performance at the Euros, but that’s how football works.

'I want to play as I always do, with a clear head. If that happens, I’ll have a good match. I’m quite cool.

‘I’m a key player, right? But I think that we all are key players in the team. We are very focused with a lot of excitement, like the entire city and all the Athletic fans. Every kid dreams of lifting a trophy at the San Mames. It would be something unique.’

Williams is almost too young to remember Bilbao’s famous 2-1 win over United here in March 2012 when they knocked Sir Alex Ferguson’s side out of this competition 5-3 on aggregate.

It was one of only two previous occasions that a club known for only signing players from the Basque region have reached a semi-final in Europe.

United’s pedigree is altogether more impressive and Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde won’t be fooled by the juxtaposition of a team languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table still being the only unbeaten one in Europe this season.

‘United’s position in the Premier League is unexpected but we need to bear in mind we play one of the biggest teams in Europe.

'They can win the Europa League in a minute,’ said Valverde, who will be without injured top scorer Oihan Sancet on Thursday night.

‘These are one-time matches. Ten bad minutes can knock you out, and 10 good minutes can keep you alive - that’s what happened to United.’

Two weeks after that incredible comeback against Lyon in the quarter-final at Old Trafford, United flew into Bilbao with a 26-man squad that included Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt.

The two injured players returned to training on Wednesday although Amorim said it was too soon to consider starting either of them. Diogo Dalot, who would have had the job of marking Williams, is definitely out.

Despite admitting that ‘nothing can save our season’, the United boss acknowledged that automatic Champions League qualification and the £100million could make a big difference to his transfer plans in the summer.

‘This can be huge; winning a trophy and getting in the Champions League to play European games next year could change a lot of things in our club,’ he said.