A Bruno Fernandes brace has helped Manchester United secure a 3-0 win at Athletic Club in a UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg clash in Bilbao on Thursday night.
The Red Devils started the game on a bright note and had the ball in the back of the net after just five minutes, only for Alejandro Garnacho’s effort to be ruled out for offside.
United would end up taking the lead after 30 minutes in somewhat surprising manner as Harry Maguire went down the right flank before conjuring a cross which Manuel Ugarte flicked on to Casemiro to head home at the near post.
Bruno Fernandes doubled United’s advantage seven minutes later, converting from the spot after Rasmus Hojlund was adjudged to have been fouled in the area, with Bilbao’s Dani Vivian getting a straight red card after VAR review.
The Red Devils captain extended the visitors’ lead three minutes later, beating the offside trap to run onto a backheel pass from Ugarte and smash the ball into the net.
Noussair Mazraoui came close to making it 4-0 with the last kick of the half, only to see his first-time strike crash off the Bilbao crossbar.
Ruben Amorim’s side held off their hosts in the second half, with Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt returning from injuries to get some minutes on the field as United came away from Spain with a 3-0 advantage.
The Europa League could end up witnessing an all-English final after another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur, eased to a 3-1 win over Bodoe/Glimt in the second semi-final first leg.
Brennan Johnson put Spurs ahead after only a minute on the clock in North London, while James Maddison in the 34th minute and Dominic Solanke just after the hour mark had Ange Postecoglu’s side coasting to victory.
However, Ulrik Saltnes gave the visitors a lifeline with a late goal to set up a tantalsing return leg in Norway next week.