Intro:

Athletic Bilbao face an away match against Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday (8th March).

Athletic are having a strong season, but face one of the favourites for the competition, after the reigning English champions surprisingly failed to qualify from their Champions League group.

They have never won a match in England in seven attempts, but Coach Marcelo Bielsa says he is concentrating on his own side's performance, and not worrying about the quality of their opposition.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Marcelo Bielsa, Athletic Bilbao coach:

Athletic Bilbao trained on the pitch at Old Trafford, on a rainy night in Manchester, ahead of the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie against Manchester United on Thursday (8th March).

The Spanish side have one of the toughest draws in the round, against the reigning English league champions, but their Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa prefers to concentrate on his own side's attributes. 

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Andoni Iraola:

"I think that it would be silly to just ignore the fact that Manchester United as a club have a lot of quality, you have to be aware of that fact. But I think that, when you go into a game like this, you have to concentrate on your own resources, and concentrate on the things you've been doing well for the rest of the season. But obviously you are trying to perform at a slightly higher percentage, you may have to be at it more than you would in a regular league game."

Athletic are having a good season in La Liga and currently stand in fourth place after their weekend victory over Real Sociedad.

Vice-captain Andoni Iraola admits they are second favourites in the match, but there is not much between the two sides. 

"I have to say that, just like Manchester United, we as a club are here on our own merits. We are at this stage of the competition having fought a good campaign so far. While we know it will be a difficult occasion for us tomorrow night, and a tough game for us, we come here very positively with our attitude and our outlook."

The sides meet at Old Trafford on Thursday with the return leg in Spain seven days later.