Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United referee confirmed as 'unlucky' omen emerges
The latest Man Utd news as Ruben Amorim's side prepare to take on Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
The officiating team for the Europa League semi-final first leg clash between Athletic Club and Manchester United has been confirmed - with Espen Eskas taking charge of the game as referee.
United travel to Spain on Thursday night (8pm) as they look to take a lead into next week's second leg back at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim has already said that full concentration is on success in the Europa League, with the competition being the club's final chance - both to lift silverware and play European football again next season.
The side know they are just one tie away from the final in Bilbao, incidentally, this month. But first, they will face a tricky test in getting past Athletic Club in the semi-final.
Norwegian referee Eskas will be the man in the middle for the game at Athletic's San Mames Stadium. The 36-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2017.
This season, so far, has predominantly seen him referee in the Champions League, with him taking charge of the first leg of the quarter-final between Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. But he has also took charge of games in the Norwegian Elistrserien and the UEFA Nations League.
His most recent game saw him take charge of the Eliteserien match between Rosenborg and Molde this Sunday with the game ending in a 0-0 draw.
Eskas has refereed United on one previous occasion - but the result from that does not offer a good omen for their side. Back in December 2023, the referee oversaw the Champions League group match between United and Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
Kingsley Coman's goal in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides as Bayern ran out 1-0 winners. For the match against Athletic, Eskas will be assisted by Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Bashevkin. Morten Krogh will be the fourth official - while Aleandro Di Paolo will be on VAR duty and will be assisted by Daniele Chiffi.
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