MANCHESTER UNITED are on the cusp of a first European final since 2021 after stunning Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes ran the show in Spain to sink one of LaLiga’s meanest defences.
Ruben Amorim opted for a bold XI as United faced up to Europe’s best home rearguard.
Bilbao had conceded just 11 goals at the Estadio de San Mames all season, with the arena a cauldron of noise in the early stages.
But after some half chances for the hosts, the game turned on its head following Casemiro’s opener against the run of play.
The Brazilian headed United ahead, with Dani Vivian controversially sent off just minutes later for hauling down Rasmus Hojlund in the box.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up to roll in the spotkick before adding to the rout on the stroke of half-time, firing past Julen Agirrezabala one-on-one.
Bilbao retreated into their own half for the remainder of the game, keeping the score down to three.
And United – so dismal for much of this season – are now overwhelming favourites to reach the Europa League final.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jim Sheridan rated the Red Devils in Bilbao.
Andre Onana – 6
Amorim chose to trust the error-prone shot stopper despite his calamitous Lyon displays.
And he looked assured in the early stages, saving brilliantly from Alex Berenguer.
It proved to be an important stop as Bilbao fell apart after going down to 10 men.
Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde was forced to blunt his attacking force as the goals reigned in, trying to keep the score down.
The Cameroonian was able to relax until the 94th minute, when Alvaro Djalo curled a weak freekick straight into his arms.
A welcome clean sheet.
Victor Lindelof – 6
The Swede was preferred over Luke Shaw in a back-three as Amorim trusted his veterans to provide stability.
And after a shaky first 15 minutes, Lindelof repaid the faith with a heroic block to deny Berenguer a certain opener.
The centre-back was perfectly placed to hack the ball off the line with Onana well beaten.
It proved to be a turning point in the match, with United stunning the hosts with two quickfire goals minutes later.
Lindelof otherwise wasn’t troubled and saw out just his second full 90 minutes since early March.
Harry Maguire – 7
Reports suggest United are sticking with Maguire after two seasons of trying to offload him.
And maybe Amorim should just send him upfront permanently.
The England man went on a stunning mazy run down the right wing, turning his man inside out before whipping in a brilliant cross for Casemiro to open the scoring.
Maguire survived a VAR scare after the break with the incensed home fans desperately calling for a red card against the 32-year-old.
But it would have been incredibly harsh – and Amorim swiftly replaced him with Matthjis De Ligt to deafening jeers.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
The Moroccan was given the unenviable task of marking Nico Williams out on the United right.
And he put in a superb shift, keeping the Arsenal target quiet before Bilbao were forced to change shape after the red card.
The 27-year-old had the final say of the first half, lashing a brilliant drive from the edge of the box against the bar.
He patrolled the right flank with authority, pocketing Williams, who had a stinker.
Leny Yoro – 7
The teenager completely lost Inaki Williams for an early header which should have hit the net.
That prompted an earful from Casemiro, who barracked the entire backline for switching off.
Yoro didn’t make the same mistake again, with Bilbao eventually forced to blunt their attacking options and play to keep the score down after going 3-0 behind.
The 19-year-old looked assured in possession as United strolled around the pitch in the second half. A class act and can only improve.
Patrick Dorgu – 7
The January signing was employed almost as a left-winger in the early stages, pushing miles up the pitch to get involved in attacks.
But it left the Dane isolated on the counter attack – and Berenguer had a field day in the first 20 minutes.
With more space on offer as the hosts fell to ten men, the full-back suddenly came to life.
And he enjoyed some strong runs up the flank as the hosts clung on for 3-0.
Casemiro – 8
The most experienced man on the field, the Brazilian knows how to be in the right place at the right time.
He looked a little overawed by Bilbao’s relentless pressing in the opening exchanges, with the home fans making a remarkable din.
But the midfielder was in the perfect place to power a bullet header past Julen Agirrezabala and open the scoring.
He almost made it 4-0 in the second half, sending another free header against the post.
Looking more like the player United thought they signed – now they’ve stopped trying to play everything through him.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
It was a horror show for the first 30 minutes from the Uruguayan, who had his pocket picked early in a dangerous area by Berenguer.
Onana bailed the midfielder out on that occasion with a smart save.
But Ugarte continued to give the ball away consistently in crucial areas.
Despite being a liability in his own half, he somehow walked back into the dressing room at half time with two assists.
The first a glancing header to set up Casemiro from Maguire’s cross, the other a gorgeous flick to unleash Fernandes.
United might have to put up with the unpredictable side of Ugarte if they want to see the best of him in the long term.
It might be a gamble worth taking.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
The skipper said before this game that United’s season wouldn’t be saved by winning the Europa League.
Whether he believes that or not, the Portuguese playmaker led by example in the Basque cauldron.
He stepped up tall to take a first-half penalty despite the deafening noise, sending the keeper the wrong way after a cheeky stutter.
And right on the stroke of half-time, there was nobody else you’d want going one-on-one when sent through on goal.
That’s now 37 goal contributions across all competitions for the often-maligned No.10 this season.
He’s almost single-handedly carried United to the cusp of unexpected European glory – a towering performance.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
The Argentine was a menace from the off, finishing brilliantly within five minutes only to be met by the offside flag.
Everything good from United in the first half hour came through the tricky winger.
And he consistently had the beating of full-back Yuri Berchiche.
Garnacho could only watch on and laugh as Maguire channelled his inner-Lamine Yamal just before the break.
But the only blot was – once again – being unable to chip in with either a goal or an assist.
That’s now 2 goals in his last 32 appearances across all competitions.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
The shot-shy Dane was tasked with scoring past Europe’s meanest home defence.
And despite struggling again for touches and shots, he muscled himself goal-side of Dani Vivian to deservedly win United’s first-half penalty.
As has become the norm, the £72million man worked his socks off with little end product.
He managed just four touches inside the Bilbao box – and failed again to get away any shots. A familiar story.
Substitutes
Matthijs De Ligt (65′) – Solid as a rock despite not having much to do off the bench. Good to see him back. 6
Mason Mount (65′) – Took just seconds to make his mark, slamming into Inaki Williams shortly after coming on. Clearly keen to impress but was needlessly booked for hauling down Mikel Jauregizar. 6
Luke Shaw (74′) – A strong foray forward down the left almost teed up Garnacho for a fourth. 7
Kobbie Mainoo (84′) – Small cameo for the England midfielder again, did what he needed to do well in the closing stages. 6
Amad Diallo (84′) – A welcome return to action for the Ivorian, who has been out since February. Some neat touches and looked sharp. 6
Read the full article here
