Man Utd take huge step towards Europa League final with 3-0 win in Bilbao – five talking points | OneFootball

Manchester United secured a stunning 3-0 away win in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.

Casemiro’s close-range header set United on the path to victory before Bruno Fernandes added a second from the penalty spot, after a foul on Rasmus Hojlund which saw Daniel Vivian sent off.

And Fernandes added another before half-time to give United a big lead heading into the second leg.

Here’s five talking points from the game…

Bruno looks set to lead Man Utd to a final

It has not been an easy time as of late for Manchester United fans. The years of season-upon-season success are a distant memory, and the same fans who once were so accustomed to seeing their team fighting for the Premier League every campaign, have seen their beloved Red Devils become a mid-table team.

But there has been one shining light that has emerged during these dark times, Bruno Fernandes. Time and time again Fernandes has dragged United over the line, often single handedly winning the team games and bailing United out more times than fans would care to remember. He is the beating heart of this Manchester United side and the only consistent performer in a consistently inconsistent side.

Once again, Fernandes stepped up in the encounter against Athletic. As he so often does, he coolly converted his spot-kick to score United’s second of the evening, before slotting home on the stroke of half-time to put an emphatic end to a nightmare 15 minutes for Athletic Bilbao, and to put Manchester United one foot in the Europa League final. Leading from the front would be an understatement; a captain’s performance indeed.

Ugarte pulling the strings

In yesterday’s pre-match press conference, appearing alongside Ruben Amorim, Manuel Ugarte remarked: “The history of United is written with titles. Winning a trophy can be huge.” Indeed, the Europa League remains Manchester United’s only chance of redeeming what has been statistically their worst Premier League season ever, and Ugarte’s performance was instrumental in United moving one step closer to lifting the trophy.

The Uruguayan deservedly earned two assists to his name on the day, pulling the strings in the midfield and providing the link between the visitors’ defence and attack. United signed Ugarte for £50.5 million last summer and he has become an important player since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, and while £50.5 million is certainly a substantial investment, with performances such as his in Bilbao, Ugarte will have no problem living up to the price-tag.

United deal with a hostile atmosphere

A sea of red and white painted El Estadio San Mamés in the moments leading up to kick off, accompanied with an incredible level of noise. It was a concert of 50,000 voices from minute one to 90, with each and every fan playing their part in a collective chorus with one message: Aupa Athletic.

Each action from the hosts on the pitch was met with an equal if not greater reaction from the 12th man in the stands. United did a fantastic job of quietening the noise, however, and were thoroughly professional in what was a difficult place to play.

The final is set to be played in this very stadium in three weeks time, and if Athletic are able to pull off a miracle comeback and progress past Amorim’s side to the final-two, a huge home advantage undeniably awaits them. That looks highly unlikely however.

Maguire-inho

While the hosts arguably had the better opening half an hour of the encounter, a frantic five minutes saw the tie be turned quickly on its head. It was started by a sensational move down the right wing by Harry Maguire, who momentarily became a wizard with the ball at his feet and showed great footwork before whipping in a cross to Ugarte, who flicked the ball on to the unmarked Casemiro who headed home United’s opener at the back post on the half-hour mark. It was an astonishing bit of play from the England defender, who is not known for his silky skills, and he has been pivotal in United’s success in this competition.

Garnacho shows why Amorim has faith in him despite inconsistencies

Alejandro Garnacho’s 24/25 campaign has been inconsistent but it is clear that Amorim trusts the 20-year-old’s talent, though there have been one too many instances this season where Garnacho has struggled to make an impact on the game.

Much to his own and his manager’s delight, Garnacho was far from quiet throughout the encounter in Bilbao, not shying away from the ball and often being instrumental in advancing the United attack. His pace is always a threat and his direct runs in behind the Athletic back-line were crucial in allowing his side to gain a foothold and put pressure on the home side.