Manchester United took a huge step towards reaching the Europa League final by beating 10-man Athletic Club 3-0 in a dramatic semi-final first leg in Bilbao.
Athletic looked sharper in the early exchanges, but after taking the lead through a Casemiro header, courtesy of some remarkable Harry Maguire wing play, the game and possibly the tie turned on a penalty and a red card. Dani Vivian was judged to have held back Rasmus Hojlund in the six-yard box and was sent off after a VAR review on 37 minutes, with Bruno Fernandes scoring from the spot and then adding a third eight minutes later.
United had chances to score a fourth in the second half but now return to Old Trafford next week in an incredibly strong position and on course to face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on May 21. According to The Athletic, this win could be huge for Manchester United, with Amorim reiterating his point about the Europa League being unable to save United’s season, but admitting that the silverware and passage to Champions League football would at least set up next season better.
As per The Athletic, Manchester United still need to finish the job at Old Trafford and win the final, but achieve that and the way they could approach the transfer market would be transformed. A move for Wolves’ Matheus Cunha is looking promising, while talks have been held over Liam Delap at Ipswich, but a bigger budget and a place at Europe’s top table would open many possibilities to reshape Amorim’s squad.
The Athletic reported that adding goals to the team is the main priority, even if nights like Bilbao make it seem like that is no issue. Heading into the game, Athletic held one of the meanest defensive records in Europe, but United had scored 28 goals in 12 Europa League games, not once failing to find the net.
Manchester United have lost 15 Premier League matches this season and sit 14th in the table, while Tottenham Hotspur have suffered 19 defeats and lie in 16th. Yet both sides went about their semi-final first legs as if they were the best teams in England, playing with supreme confidence week-to-week, as highlighted by The Athletic.
The Athletic also mentioned that Manuel Ugarte’s pre-match interview made the situation plain, stating that “the main difference is the physical part” and that they have felt better playing in the Europa League.
The penalty, the red card, and the Garnacho ‘handball’ claim were crucial in the game, with The Athletic providing detailed analysis of the incident.
Harry Maguire’s bold wing play was a key factor in the game, with The Athletic stating that he saw Lamine Yamal’s performance against Inter and said, “Hold my beer.” Maguire created the opening goal in a way nobody expected, picking up where he left off in the last round.
The Athletic also highlighted Fernandes’ performance, stating that he has always been good when wearing a United shirt, but has rarely been great. This season, his side has needed him to produce more than ever and he has responded to that call with gusto.
The final scoreline looks convincing, but it’s worth remembering how shaky Amorim’s men were for the opening 20 minutes. Fernandes doesn’t shake and once Casemiro gave United the lead in the 30th minute, the club captain took it upon himself to turn the screw.
Bilbao proved to be a great venue for a football match, with The Athletic stating that the San Mames atmosphere had shown itself well capable of hosting such a showpiece occasion.
Ruben Amorim was quoted by The Athletic saying, “I think they have to think about the second leg, and more about the first 20 minutes than the rest of the game. The game is going to be really tough. There is no goals away so anything can change. That is my message to the players. We have to think about Brentford and then the second leg.”
Amorim also praised Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund, stating that “it is a good lesson for all the players that sometimes you have some moments that you think I will never recover from this or that. It is not just Harry, the history of this game can tell you that. It looks like you are struggling a lot and then everything change.”
Manchester United’s next match is against Brentford on Sunday, May 4, at 2 pm UK time, 9 am ET.
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