Sports Mole looks at the highlights, man of the match, and stats from Thursday’s Europa League clash between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United.
Manchester United’s 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final clash in Spain may have secured their place in the final.
United thought they had opened the scoring in the first five minutes through Alejandro Garnacho, but he mistimed his run beyond Athletic Bilbao’s defence and was offside.
However, Casemiro scored his first ever Europa League goal on the half-hour mark after Harry Maguire managed to create space and cross from the right touchline into the box.
The night would get better for the English side after Athletic Bilbao were reduced to 10 men and Bruno Fernandes scored a resulting penalty, and the Portuguese then netted his second of the night shortly before half time.
United controlled the second half and significantly limited their hosts, and the two sides will face each other in the second leg at Old Trafford on May 8.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
© Imago
After the turbulence that the Red Devils experienced against Lyon in the quarter-final, boss Ruben Amorim will not take his side’s progression into the final for granted.
However, the chances of Athletic Bilbao progressing are remarkably slim, and the Spanish side will have to win by at least three clear goals to take the second leg to extra time, something they have not accomplished in any competition in 13 games.
Amorim will know that winning the Europa League will secure Champions League football and may provide him with more funds for the summer transfer window, and he will be keen to get over the line next week at home.
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS. MANCHESTER UNITED HIGHLIGHTS
5th min: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) disallowed goal
© Imago
Garnacho thinks he has given the visitors the lead after Manuel Ugarte slips a pass beyond Athletic Club’s backline, but the goalscorer was in an offside position.
All level!
Casemiro goal vs. Athletic Bilbao (30th min, Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Manchester United)
MAN UNITED TAKE THE LEAD!
Casemiro opens the scoring after some excellent footwork from Harry Maguire 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/6AjnHBAI0m
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Maguire recovers Fernandes’s free kick delivery on the right side of the hosts’ box and makes room to cross into the penalty area, where Ugarte heads on to the back post for Casemiro to nod home from close range.
Brilliant by Maguire!
35th min: Daniel Vivian (Athletic Bilbao) red card
© Imago
Rasmus Hojlund is close to meeting Noussair Mazraoui’s cross from the right but is pulled back by centre-back Daniel Vivian, and the defender is sent off and a penalty is awarded thanks to a VAR intervention.
Such a silly challenge!
Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Athletic Bilbao (37th min, Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Manchester United)
Ice in his veins 🧊
Bruno Fernandes makes no mistake from the spot 🤩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5vDYpvDZeQ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Fernandes takes a stuttered run-up to the penalty spot following Vivian’s foul, and he sends goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala the wrong way before slotting into the right side of the net.
A dream first half from United!
Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Athletic Bilbao (45th min, Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Manchester United)
DREAMLAND FOR MAN UNITED!
Bruno Fernandes has scored two goals in seven minutes ⏰
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/6XIag6T0CX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
After strong link-up play between Hojlund and Ugarte in the Spanish side’s half, the latter manages to poke a ball through to Fernandes, who races clear before sweeping an effort into the right side of the goal.
That could be the tie over!
MAN OF THE MATCH – BRUNO FERNANDES
© Imago
Fernandes stepped up under immense pressure to put his side two goals ahead on Thursday night, and his second strike was a demonstration of his potency in the final third.
The Red Devils’ captain also created the most chances (three) and played the second most passes into the final third (12) of any player on the pitch.
ATHLETIC BILBAO VS. MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH STATS
Possession: Athletic Bilbao 28%-72% Manchester UnitedShots: Athletic Bilbao 9-14 Manchester UnitedShots on target: Athletic Bilbao 3-7 Manchester UnitedCorners: Athletic Bilbao 4-5 Manchester UnitedFouls: Athletic Bilbao 19-7 Manchester United
BEST STATS
Won a penalty and provided two assists in the comeback against Lyon.
Opened the scoring against Athletic Club.
Casemiro is reminding everyone of his brilliance this season 🤫 pic.twitter.com/BIM8PJ1Zf7
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
Bruno Fernandes is the first player ever in the Europa League to be directly involved in 30 goal contributions 🔴🪄 pic.twitter.com/9QuhVO1esz
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) May 1, 2025
Bruno Fernandes has now scored seven goals in the Europa League this season, the most by a Manchester United player in a single edition of the competition.
He overtakes Marcus Rashford, who scored 6 goals in 2022/23 (6 goals). ⚽️ https://t.co/phVxxknUed
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 1, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Athletic Bilbao return to La Liga action on May 4 against Real Sociedad before taking on the Red Devils in the second leg of their Europa League tie on May 8.
As for United, a clash against Brentford in the Premier League awaits them on Sunday, and they will play West Ham United on May 11 in their first match after the second leg.
No Data Analysis info
