Manchester United ended up making a tough trip to Bilbao look easy with a comfortable 3-0 win over Athletic Club on Thursday night.
After what promised to be a nervy night, Ruben Amorim has more than just one foot in the Europa League final, taking a healthy 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford next week.
Manchester United were impressive on the night and never looked in doubt of picking up the win at a loud and hostile San Mames on Thursday night.
United thumped Athletic Club and should have won by even more goals, with chances still going amiss despite the clinical opening 45 minutes.
After this display, in which Bruno Fernandes scored twice, United are 90 minutes away from returning to Bilbao in three weeks time, with Spurs looking the likely opponent after their 3-1 win.
However, the scoring was all kicked off by Casemiro after a brilliant bit of play from Harry Maguire, who was the creative force.
Harry Maguire lauded by Danny Webber for attacking quality
Despite being the centre centre-back, Maguire was the main creative force for Casemiro’s opener with a brilliant bit of play down the right wing, by way of Manuel Ugarte. This unlikely partnership in attack also led to the win against Lyon.
Now, speaking on MUTV after watching the goal, pundits David May and, in particular, Danny Webber were wowed.
“Who’s that new winger?” May joked. “Maguire, what a winger. Absolutely brilliant from Harry Maguire.”
Webber then chimed in with some excellent praise for United’s No.5.
“When you saw him on the wing and he shaped up, I was thinking, ‘go on Harry’, and then he chopped it and the defender bought it, then he did him again, and then he just put it in the box.
“The cross is picture perfect. Magic, that’s what you want from your wing play.”
It was a brilliant moment, one which surprised many who might not have thought Maguire had this in his locker.
Harry Maguire explains how he felt after a brilliant cameo on the right wing
Maguire may have only spent mere seconds on the wing, but he made his impact felt just like he did when moved up front against Lyon.
Speaking after the game, Maguire admitted to TNT Sports that he enjoyed his brief cameo as a right winger.
“I found myself attacking the back post, I think [Alejandro] Garna passed me the ball, it was nice to do a bit of dribbling and put in a great cross.
“We had a lot of bodies in the box, and they must’ve trusted me to put in the cross. It was a nice feeling, and it was a great header in the end.”
Maguire was otherwise imperious in the game, barely putting a foot wrong and giving Andre Onana the easiest night at the office he has had in a long time.
As the weeks go by, Maguire’s importance only continues to grow.
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