Manchester United took a significant step towards the Europa League final with a dominant 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames, powered by a captain’s performance from Bruno Fernandes and a moment of madness from the hosts.
It was a match that swung on two pivotal moments in the first half: Casemiro’s opener against the run of play and Dani Vivian’s sending off for a desperate foul on Rasmus Hojlund. From there, United didn’t look back.
Bilbao had started brightly, spurred on by a raucous home crowd celebrating the May 1 bank holiday. Victor Lindelof was called upon to make a vital clearance off the line after Andre Onana had saved well from Alex Berenguer. Yet, just when the Basque side seemed in control, United struck. In an unexpected burst down the right, Harry Maguire often derided but now resurgent beat his man and delivered a sharp cross that Manuel Ugarte flicked to Casemiro, who headed home.
Then came the moment that broke Bilbao’s spirit. Hojlund was hauled down by Vivian as he prepared to shoot inside the box, and after VAR intervention, the defender was dismissed. Fernandes made no mistake from the spot, calmly sending Julen Agirrezabala the wrong way. The Portuguese maestro added a second just before halftime with a clinical finish after a clever assist from Ugarte, underlining his stature as United’s most influential player this season.
United were in total control after the break, nearly extending their lead through Casemiro and Mazraoui, the latter rattling the crossbar. Athletic, down to ten men, rarely threatened, and any glimmer of a comeback was extinguished by Matthijs de Ligt’s composed return from injury in the final half-hour.
Beyond the scoreline, the performance represented a microcosm of United’s season: underwhelming domestically, but defiant and opportunistic in Europe. Their knack for benefitting from key red cards this being the third successive knockout tie where an opponent was sent off has helped pave their path to the final, set to take place at this very stadium on May 21.
Ruben Amorim’s tactical discipline and the return of key players like de Ligt and Amad Diallo have come at a crucial moment. While Champions League qualification through the league appears out of reach, the Europa League offers redemption and perhaps a £100 million windfall.
Now 13 games unbeaten in the competition and with Fernandes cementing his legacy as one of its greats, United head into the second leg at Old Trafford with one foot firmly in the final. For a side that has often faltered this season, this performance showed there’s still belief, steel, and a little luck when it matters most.
Post a Comment