RED DEVILS RUN RIOT: Fernandes Masterclass Puts United One Foot in Europa Final

In a display of ruthless efficiency, Manchester United demolished Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in their Europa League semi-final first leg, effectively placing one foot firmly in the Dublin final. A captain’s performance from Bruno Fernandes, who netted twice, along with Casemiro’s rare European goal, silenced the normally deafening San Mamés stadium on Thursday night.

United Withstand Early Pressure Before Taking Control

The Spanish side started brightly in front of their passionate home crowd, but it was United who thought they’d struck first when Alejandro Garnacho finished clinically after just 5 minutes. The Argentine’s celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee’s flag – replays confirming he had mistimed his run by mere inches.

This early warning shot seemed to settle the visitors, who gradually gained a foothold in the match against an Athletic side that had previously eliminated Barcelona in dramatic fashion.

Breakthrough Moment

United’s patience was rewarded on the 30-minute mark when unlikely source Casemiro opened the scoring with his first-ever Europa League goal:

• The Brazilian midfielder timed his run perfectly to meet Harry Maguire’s pinpoint cross
• Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón got a hand to the header but couldn’t prevent it nestling in the bottom corner
• The goal marked Casemiro’s first European strike in United colors after 27 appearances

Fernandes Takes Center Stage

The game’s decisive moment came in the 37th minute when Athletic defender Yeray Álvarez received a straight red card for bringing down Marcus Rashford, who had brilliantly spun past him and was clean through on goal.

Fernandes stepped up and confidently dispatched the resulting penalty, sending Simón the wrong way to double United’s advantage.

The Portuguese maestro wasn’t finished there. Just before halftime, he delivered what may prove to be the knockout blow:

• Receiving the ball 22 yards from goal
• Creating half a yard of space with a clever shimmy
• Unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner for his 19th goal of the season

Professional Second Half

Erik ten Hag’s men managed the second period with impressive maturity, restricting Athletic to just one shot on target despite the hosts’ desperate attempts to find a lifeline.

United could have added to their tally, with Rashford striking the post in the 67th minute and substitute Antony forcing a spectacular save from Simón late on.

“We came with a game plan and executed it perfectly,” said Fernandes after collecting his Man of the Match award. “The job isn’t done yet, but we’ve put ourselves in an excellent position.”

What’s Next?

The return leg at Old Trafford next Thursday (May 8) now appears a formality, with Athletic needing a miracle to overturn the three-goal deficit against a United side that hasn’t conceded in their last four European home games.

Should United avoid a collapse of historic proportions, they’ll face either Roma or Bayer Leverkusen in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 21st – potentially setting up Ten Hag’s second European trophy in three seasons at the club.

For Athletic Bilbao, pride is now at stake as they look to give their traveling supporters something to cheer about in Manchester next week.