The Current Squad:
Gk: 2 good keepers in the squad, one on loan and Mikel Santos coming through. The factory line won't stop. Insane amountsnof keeping talent from the Basque country.
Rb: Bye bye Oscar 😢 Club and League legend. Looking forward Gorosabel isn't a starter. Need a second who is ideally better than Gorosabel. Now the internal options are converting a squad player. A center back or a midfielder. I feel like Prados could be a decent shout. Maybe one of the center backs, I'd say Vivian if he wasn't so damn good at cb.
There's also Hugo Rincon on loan who Valverde didnt seem to fancy last year. Areso is an option but there's history there. Lekue is a bit part player. I don't see another practical option.
Lb: Boiro has broken through, I'm not fully sold yet on him as a starter but let's hope he keeps improving. Of course hope Yuri can keep his standards high. Post Yuri is scary. Any ideas if he's mentioned retirement?
Cb: Yeray, Unai Nunez (is he staying?), Vivian and Paredes are a good base. Unai Eguiluz is OK on loan in case more depth is needed. Or if Nunez doesn't stay or a cb is converted to rb.
Dm: Mikel has broken through and cemented his position. Alongside him unlike the more technical Inigo Ruiz. Vesga and Prados good options behind them. Unai Vencador on loan doing OK.
Am: Sancet the incredible. One of the best players in the league. Peio is good, best player in the b team and got some minutes this season too. I'm shocked Unai Gomez managed 45 games this season. I have not been super impressed I'm sorry.
Lw: Nico if he stays is set. Berenguer behind him. Jon Mrocillo doing well at Albacete and a possible addition. Nico Serrano and Malcom Ades other loaned options.
Rw: The ever dependable Inaki. Djalo behind him. Not a great first season, hope he can improve. Ollabarrieta got a couple games this year.
St: Gorka Guruzeta went from prime Benz to an average player this year. Maroan Sanadi came in outta nowhere and suddenly is an elite physical player already but lacks the technique and I'm not expecting him to be Gorka but needs to improve something.
Other than Nico and the occasional badly sourced Sancet rumor I'm not aware of any outgoing transfer link.
Tactically:
Cannot fault the defensive structure none bit. Been very intense and strong and the results show it. Best defense in the league. The biggest struggles are on the ball. Not great in possession and not good at finishing as much (although slightly over performing xg too) so maybe I'm being over critical of the finishing bc I didnt like the finishing from the two strikers. Overall this season felt worse than last but looking at the season in hindsight, was it really?
1.6 goals per game last year (61 in 38) vs 1.5 this year (53 in 36), so basically 5 fewer goals this season.
The team always dropped points after UEL games. Insane how consistently this happened. Despite that the club is at 67 points this season compared to 68 last year, with 2 games to go.
All the chances come from out wide or Inigo Ruiz de Galaretta. Something neither Boiro or Djalo ever did this year (again hope they improve and are more heavily relied upon but scary for now).
I am disappointed in the center backs distribution. This is one thing I think can just be improved individually. Although Vivian and Yeray have been good with long balls.
Been very over reliant on Nico's dribbling, not necessarily a bad thing, it's good to utilize your best players biggest strength. Just fearful of him leaving.
good link for a tactical analysis: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6323025/2025/04/30/what-manchester-united-can-expect-from-athletic-club/
B team players:
Boiro and Peio Canales ofc are already part of the squad.
Olabarrieta has made his debut too.
Mikel Santos is another good keeper in the factory line of keepers.
Alejandro Rego Mora has been called up and has done well in the b team. Good midfielder.
Benat Garenabarrena is another midfielder. Less likely to get into the team imo.
Iker Varela has been part of the squad and a LW. Tall guy, interesting profile.
Ibon Sanchez is an am and hence unlikely to break through.
Iurita is the academy right back. Fairly defensive, not as good as I thought Rincon was or is but an option nonetheless.
Jon de Luis is a left footed cb. Could play as a defensive lb.
Bizarre shout, Igor Oyono. 17 yo left footed striker. Moves into channels on the right. Played for Spain u17.
