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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

Richard Jolly
at San Mames
,Lawrence Ostlere
Thursday 01 May 2025 23:43 BST
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Europa League triumph won't save Man United's season, insists Amorim

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.

Athletic Club 0-2 Manchester United

42 min: Ernesto Valverde makes two substitutions in reaction to the wild events of this first half. Captain De Marcos and the dangerous Berenguer are replaced by Gorosabel and Paredes.

1 May 2025 20:45

'Extraordinary'

An extraordinary few minutes for United. Suddenly, they have one foot in the Europa League final. Although they were 2-0 up against Lyon. And they did play against 10 men in the Lyon game. Neither went quite according to plan.

Senior football correspondent Richard Jolly at San Mames1 May 2025 20:42

GOAL! Athletic Club 0-2 Manchester United (Fernandes, 37 pen)

Bruno Fernandes steps up and calmly rolls the ball into the corner of the net after a familiar hop-run-up. Incredible composure inside a raucous, furious San Mames!

Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:40

RED CARD! Dani Vivian (Athletic Club)

And Vivian is sent off! He was denying a goal-scoring opportunity without trying to play the ball, and so the rules state he must go. Wow.

Vivian reacts after being shown the red card
Vivian reacts after being shown the red card (Action Images via Reuters)
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:38

Penalty to Manchester United!

What a couple of minutes for United. Mazraoui’s cross is heading for Hojlund in the six-yard box when the striker goes down under contact from his marker. The referee doesn’t notice it, but VAR does and it’s awarded after a pitch-side check!

Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:37

GOAL! Athletic Club 0-1 Manchester United (Casemiro, 30)

What a goal this is! Harry Maguire is forward after a set-piece and he makes a brilliant run down the right wing, twisting back and forth before swinging in a dangerous cross. Ugarte flicks it on to the back post where Casemiro heads home powerfully, and United lead.

Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:34

'Lindelof playing his part'

A word for Victor Lindelof, who probably would not be starting if any of Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt or Luke Shaw were fully fit but who has made a terrific goal-line clearance and started pretty well. Lindelof is likely to leave United this summer and at times it has seemed as if his time at Old Trafford was petering out. Not in a game like this, whatever happens.

Lindelof wins a header in defence
Lindelof wins a header in defence (AFP via Getty Images)
Senior football correspondent Richard Jolly at San Mames1 May 2025 20:32

Athletic Club 0-0 Manchester United

28 min: Hojlund flicks a header for Garnacho to run in behind, but the winger is offside.

Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:30

Athletic Club 0-0 Manchester United

Some pictures from a helter-skelter first 25 minutes:

Garnacho fires home before the flag goes up
Garnacho fires home before the flag goes up (Action Images via Reuters)
Casemiro challenges for the ball in midfield
Casemiro challenges for the ball in midfield (AFP via Getty Images)
Bruno gestures towards the referee
Bruno gestures towards the referee (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:27

Athletic Club 0-0 Manchester United

22 min: Bruno picks out Maguire at the back post but the centre-back is offside.

Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 20:23

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