Bilbao, Spain (AP) — Manchester United don take a big step towards the Europa League final, as dem beat Athletic Club 3-0 for the first leg of the semifinals on Thursday. Dem score three first-half goals for this important win at San Mamés, where fans dey dream of bringing home their first European trophy.
Veteran midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring in the 30th minute, heading home from a perfect setup by Harry Maguire, who showed impressive wing play to create the chance. Five minutes later, the game change as Athletic defender Dani Vivian was red-carded for dragging down Rasmus Hojlund inside the box, with Bruno Fernandes converting the penalty kick to make it 2-0 just before halftime.
With the score at 3-0 after Fernandes added another goal from a slick assist by Manuel Ugarte, Manchester United put themselves in a strong position heading into the second leg at Old Trafford. United dominated the early exchanges, but upon taking the lead, they settled into a rhythm that was too tough for the depleted Athletic side to break.
“Of course it’s a great start to get a victory and score three goals with a clean sheet,” United defender Harry Maguire told TNT Sports after the match. “All the pressure will be on us. We need to prepare properly, and if we do that, we’ll give ourselves a great chance. One foot in the final, but it’s not done.”
Despite their struggles in the Premier League this season, United has found some solace in the Europa League, where they often perform better than in their domestic competition. The Red Devils had scored more goals in Europa League this season than in their league matches, pointing to a form that shows their capability on the European stage.
Earlier in the game, Athletic Club had shown promise, pressing hard and creating opportunities, with players like Nico Williams causing trouble for United’s defense. The atmosphere in San Mamés was electric, with fans hoping to witness their team reach a final that would take place at their home ground on May 21.
However, the tide turned sharply once Vivian received his red card, leaving Athletic a man down. This was a critical moment that shifted the momentum firmly in United’s favor. Fernandes’s penalty was a testament to his composure, even with the noisy crowd’s distractions.
“We know that nothing is going to save our season, but this can be huge,” United coach Ruben Amorim remarked post-match, emphasizing the importance of winning the Europa League. “A trophy and a place in the Champions League could change a lot for us.”
Athletic Club clearly struggled in the second half, failing to create meaningful chances to bring themselves back into the game. “After we went down to 10 men, it was hard for us to push for an equalizer,” Athletic player Iñaki Williams said. “United took advantage of our situation and we couldn’t respond.”
United’s next challenge is the second leg where they must build on this 3-0 cushion. If they manage to secure victory at Old Trafford, they would earn the right to face Tottenham Hotspur in the final, further adding to their hopes of silverware this season.
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