BILBAO, Spain — Manchester United don take big step toward Europa League final after dem beat Athletic Club 3-0 for di first leg of di semi-final on May 1, 2025. Dis match happen for San Mames Stadium and e don give dem plenty hope for di final.
Di goals come from Casemiro in di 30th minute, plus two goals from Bruno Fernandes in di 37th minute and a penalty in di 45th minute. Dis win come after Athletic Club player Dani Vivian receive red card for foul when e touch Rasmus Hojlund, and Fernandes convert di penalty.
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim sid dem dey in a good place to return to di final, where dem fit face Tottenham Hotspur, who don beat Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in dia semi-final. Amorim talk say di win no mean say dem fit relax. “We need to prepare for di second leg also. We need to be careful because anything fit happen,” he say.
Di atmosphere for di stadium show say fans don gather well, enjoying di chances to see dem team try lift European trophy. E be di first time United score three goals for first half of a major European game since 2020.
Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde talk say di red card and penalty ill-treated dem performance. “We feel say we for manage di game better in 11 against 11,” e say.
Bruno Fernandes talk say e proud of how di team perform but e want dem to score more. “We get plenty opportunity but we must control di game better,” he say. Dis game don see him level with di most assists in Europa League history, tying with Dries Mertens.
Manchester United don find new light for di Europa League, especially after struggling for form in di Premier League where dem don lose 15 matches dis season. “Dis competition dey give us hope and motivation,” Amorim say.
Di performance by Casemiro and Fernandes show once again why dem be key players. Fernandes dey highlight di need to keep improving, saying, “We must always aim for di highest level.”
In di other Europa League semi-final, Tottenham don gather plenty momentum, making dis season tense as all roads lead to Bilbao for di final on May 21, if United fit hold dem ground for di second leg.
As e dey stand, di return leg at Old Trafford go determine if United fit secure dia place for di final and potentially lift di trophy for di first time in years. Amorim and his squad dey hopeful, but di pressure go be plenty.
Fans and pundits alike go keenly await di second leg to see if Manchester United go confirm dis impressive display or if Athletic Club go fight back.
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