Matthijs de Ligt set to miss Man Utd's clash with Athletic Club | OneFootball

Manchester United are expected to be without defender Matthijs de Ligt for their Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club on Thursday, after the centre-back was missing from training.

The Dutch defender returned to the United XI last week after a month out but then limped off after just 35 minutes in their defeat to Brentford at the weekend.

De Ligt’s potential absence comes as a blow for the Red Devils, who are aiming to secure their place in the final following a commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg in Spain.

Casemiro opened the scoring before Athletic were reduced to ten men following Dani Vivian’s red card. Bruno Fernandes then added two goals to give United a comfortable advantage heading into Thursday’s clash at Old Trafford.

Manager Ruben Amorim, who has overseen an impressive European run in his first season at the helm, will have to weigh up his defensive options in De Ligt’s likely absence with Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Johhny Evans also unavailable.

📸 JUSTIN TALLIS - AFP or licensors