Referee Espen Eskas was whistled off the pitch after Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Ruben Amorim is under huge pressure to win the Europa League this season and his players rose to the occasion on Thursday to build a three-goal advantage ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
All three of United’s goals came in a first-half blitz and it all started with Casemiro, who was praised by fans for his dominant performance in midfield.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes was United’s best player and he added to the lead with a quickfire brace – the first of his two goals was surrounded by refereeing controversy.
Mark Clattenburg’s view on penalty and red card incident
After a quick start in Spain, the crucial semi-final clash erupted into chaos when United were awarded a penalty for a challenge on Rasmus Hojlund.
Initially it was denied by referee Espen Eskas, before VAR intervened and suggested an on-field monitor review. Not only did Eskas then award the penalty, but he also brandished a red card for defender Dani Vivian.
Former Premier League and Champions League referee Mark Clattenburg has spoken exclusively to United in Focus about the decision:
“They will be debating this decision for many days. The ball was played across the penalty area and Hojlund was ahead of Vivian trying to play the ball,” Clattenburg said.
“It’s very subjective if the contact on the shoulder of Hojlund was enough to award a penalty. I believe this call should stay with the on-field referee and he felt that the contact was not enough.
“Of course, in slow motion and with still photographs, you can make an argument that the contact is a penalty.
“Things were made even worse for Athletic Bilbao when Vivian, after VAR review, is sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
“This I disagree with as I am not sure Hojlund could reach the ball and never had control of the ball and this is very subjective so therefore it is not a clear goalscoring opportunity.
“I would prefer that the referee team played on in this situation with so much doubt about if the contact was enough to award a penalty with football being a contact sport. We had similar decisions in the Champions League this week being unpunished so consistency is needed.”
Man United learned from red card mistake vs Lyon
This is the second Europa League match in a row where United have found themselves playing against 10 men.
In the dramatic 5-4 win over Lyon, it seemed momentum would swing in United’s favour when Corentin Tolisso was sent off late in the second half.
However, instead of taking control, United collapsed and Lyon built a two-goal advantage. A remarkable three-goal comeback salvaged an important win, but there were lessons to be learned for Amorim’s side.
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In Bilbao, United put that into practice by taking complete control of the tie after Vivian was sent off.
While there will be some grumbles that United didn’t add to their lead in the second half, Amorim will be pleased at his side’s professional outlook after the red card.
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