Putting in what was a sensational Europa League performance on Thursday night, Manchester United stormed their way to a 3-0 victory away at Athletic Bilbao.
Claiming what was a sensational first-leg advantage at San Mames, Ruben Amorim’s men opened the scoring on the half-hour mark as Casemiro headed home and silenced the home support.
In what was already a real cauldron of noise in the Basque Country, the atmosphere was then ramped up as Dani Vivian was shown a straight red card following a lengthy VAR check.
Adjudged to have pulled back Rasmus Hojlund and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, Bruno Fernandes cooly converted from the penalty spot and doubled United’s advantage.
Things amazingly only got sweeter for the English strugglers just seconds before the interval as Fernandes thunderously swept home to notch his second of the night and United’s third.
Watching both Casemiro and Noussair Mazraoui hit the woodwork on either side of the half-time break, United were more than deserving of a comfortable buffer and Thursday’s performance will be seen as a real eye-opener.
As for Bilbao, really firing on all cylinders this season and firmly battling it against all of Spain’s elite, the Lions looked crestfallen at the full-time whistle and will look back on Thursday as a European nightmare.
Holding what is a dominant three-goal advantage, United will welcome Bilbao to Old Trafford next week for their second-leg meeting.
On a night when Manchester United ran rampant in the Basque Country, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Thursday’s showdown.
United’s best performance under Amorim
While Manchester United might have mounted that iconic Europa League comeback against Lyon a fortnight ago, Amorim has found serious pressure on his shoulders.
Despite arriving at Old Trafford back in November, United are firmly stuck in the bottom-half of the Premier League table and large sections of their support have made their frustrations abundantly clear.
However, while it might have taken almost six months, United produced their best performance under the former Sporting Lisbon boss and they must use this as a platform to build on.
Putting in a rampant first-half performance and not really having to get out of third gear after returning from the interval, Amorim was rightfully enthusiastic about what his side were able to demonstrate under the highest of pressure.
Desperate for Thursday’s performance to be a coming of age display, Amorim’s side will be relishing a return to Old Trafford and they chance to make another public statement.
A nightmare night for Bilbao
Comfortably sat fourth in the La Liga standings and appearing to cruise their way to a famous Champions League return this month, Athletic Bilbao have certainly cemented their spot as one of Spain’s ultimate surprise packages.
Booking their final four spot a fortnight ago as they secured a 2-0 victory against Scottish giants Rangers, Ernesto Valverde’s men were confident of collecting a heavyweight scalp here.
With many across the continent billing Thursday’s hosts as a standout contender to claim a first-leg advantage in the Basque Country, Bilbao will be bracing themselves for a backlash over the coming days.
Despite gaining a reputation for their rugged defensive performances, Bilbao had also not suffered a single defeat at San Mames across any competition since the middle of January.
Winning just a pair of their six Europa League appearances outside of the Basque Country during this year’s tournament, the former Barcelona boss is seeking what would be an astonishing miracle in Manchester next week.
Who else but Bruno?
With Hojlund notching just a pair of Premier League strikes so far this calendar year and with Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee set to miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, it is no secret that Manchester United have a new number nine at the top of their summer wishlist.
However, while Amorim’s side might have struggled to find a clinical edge with much stability, their talismanic skipper has enjoyed a sensational campaign.
Although Thursday’s guests might have broken a string of unwanted domestic records this season, Fernandes has been at the heart of anything positive United have produced.
Bagging a first-half brace here and spearhead Amorim’s change at San Mames, the Portuguese ace has now recorded 36 direct goal contributions across all fronts.
Only further cementing his spot as a modern era icon around the red half of Manchester, Fernandes has made it clear that European success is the only thing on his mind.
Match Report
Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala, de Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche, Ruiz Galarreta, Jauregizar, I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams, Sannadi
Subs: Prados, Gomez, Djalo, Paredes, Gorosabel
Manchester United: Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: de Ligt, Mount, Diallo, Shaw, Mainoo
Goals: Casemiro (30’), Fernandes (37’ P, 45’)
Yellow Cards: Athletic Bilbao: Alvarez, Berchiche – Manchester United: Yoro, Garnacho, Mount
Red Cards: Vivian (35’)
Referee: Espen Eskas
