On a memorable night at San Mamés Stadium, Manchester United defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals. With goals from Casemiro and a brace from Bruno Fernandes, the Red Devils built a commanding lead ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford. The dominant performance from the English side was highlighted by a stellar outing from Harry Maguire, who surprised many with his offensive contributions, and by the sending off of Dani Vivian, which left Bilbao down to ten men in the first half.
First Half – Red Devils Dominate and Decide Early
Manchester United stepped onto the pitch determined to impose their rhythm from the opening minutes. With an aggressive and compact midfield setup, the English side quickly took control of the match. In the 17th minute, Casemiro opened the scoring after receiving an assist from Harry Maguire a move that caught Bilbao’s defense off guard and highlighted the defender’s unexpected offensive contribution.
Athletic Bilbao tried to respond with high pressing but couldn’t break through United’s well organized defense. The hosts’ situation worsened in the 35th minute when Dani Vivian committed a harsh foul on Rasmus Højlund inside the box and was shown a straight red card. Bruno Fernandes calmly converted the penalty to make it 2-0.
Despite the lead, United continued pressing, and just before halftime, Bruno Fernandes struck again: in the 44th minute, the Portuguese midfielder seized on a loose ball at the edge of the box and fired a low shot into the corner, scoring the third goal. The first half ended with total dominance by the visitors and a visibly shaken Bilbao side.
Second Half – Control, Game Management, and Defensive Security
In the second half, with a three goal lead and a one man advantage, Manchester United adopted a more cautious approach, controlling the pace of the game. With Casemiro orchestrating the midfield and Maguire solid at the back, the Red Devils neutralized any attempt at a comeback from Athletic Bilbao.
Coach Ernesto Valverde made changes in an effort to inject energy into the attack, but the Basque team struggled against United’s solid defensive setup and had trouble creating clear chances. Without taking unnecessary risks, United maintained possession, made timely substitutions, and still threatened on a few counter-attacks, especially through Højlund and Garnacho.
The second half was marked by smart game management and composure from the English side, who effectively preserved the advantage gained in the first 45 minutes. The final whistle confirmed a commanding victory and a great team performance from Manchester United, who leave San Mamés with one foot firmly in the Europa League final.
Impact on the Competition
With the dominant away win, Manchester United is in a favorable position to reach the Europa League final. The second leg will be played on May 8 at Old Trafford. Even a loss by up to two goals would still see the Red Devils through. Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, must win by at least three goals to force extra time or by four to advance directly to the final.
Tactical Analysis
Manchester United
Under the leadership of Ruben Amorim, United implemented a solid strategy, exploiting the flanks and pressing Bilbao’s buildup. The team already showed superiority before Dani Vivian’s sending-off but took full advantage of the extra man. The defense remained well-organized, and Casemiro commanded the midfield, dictating the pace and distributing the play.
Athletic Bilbao
Coach Ernesto Valverde chose an offensive setup to press United early, but Vivian’s red card disrupted the team’s structure. After the dismissal, Bilbao struggled to realign defensively. Second-half substitutions failed to change the game, and the Basque side could not pose a consistent threat to United’s goal.
Individual Standouts
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): Scored twice and was the team’s undisputed leader on the field, orchestrating the attack with vision and precision.
- Casemiro (Manchester United): Opened the scoring and was crucial in midfield with his tackling and distribution.
- Harry Maguire (Manchester United): Delivered an assist and impressed with both defensive security and offensive involvement, earning the nickname “Harrydinho” on social media.
- Rasmus Højlund (Manchester United): Energetic up front, drew the penalty that led to the second goal.
Key Moments
Harry Maguire’s unexpected assist for Casemiro’s opener was one of the most talked-about moments, showcasing the defender’s versatility. Dani Vivian’s red card in the 35th minute for fouling Højlund inside the box was the game’s turning point, paving the way for United’s dominance. Bruno Fernandes’ second goal at the 44-minute mark practically sealed the match for the English giants.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Manchester United: Hosts Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on May 8 for the return leg of the Europa League semifinals.
- Athletic Bilbao: Travels to Manchester on the same date, needing to overturn a three-goal deficit to keep their European dream alive.
Manchester United showed poise and efficiency in their convincing away victory over Athletic Bilbao, taking a giant step toward the Europa League final. The English side exploited their opponent’s mistakes and benefited from outstanding performances by their top players. Bilbao now faces an uphill battle and must deliver a near-perfect game to have any hope of advancing.
