Athletic v Man United LIVE: Bruno Fernandes inspires dramatic Europa League semi-final win
Manchester United thumped Athletic Club in a dramatic first half to put one foot in the Europa League final
Three first-half goals helped Manchester United put themselves on the cusp of the Europa League final on Thursday, with the Premier League side earning a 3-0 semi-final first leg win away at Athletic Bilbao.
In a raucous San Memes atmosphere, with supporters dreaming of a first-ever European trophy, veteran midfielder Casemiro arrived at the back post to give the visitors the lead 30 minutes in.
United, who are having a miserable season domestically, were given another boost five minutes later as Bilbao defender Daniel Vivian was sent off for fouling Rasmus Hojlund in the penalty area and Bruno Fernandes converted the resulting spot kick.
The United fans high in the top tier were in dreamland moments later as captain Fernandes raced through to put the seal on a victory, and perhaps even the tie, before the interval.
Bilbao, who have the added incentive that the final will be hosted at their own stadium on May 21, could not muster a response in the second half with depleted numbers, leaving United to coast to the most unlikely first-leg success.
Amorim: 'This tie is not over'
I think they have to think about the second leg," Amorim said of his message to United's players.
"And they have to think more about the first 20 minutes than the rest of the game because the game is going to be really tough.
"There is no away goals so anything can change and that is my message to the players, and we have to think now about Brentford and then the second leg."
Asked if that was United's best performance since taking charge in November, the United head coach said: "No, I think it is the best result because nobody expected this result.
"But, again, I think you saw two games today - the first 25 minutes and then after the goal, and also with the sending off the game changed.
"That was a good thing, also a good thing in the second half was we tried to be cautious.
"We create chances but the most important thing is that the opponent didn't get many shots to our goal and that was really important."
Amorim: 'This tie is not over'
Ruben Amorim told his players that the job is not done despite Manchester United taking a giant step towards the Europa League final with a memorable away win at 10-man Athletic Bilbao.
A return to San Mames for the May 21 showpiece against Bodo/Glimt or, more likely, Tottenham is within touching distance having seen out an early storm against a side desperately seeking to reach the final at their stadium.
Athletic flew out the blocks but imploded after Casemiro put United ahead in the 30th minute, with Bruno Fernandes keeping his cool to score from the spot after Dani Vivian saw red for bringing down Rasmus Hojlund.
The nerveless captain added another before the break to complete a 3-0 win for the Red Devils, who head into next Thursday's reverse fixture in complete control of the semi-final.
Tottenham deliver for Ange Postecoglou but late twist is a warning for what’s to come
United could well be up against Tottenham in the Europa League final, based on tonight’s results. Here’s is how Spurs got on in their semi-final first leg:
Tottenham deliver for Ange Postecoglou but late twist is a warning for what’s to come
Harry Maguire: 'The tie is not done'
"Of course it's a great start, to get a victory here and score three goals and with a clean sheet," United defender Harry Maguire told TNT Sports.
"All the pressure will be on us, everyone will be expecting us to go through. We need to prepare properly, and if we do that we'll give ourselves a great chance.
"One foot in the final, but it's not done."
Man United crush Athletic dreams in Bilbao on best night of Ruben Amorim’s reign
A few hundred metres from the Guggenheim Museum, Manchester United painted an unlikely, unforgettable picture of their own. It felt more surrealist than modern art but a team who had been failing and floundering at home, who risked being officially the worst United side in decades, entered one of the most intimidating atmospheres any of them will encounter, went 3-0 up in the first half of a European semi-final and dominated. Nothing, Ruben Amorim had said, could save their season, but that was before the best night of his reign, before a return to the Champions League, which once looked a pipe dream, felt all too real. Before this.
Read Richard Jolly’s report from San Mames:
Man United crush Athletic dreams in Bilbao on best night of Ruben Amorim’s reign
'You have to feel for Athletic'
Magnificent night for Manchester United, the best of Ruben Amorim's reign. They are the only unbeaten side in Europe this season, but few can honestly say this scoreline coming. To do it in a semi-final, under such pressure, was really impressive.
Have to feel for Athletic, though. Trophies probably do mean more to clubs who rarely win them and a final on their own ground seemed to offer a wonderful opportunity. Instead, they will be hosts but not winners. It all turned in 16 minutes and while the red card was probably the correct decision, it was also cruel.
Full-time: Athletic Club 0-3 Manchester United
What an incredible night for Manchester United. They have one foot in the Europa League final.
Athletic Club 0-3 Manchester United
90 min: There will be four minutes added on, and United look the most likely to score right now.
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