Athletic Club were unable to respond to Manchester United’s three goals in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie.
Manchester United beat Athletic Club 3-0 at San Mames Stadium to put one foot in the final, with Ruben Amorim’s side clinical in front of goal and solid defensively.
The hosts were also guilty of losing their heads after Casemiro’s opener. Just five minutes after the Brazilian gave the Red Devils the lead, Athletic Club were reduced to 10 men after Rasmus Hojlund was fouled in the box.
A penalty kick was then converted by Bruno Fernandes, who scored again before the break to make it 3-0.
It was a night that experience shone through, and United will be looking for much of the same when they take on Athletic Club at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Ruben Amorim singles out three Man Utd stars
There is no denying that United expected a tougher battle in Bilbao on Thursday night.
Credited as being the best defensive side in Spain, Athletic Club were unable to deal with United, especially after having a player sent off.
United fans were told to manage their expectations in the lead-up to the game, but many will be booking flights to Bilbao ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
Casemiro earned plenty of plaudits after inspiring United to victory, but do did two other experienced professionals, with Fernandes and Harry Maguire both standing out on the night.
In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Amorim took time to praise the United trio for helping the team on the night.
The United head coach also joked about Maguire’s new role as a wing following his role in Casemiro’s goal.
“It’s a semi-final in a European semi-final so these players like Casemiro, Harry [Maguire] and Bruno Fernandes help a lot,” Amorim said.
“Harry is a good winger! He has had different moments where everything he did was… I don’t want to say wrong but now, everything he does is good for the team so he has to enjoy it.”
Fernandes among top scorers
After scoring a brace against Athletic Club, Fernandes has taken his goal tally to 19 for the season in all competitions, on top of his 16 assists.
That means Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the only Premier League player with more goal contributions than the United captain this term.
Keeping Fernandes fit for the remainder of the season will be crucial in United’s bid to win the Europa League. The Portugal international could be rested against Brentford this weekend.
United have four Premier League games to play this season and they could finish as low as 17th after a dismal domestic campaign. It raises the question, where would we be without Fernandes?
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