
Manchester United Bruno Fernandes celebrates its second goal against Athletic Bilbao at Europa League. (Reuters) On Thursday, Manchester United secured a commanding victory of 3-0 over the athletic bilbaem in the semifinals of the first stage of the European League in the Nuevo San Mames, with Bruno Fernandes Bruno Fernandes scored twice and Casemiro added another. The match was marked by a key red card for Athletic’s Daniel Vivian and left hosts with 10 men when they faced a battle uphill in their efforts to achieve the final scheduled at their home stadium.
United weathered early pressure from Athletice before Casemiro opened scoring against running the game. The goal came from Harry Maguire’s Right side and set the cross that Manuel Ugarte failed for Casemiro to go home.
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The turning point came when Vivian was sent to withdraw Rasmus Hoyslund, which led to the punishment that Fernandes transferred. The Portuguese midfielder added a third before the half and received a smart belt from Ugarte before finding the net.
“I think this is the best result, because no one expected this result – but today you saw two games,” Ruben told Amorim to journalists. “First 25 minutes, after a target and sending.”
“In the first 20 minutes, we sometimes looked a little nervous … We meassed the storm and we knew we would get a chance,” said Harry Maguire TNT Sports. “It was the clinical first half, the professional second half … In the end it is a great victory, but next week is another big game.”
The match began by creating athletic’s Vrva supporters formed an enemy atmosphere, with Bilbao streets full of red and white striped shirts from the morning on the feast of 1 May in Spain.
Athletic, representing players who were born or raised in the Basque region according to their long -term policy, began strongly. Alex Berenguer forced to save Andre Onan while Inaki Williams headed across the bar.
United’s defense held firmly, with Victor Lindelof created a key block that denied Berenguer after a step on Williams Brothers.
The other half saw protest against athletic fans when Maroana Sannadi’s call for a foul against Maguire was rejected. United maintained control, but could not join them in spite of creating chances, including Noussair Mazraoui, which hit the attachment.
“The punishment and the red card … made the game. We got well at 11 against 11,” said athletic coach Ernesto Valverde.
“In the least contact, healing was fallen and bad luck was that he was punished,” Williams said. “We weren’t particularly great, so we shouldn’t apologize – we’re three goals down, but we’re able to mount the comeback.”
The result puts United in a strong position to achieve the final, where they would face Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt. The second leg will be played next Thursday at Old Trafford.