“Man United is the only team we don’t want to face and that’s because of that guy, he’s so difficult to play against and we’re all scared of him”: Nico Williams names ONE Man United’s player who’s every Athletic Bilbao players’ nightmare. NICO IS SCARED OF ONE PARTICULAR UNITED’S DEFENDER

In a fiery and revealing press conference ahead of Athletic Bilbao’s Europa League semi-final showdown with Manchester United, Spanish winger Nico Williams admitted there’s one United player every Bilbao star is hoping to avoid on the pitch.

And no, it’s not Bruno Fernandes.
Not even Casemiro or Onana.
Nico made it crystal clear: “Manchester United is the only team we don’t want to face—and that’s because of that guy. He’s so difficult to play against, and we’re all scared of him.”

The player he’s referring to?
Lisandro Martínez.

Nicknamed “The Butcher of Amsterdam” during his time at Ajax, Lisandro Martínez has brought that same fearsome presence to the Premier League—and now, it’s spreading across Europe. Nico Williams, one of La Liga’s most electric attackers, had nothing but respect (and a little fear) for the Argentine defender.

“He’s aggressive, smart, and reads your movement before you even make it,” Nico said. “You think you’ve got a yard of space, and boom—he’s right there with a clean tackle or shoulder-to-shoulder that feels like a wall.”

Williams went on to say that Martínez’s intensity is unmatched, and that playing against him is not just a physical battle—but a mental one too.

“He never switches off, never gives you time. As a winger, that’s terrifying. He plays like every duel is personal,” Nico added.

Martínez, who returned recently from injury, has already made a huge impact on United’s backline again—and if he starts against Bilbao, it’s clear the Spanish side will be more cautious in the wide areas.

Nico is scared of one particular United defender—and that speaks volumes.
When even Europe’s most confident attackers are admitting fear, you know you’ve got a world-class warrior at the back.