Manchester United: Biggest Weakness in Europa League Is Themselves

Manchester United picks up its Europa League campaign on Thursday afternoon, hosting La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.

This match won't be a battle between two giants in European soccer. Heck, this contest looks even more one-sided than when David took on Goliath. But Athletic Bilbao stands a chance—a very, very good chance—against Manchester United in this two-legged knockout round matchup.

Is it because Manchester United is overmatched? No. Sir Alex Ferguson's men literally have better players at every position as compared to Athletic Bilbao.

Is it because Manchester United is fatigued and has to play this match in the midst of a heavy Premier League schedule? No. The 3-1 win at Tottenham provided a good morale boost, and the Red Devils' next opponent is Wolverhampton.

Manchester United's strongest challenge won't be any player wearing an Athletic Bilbao jersey. It'll be hubris—plain and simple pride.

The boys of Old Trafford are an arrogant bunch. They certainly have reason to be—in the least decade they've won six league titles, a Champions League title, an FA Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. But good reasons to be arrogant have historically hindered prideful people.

Sure, Manchester United may get the first score or two of the match on Thursday, but what if they don't? During the 2011-12 season, the Red Devils have had five matches where they haven't scored first. Take a guess at what their record is when they're put into a 1-0 hole.

A pathetic 0-3-2. Three losses, two draws and not a single victory.

Now guess what Athletic Bilbao does better than all but two teams in La Liga? Score goals.

So far this season, only Real Madrid and Barcelona has put it in the back of the net more than Athletic Bilbao's 41 goals. In their last six La Liga matches, Athletic Bilbao has scored five goals in the first 25 minutes of matches.

It didn't change during their Europa League campaign either as Athletic Bilbao scored five of their 11 goals during group play within the first 37 minutes of each match and scoring in the 35th minute in the first of a two-legged series against Lokomotiv Moscow.

Is it likely that Athletic Bilbao can turn a major upset against a Manchester United team that's finally getting around to contending for the title?

The bigger question: Can Manchester United win a game where they're scored against first? Athletic Bilbao has the makings of a team that can net the game's first goal—even at Old Trafford.

Will the Red Devils bounce back?