MANCHESTER UNITED have firmly put one foot in the Europa League final after tearing Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their thrilling semis.
Casemiro nodded the visitors in front off the back of some Lamine Yamal-esque sily skills on the wing from Harry Maguire.
Things then went from bad to worse for the hosts as Dani Vivian pulled Rasmus Hojlund down in the box which led to a red card and a coolly dispatched Bruno Fernandes penalty.
And Fernandes then grabbed his second and United’s third of the night to give them a commanding lead to take back to Old Trafford next week.
RESULT: Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
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United roll back the years
Athletic Bilbao may claim that they will head to England next week with the belief they can turn this tie around, but history is not on their side.
In fact, of the 133 teams to have won the first leg of a UEFA Cup/Europa League knockout stage tie by 3+ goals away from home, every single one has gone on to progress.
Tonight’s 3-0 win at San Mames was also Manchester United’s biggest away win in a semi-final of a major European competition.
And in scoring three first half goals, the Red Devils did so in a European knockout away game for the first time since a European Cup quarter-final at Benfica in 1966 when George Best (2) and John Connelly were on target for Matt Busby’s team.
Athletic will travel with confidence
The Europa League semi-final between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao is not yet over, according to one of the Spanish side’s defenders.
Yeray Alvarez insists that the Basque outfit will travel to Old Trafford full of hope, and with the upmost confidence that they can stage a comeback.
It’s been a hard blow, we came in with spirits high. But we still have 90 minutes left, we have confidence, and we need to go there to make the comeback and try to turn it around. The word ‘confidence’ is what we need to focus on, and go there with the greatest of hopes.
Yeray Alvarez
Bruno delivers two more knockout blows
With his two strikes in Bilbao this evening, Bruno Fernandes took his goal involvements total to an astonishing 35 in all competitions this season (19 goals and 16 assists).
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (56) has been directly involved in more goals for a Premier League side in all competitions this campaign.
On the United agenda
Despite a significant first leg lead, Ruben Amorim has already indicated that he will manage his squad’s playing minutes ahead of next Thursday’s return tie with Athletic Bilbao.
That’s likely to mean fringe players get game time against Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday, while it would not be a surprise to see the Portuguese coach rotate his first team in the remaining games before the Europa League final back in Bilbao in three weeks.
Maguire magic sparks memorable night
A historic night for Manchester United may be best remembered for the scintillating wingplay from Harry Maguire in the build-up to Casemiro’s opening goal.
The defender left Mikel Jaureguizar for dead twice before delivering a fine cross that was eventually turned into, prompting social media users to coin him Maguire-dinho.
Afterwards, Ruben Amorim laughed and said: “He’s a good winger. There are moments in our lives, and Harry has had difficult moments, but now everything he does is good for the team so he has to enjoy this.”
Amorim warns against complacency
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim insisted that his players still have work to do in next week’s second leg despite their impressive showing in Bilbao.
And the Portuguese coach was also quick to point out that first leg in San Mames essentially turned on one moment – the sending off of Dani Vivian – and something similar could occur at Old Trafford if they took their eye of the ball.
The result is really good, but we have to understand the result at the same time. We struggled a lot at the beginning and the sending off changed the game. Any game can change with one situation. We had an opportunity to score one more. This is not done and they can do the same at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim
Maguire: We’ve one foot in the final
Manchester United’s wing wizard Harry Maguire believes his side have done the hard work and have one foot in the Europa League final.
The defender set up the opening goal with some marvellous play on the right flank, and afterwards spoke about a great performance and result.
However, the 32-year-old was quick to state that they’ll need more of the same next week to see the job through.
It was a clinical first half, and professional second half. It’s a great victory in the end but we’ve another big game next week. All the pressure is on us now, and everyone will expect us to get into the final. So next Thursday we need to make sure we prepare like we’ve done in this game, and if we do we give ourselves a great opportunity to make the final. It’s been a great night for us, we’ve one foot in the final but it’s still not done.
