Athletic Club 0, Manchester United 3 (Europa League Semi Final, 1st Leg)
Manchester United took a giant stride towards the Europa League Final after thrashing 10-man Athletic Club in Bilbao.
Goals by Casemiro and a double by captain Bruno Fernandes could see the Reds seal a swift return to Bilbao for the final of the Europa League after Dani Vivian was sent off in the 35th minute as the Reds sealed a first leg 3-0 win in the venue they now expect to be returning to next month for the final.
United withstood early pressure in the San Mames Stadium and should have been 2-0 down after Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer failed to break the deadlock – Williams missed the target while Victor Lindelof blocked Berenguer’s effort on the line.
Relieved by the let-off, United punished their hosts when Harry Maguire of all people burst forward with some skill on the right side before sending in a cross that was flicked on by Manuel Ugarte for Casemiro to head home after 30 minutes.
Seven minutes later Dani Vivian was sent off following a VAR review for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund.
With their hosts reduced to 10 men the United applied further pressure by profiting from the resulting penalty – a confident finish by Fernandes.
The Portuguese was released by Ugarte who flicked the ball on for him to add a third goal.
The impressive Casemiro could have added a second goal for himself but his header came back off the woodwork – in any case the Reds will be able to look forward to next Thursday knowing that only an epic collapse will prevent them from qualifying for the final after a 13 game unbeaten streak in the Europa League this term.
And with Spurs beating Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in their semi final first leg the odds are high for an all-English final in less than three weeks time.