Nico Williams Fires Manchester United Warning Ahead of Europa League Decider

Man Utd vs Athletic Club: A Semi-Final with a Twist of Hope

In a clash that already has the hallmarks of European drama, Nico Williams has issued a rallying cry ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final second leg. His message to Manchester United? It’s not over yet.

The tie currently stands 3-0 in United’s favour, a commanding lead earned at San Mames last week. But for Nico and his brother Inaki Nico Williams, belief remains unwavering. Speaking to Spanish media this week, the duo made clear that they see Thursday not as the end, but as a new beginning — the final act in what could be one of the great European comebacks.

A First-Leg Collapse: Learning from Mistakes

Athletic’s usually formidable home record was dismantled by a disciplined United performance. Prior to last week, the Basque side had only lost once at home all season. That record came crashing down after goals from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, along with a game-changing red card for Dani Vivian, who conceded a penalty after tangling with Alejandro Garnacho.

“We weren’t very sharp, there’s no need to make excuses,” Nico Williams admitted candidly. His tone was one of accountability — a rare and refreshing trait in modern football. But with that realism came resolve. “We’re 3-0 down, but we’re capable of overcoming that,” he insisted.

His belief is grounded in recent form: “We’ve already seen that Lyon gave them problems at home and we’re going to try and do the same.” He was referring to United’s rollercoaster quarter-final clash with Lyon, when they nearly let a two-goal lead slip at Old Trafford, only to scramble a late rescue.

United Wobbling at the Wrong Time?

As Athletic prepare for what could be a historic night at Old Trafford, United are showing signs of vulnerability. Erik ten Hag’s side were beaten by Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend — their 16th defeat in the league this season. For a club of United’s stature, that’s a concerning statistic.

Athletic fans — and players — will be clinging to that. European form and domestic form are not always correlated, but confidence and rhythm are. United’s inconsistency could open a door, and the Nico Williams brothers are determined to find their way through it.

Inaki Nico Williams: “We Are Capable of Coming Back”

Older brother Inaki was just as vocal in his defiance. “We are capable of coming back,” he declared, echoing his sibling’s optimism. But he also expressed frustration with refereeing decisions in the first leg.

“There are some plays that raise doubts,” he said. “The play before the penalty comes from a handball by Garnacho, which the referee doesn’t see. It’s a struggle between Vivian and him. At the slightest contact, he goes down, and it’s unfortunate that he called it.”

Inaki’s grievances are shared by many around Athletic Club, who feel the officiating turned what could have been a close tie into a one-sided affair. Whether that frustration can be converted into fuel for a comeback remains to be seen.

Flickers of Belief: European Heritage and a Home Fortress

Athletic Club are not strangers to adversity. They are a team built on grit, shaped by one of Europe’s most unique recruitment philosophies — fielding only players with Basque heritage. What they lack in international flair, they make up for in cohesion and identity.

This season, that identity has carried them far. Their run to the semi-finals is no fluke, and the Nico Williams brothers are emblematic of that rise. Nico, still just 21, has emerged as one of Spain’s brightest talents. Inaki, a veteran of nearly a decade at San Mames, remains the club’s heartbeat.

Their form at home has been exceptional throughout this European campaign, and even at Old Trafford, they carry a sense of belief. Their coach, Ernesto Valverde, is no stranger to high-stakes nights. He’ll need to summon all his tactical acumen to outwit a United side with superior depth but a fragile mentality.

Manchester United’s European Dream: A Balancing Act

While the narrative in Bilbao is one of hope and redemption, United’s perspective is more complicated. They’ve been dominant in Europe this season, unbeaten and efficient. But the pressure is mounting. After underperforming in the Premier League and crashing out of domestic cups, the Europa League is now their last real shot at silverware.

The stakes are enormous. Ten Hag has already been under scrutiny for United’s inconsistent league form. Another European collapse, especially at home, would ignite calls for drastic changes.

Final Whistle Forecast: All Eyes on Old Trafford

So what can we expect when the whistle blows on Thursday? Fire. Emotion. And maybe — just maybe — something historic. United remain firm favourites, and rightly so. But football isn’t played on paper.

If Nico and Inaki Nico Williams have their way, Old Trafford could be in for a rude awakening. And for a club like Athletic — one steeped in tradition, but hungry for glory — the comeback trail is not just a dream. It’s a mission.

As Nico Williams put it so succinctly, “We’re in the final stretch of our dream. Our fans have always supported us and we’re going to give it our all.”

On Thursday night, that “all” might just be enough.