Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League final after beating Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao.
Ruben Amorim saw Manchester United draw 1-1 with Bournemouth on Sunday as Rasmus Hojlund’s late goal salvaged a point.
United headed off to Spain as the focus turned back to the Europa League – and a possible passage into the Champions League next season.
United were a little shaky early on but found the opener as Casemiro headed home from Manuel Ugarte’s flick.
Dani Vivian’s red card for a foul on Hojlund effectively ended the game as a contest, with Bruno Fernandes stepping up to score.
Bruno added number three with Athletic unable to get back into the game, handing United an enormous advantage heading into the second leg.
Victor Lindelof on Harry Maguire
Casemiro dazzled United fans with one of his finest displays of the season, excelling in United’s midfield.
The Brazilian put United ahead, but only after some unexpectedly brilliant wing play from Harry Maguire.
United centre back Maguire found himself on the right flank and could have just knocked the ball back to Alejandro Garnacho – as many defenders would have done.
Instead, Maguire took on his man before putting a teasing cross into the box.
Ugarte flicked it on and Casemiro headed home, with Maguire producing a real moment of quality to set up United’s opener.
Maguire was the hero against Lyon in the last round, and has now come up with more brilliance as United chase the Europa League crown.
Maguire is the talk of social media after this moment of magic and Victor Lindelof has offered a brief reaction.
Lindelof posted ‘My winger’ on Instagram, alongside a photo of himself hugging Maguire.
Maguire responded with ‘big love iceman’, as the duo not only celebrated Maguire’s wing wizardry for the opening goal but also a crucial clean sheet in Bilbao.
Bruno Fernandes on Harry Maguire confidence
Maguire often showed off his ability to carry the ball out of defence at Leicester City.
We have seen a little less of that at United, and few really expected to see him popping up on the right wing.
Maguire demonstrated his quality, though, and Bruno Fernandes was just as impressed as Lindelof.
Fernandes told TNT Sports that Maguire probably surprised himself with his play down the right wing.
The United skipper added that Maguire now seems much more confident, emerging as a ‘very good leader’.
“I said it straight away – ‘what a winger’! I don’t think he even thought he had that in his locker,” said Fernandes.
“No one was expecting that, I think even the opposition was not expecting that to come.
“Obviously, we’re very happy. Harry is a much more confident man now. When he is playing, when you get the games, he’s also getting goals, he’s defending very well, his position is becoming more and more strong, he is a very good leader, so it’s a good thing for him and we hope he keeps improving,” he added.
Maguire has certainly impressed in the Amorim era and long may that continue – whether it’s in the middle of the back line or attacking the byline.
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