Manchester United’s upcoming clash against Athletico Bilbao will be the big test for rising star Nico Williams, with the rest of the Premier League watching.
That’s according to AS, who cover the player, the upcoming Europa League semi-final against Manchester United while throwing daggers at Ruben Amorim’s side as well.
The newspaper states that ‘the Premier League awaits’ Nico Williams, with the rising star of European football set to be tested in the game at Old Trafford.
Williams shined at Euro 2024 and now wants to take the next step on the club level by overcoming Manchester United and winning the Europa League final at San Mamés on May 21st. He’ll be closely watched in the second leg in particular at Old Trafford, with several Premier League sides keen on him.
He’s more than ready for the game, declaring yesterday that “every kid wants to play at Old Trafford” with his ‘everlasting smile’.
“We have the goal of winning the Europa League and, next year, of taking the Champions League by storm. Little by little. I think our motto of going ‘on the down low’ is the best. We’re doing things very well, and we’ll continue like this to reach the final.
“The team is extraordinary, and we’re going to celebrate this victory. San Mamés deserves it more than anyone. We’re doing very well to reach the semi-final we want. One more step before the final, and hopefully we can get there.”
To do that Athletic will have to beat Manchester United, who AS say are a team ‘with more history than football’ and not ‘much of a threat’ for the Spaniards.
They say the win over Lyo was the ‘perfect definition’ of the current iteration, who are ‘capable of the best and the worst’ but without any ‘established order’ and ‘much more dangerous in chaos’ than normal play. In other words, they’re a bit of a mess.
They do praise Bruno Fernandes, the ‘metronome’ of the side, but aren’t impressed by an attack with ‘little firepower’ despite a ‘resurgent’ Alejandro Garnacho.
The newspaper believes that the ‘greatest danger’ they possess is the fact they have much more to gain than lose, because the Europa League is their only route to the Champions League next season.
Really, though, they don’t see Manchester United as a problem for Athletico or Williams, who is expected to shine with his English suitors watching, and clearly ready to do so.