Veteran midfielder Casemiro took the lead 30 minutes into the match in a raucous San Memes atmosphere on Thursday, with supporters wishing for their first-ever European trophy.
Five minutes later, when Bilbao defender Daniel Vivian was sent off for fouling Rasmus Hojlund in the penalty area, United, who are having a terrible domestically, were given a second boost.
Before the break, the United fans at the top of the table were in Dreamland as captain Fernandes fought through to seal the victory and perhaps even the tie.
With a weak second half, Bilbao struggled to recover from the defeat, leaving United with the most unlikely first-leg victory.
Harry Maguire, a United defender, stated to TNT Sports, “Of course it’s a great start, to get a victory here, and score three goals and keep a clean sheet.
Everyone is anticipating what we will endure, under all the pressure. We must properly prepare, and if we do that, we will have a good chance of succeeding.
One foot in the door of the finished product.
United can forget that they are on track to record their worst Premier League points total this season thanks to the Europa League, which has somewhat provided them with a safe haven.
United traveled to Bilbao as the only unbeaten team in any European competition, but they faced their toughest challenge yet, with Bilbao currently sitting fourth in LaLiga and having the worst defense in the division.
The first chance was better for the Bilbao players because they fueled the crowd’s enthusiasm early on. Victor Lindelof saved United’s blushes with a timely block on the line, but Inaki Williams should have headed home from a close-range header.
However, Casemiro did so on time to turn the momentum in United’s favor. After consulting with the pitch-side monitor, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas determined that Vivian had denied Hojlund a clear goal-scoring opportunity, branded a red card, and pointed to the spot.
Despite the ear-splitting whistles from the conceited crowd, Bruno Fernandes showed incredible composure as he calmly stroked home the penalty. When the United skipper rushed onto Manuel Ugarte’s film to add a game-clinching third, the whistles barely ceased.
In their seven Europa League games in 2025, United has scored more goals than they have in their 15 Premier League games this year, to highlight the contrast between United’s domestic and continental campaigns.
Since Ruben Amorim became coach, they have won more Europa League games than they have in the Premier League.
Casemiro’s second-half header came off the post, missing the mark, and could have even added a fourth.
Source: Aljazeera
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