Ferdinand to line up in Bilbao

Rio Ferdinand is poised to start in Manchester United’s crucial Europa League last-16 second-leg tie at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

Chris Smalling is likely to make the bench after failing to fully recover from a head injury and with Phil Jones ruled out with flu, Ferdinand is set to start alongside Jonny Evans in defence.

Anderson is also sidelined with a hamstring injury as United look to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg at Old Trafford last week.

“Jones went down with flu yesterday,” manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed to United’s official website.

“Ando (Anderson) could be out for four or five weeks due to his hamstring. Some hamstrings are relatively straightforward but we have to wait and see how he is in the next week or so to get a better idea of where we stand with him.”

Ferguson said his side face a tough task in Spain but has pointed to United’s away form in Europe this term as a catalyst for their progression.

“It’s a difficult tie for us. Bilbao have a tremendous advantage after winning at Old Trafford. It’s a challenge but not one that is beyond us,” he said.

“Our record away from home helps us – we’ve done very well. We’re going to need a good performance.”