Atletico Bilbao are having a better season in theory domestic league than Manchester United but this doesn't disrupt the fact that Manchester United can be a better team than them except their usual inconsistency kick in.
Let's see how their games will go, I won't judge Manchester United because of their position in the EPL because that is also from the poor management and his choice of players. Ruben Amorim has done well to brought them to this point Erik Ten Hag didn't do well in European competitions all his spares at United.
Buddy Manchester United is better than them in history but as for the current reality I don't think Manchester United is in anyway better than. Athletico Bilbao presently and I know you understand what I meant, the inconsistency as you outlined is what make them a horrible team this season, as for amorim management, he has been an excellent manager so far is just that the players don't know what to do again, they play football like confused people so they cirent problem of Manchester United can never be traced to amorim, although I will agree with you that this particular game is a different competition as such Manchester United shouldn't be seen as the weak ones here may be because of their position in their league standings although we'll see what they got soon, mate I want you to understand that if Manchester United former manager in the person of Erik Ten Hag did well in the European competitions doesn't necessarily mean that amorim will do well their but that doesn't necessarily mean that amorim is a bad manager.
There is no example that can explain if Manchester United is good in their game during the last two seasons because in the 2022/2023 season they were still able to finish third in the Premier League standings.
Manchester United's greatness only remains in the frame of history that is feared by many other teams. For next season and beyond, we never know how they will be.
Bilbao, the team that Manchester United will face this season, their level of play is above Manchester United. That's a reality.
Later, I will favor Bilbao because of the quality of their game even though Manchester United this season has performed beyond expectations during the UEFA Europa League with a new format.