Bruno Fernandes @ Getty Photographs
Bruno Fernandes struck twice as Manchester United put one foot within the Europa League remaining with a medical away efficiency to beat 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Thursday.
The fervent house followers have been enraged when Athletic defender Daniel Vivian was despatched off for pulling again Rasmus Hojlund and Fernandes slotted house the ensuing penalty, after Casemiro had opened the scoring in opposition to the run of play within the semifinal first leg.
Fernandes rolled in a 3rd earlier than halftime as Ruben Amorim’s aspect moved a step nearer to the ultimate, to be held at Athletic’s San Mames stadium.
Man Utd will take an enormous benefit again to Outdated Trafford for the second leg 😤⏩#UEL | #SSUEL pic.twitter.com/jCqmba1LYq
— SuperSport Soccer ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 1, 2025
The hosts have been dreaming of profitable a primary European trophy on their very own soil however their hopes have been demolished by United’s skilled show within the north of Spain – and Athletic’s supporters argued, the refereeing.
Languishing in 14th within the Premier League, Champions League qualification for United is simply doable with a Europa League triumph, as is entry to the £100 million honeypot it entails.
Regardless of commonly crumbling underneath strain this season, the Pink Devils – who produced a surprising comeback in opposition to Lyon within the quarterfinals – first survived after which thrived in a hostile atmosphere.
With Might 1 a financial institution vacation in Spain the streets of Bilbao have been stuffed with red-and-white striped shirts from the morning onwards, with 1000’s of followers turning up at their crew’s lodge to see the Athletic bus set off for the stadium.
The San Mames was rocking, with followers elevating purple and white playing cards across the stadium forward of the sport to welcome the gamers, all of them born or raised within the Basque nation, as per the membership’s century-long coverage.
“This isn’t the theatre of desires, that is The Cathedral of soccer,” it learn on the again, a reference to the stadium’s nickname.
Alejandro Garnacho’s early strike gave the hosts a scare however the ahead was offside.
Past that the early levels of the match for United have been about gritting their enamel and holding off the Basque aspect and their raucous supporters.
RED CARD ROCKS HOSTS
Alex Berenguer pressured a wise low save from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, and Inaki Williams headed narrowly over.
Victor Lindelof made an important block to thwart Berenguer after Nico Williams fed his brother Inaki, who was given an excessive amount of area on the suitable wing.
The hosts have been ascendant and when former Actual Madrid midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring for United it got here as a shock.
Simply as a lot of a shock was the best way United created the aim, with centre-back Harry Maguire dribbling down the suitable flank as Mikel Jaureguizar floundered in his wake.
The defender fizzed a cross into the world which Manuel Ugarte flicked on to the again host for Casemiro to nod house from shut vary.
It appeared like a smash-and-grab however quickly United had a second, when Vivian was penalised for pulling again Hojlund as he tried to attach with a cross.
It was a key second. The defender was despatched off so as to add insult to harm, as Athletic followers howled in anger.
Fernandes rolled the penalty into the underside proper nook, sending Julen Agirrezabala the mistaken approach.
Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde made a double substitution, attempting to stem the bleeding, however his crew shipped a 3rd earlier than halftime.
Ugarte’s intelligent backheel performed Fernandes by means of on aim and he stroked house with ease.
Who would not love a Bruno brace? 😏⚽⚽
📺 Stream #UEL on DStv: pic.twitter.com/euBueSxtrD
— SuperSport Soccer ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 1, 2025
Noussair Mazraoui crashed a shot off the crossbar from the sting of the field as United virtually grabbed a fourth earlier than the break.
Norwegian referee Espen Eskas and his colleagues have been barracked by the house followers, seeing their aspirations to glory evaporate earlier than their eyes.
They have been additional enraged, waving the white playing cards from the pre-match tifo to point out their disgust, when Maroan Sannadi tumbled underneath strain from Maguire as he ran in direction of aim however no foul was awarded.
United largely managed the sport within the second half, with Casemiro and Fernandes making life arduous for the 10-man hosts, however they might not add a fourth regardless of probing.
The second leg takes place subsequent Thursday at Outdated Trafford, forward of the ultimate on 21 Might in opposition to Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt.
