Manchester United v Atheltic Bilbao match preview
Date, time, coverage
Thursday 8 March 2012, 20:05 GMT kick-off. Live on Channel 5.
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Form guide
United didn't hit top gear at Tottenham but still won 3-1 to stretch the Reds' unbeaten league run to seven games. More pertinent to this fixture, however, is United's record in Europe. Sir Alex's men have won just one of four home matches this season and lost the most recent, against Ajax in the Europa League's previous round. Fans can take comfort, however, from knowing Athletic Club have lost on their last two trips into Europe, although they do come to Old Trafford on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 league victory against Real Sociedad in the Basque derby.
Ins and outs
Chris Smalling should return to the Reds' line-up after a recent head injury, while Anderson's presence on the bench at Tottenham proves he's also fit again. The game's likely to come too soon for Tom Cleverley and Antonio Valencia, although the winger could feature in the return leg a week later. Athletic are expected to travel with a full squad, albeit shorn of long-term injured absentees Aitor Ocio, Carlos Gurpegui and Xabier Castillo.
Last meeting
It's been 55 years since the two clubs last met, but it's a tie worth recalling if you're a United fan. Matt Busby's men travelled to snowy Spain in January 1957 and were outplayed to the tune of 5-3. But back in Manchester (at Maine Road as Old Trafford was without floodlights) United turned the tie around, sensationally sealing a 3-0 won on the night (6-5 on aggregate).
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