Harry Maguire
Match stats from San Mames
An all English final awaits?
The Premier League taking over Bilbao later this month looks a distinct possibility.
Not only did United win convincingly here this evening, Spurs also registered a first leg advantage.
The only downside for the Londoners was an 83rd-minute Bodo Glimt goal that offers the Norwegian some hope ahead of the second leg.
Europa League semi-final, first leg results:
- Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
- Tottenham 3-1 Bodo Glimt
Full time – Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
A result beyond Manchester United dreams.
The English giants would have been happy heading back to Old Trafford on level terms, but instead they’ll take a three-goal advantage into next week’s second leg – a leg attached to the one foot already in the final.
A trio of goals – two from Bruno Fernandes including a penalty – in a barmy 15-minute first half spell has the Red Devils in charge.
Barring a miracle or a disaster, United will be back in three weeks’ time for the Europa League showpiece.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
90+4. With the last kick of the game, Alvaro Djalo thumps a 30-yard free-kick straight at Onana.
The United keeper is no stranger to a mistake, but does his job to preserve a clean sheet and his side’s dominant lead in the tie.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
90. Manchester United are four minutes of stoppage time away from an excellent night’s work.
Gomez tries to get Athletic on the scoresheet ahead of the return but his header is high and wide of Onana’s goal.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
89. It’s keep ball for Ruben Amorim’s team now.
That said, you do get the impression that Bruno Fernandes wants his hat-trick.
The United captain is the only look still looking to push forward when he gets on the ball.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
87. United are seeing this one through to its conclusion.
The visitors have had 70% of the ball tonight, and twice as many attempts and attacks as Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
84. Ruben Amorim spoke about getting minutes in the legs of some his squad players, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Kobbie Mainoo is on, and so too is Amad Diallo for his first appearance since February 7th.
Alejandro Garnacho and Patrick Dorgu make way.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
82. Agirrezabala has made a couple of reflex stops to retain any slim hope that the La Liga outfit still had.
Bilbao’s stand-in goalkeeper has denied both Garnacho and Fernandes in the last couple of minutes.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
80. With ten minutes remaining, it’s already looking like an all-English Europa League final – and that’s with another leg to go.
Not only are United cruising 3-0 here, Spurs lead by the same scoreline at home to Bodo Glimt.
From Martin Blackburn in Bilbao
Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde was the Barcelona coach when they threw away a 3-0 lead at Anfield six years ago.
So he knows from personal experience that miracles can happen.
But the task facing his team from here is even bigger than the one Liverpool managed that night. United could have added to their three goals but Casemiro sent a header against the post.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
77. Mason Mount is penalised for a trip on Maroan Sannadi.
The substitute avoids a booking, but Bruno Fernandes is yellow carded, I think, for kicking the ball away.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
74. Luke Shaw is on for a slice of the action.
It’s a straight swap with the wing-back replacing Noussair Mazraoui on the left.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
72. Athletic continue to look for Nico Williams as a first option when retrieving possession, but it hasn’t clicked tonight.
In fact, we’ve seen very little of the Spanish international.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
69. Somebody just described Mason Mount as looking like an old American actor playing Mason Mount in a film adaptation, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
It’s spot on.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
67. United are playing this well, and are continuing to find space when they choose to counter.
Garnacho finds room in the box to strike at goal, only for Paredes get across to bravely block.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
65. Harry Maguire is still the focus of home displeasure after his involvement in that tangle with Maroan Sannadi.
And with that in mind, Ruben Amorim moves to replace the centre-back.
The returning Matthijs De Ligt is on in is place while Mason Mount takes over from Manuel Ugarte.
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Man Utd
63. Who said Casemiro’s legs have gone?
The Brazilian has been excellent tonight, rolling back the years with his midfield dominance.
In fact, he goes close to adding his second of night with a looping effort that clips off the bar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
