Europa League: Man United dominate Athletic to take 3-0 semi-final lead

Manchester United secured a commanding 3-0 victory over

Athletic Bilbao

in the

Europa League semi-final

first leg at Nuevo San Mames on Thursday, with

Bruno Fernandes

scoring twice and

Casemiro

adding another. The match was marked by a crucial red card to Athletic's Daniel Vivian, leaving the hosts with 10 men as they face an uphill battle in their quest to reach the final scheduled at their home stadium.
United weathered early pressure from

Athletic

before Casemiro opened the scoring against the run of play. The goal came from Harry Maguire's run down the right flank, delivering a cross that Manuel Ugarte flicked on for Casemiro to head home.
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The turning point came when Vivian was sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund, leading to a penalty that Fernandes converted. The Portuguese midfielder added a third before halftime, receiving a clever backheel from Ugarte before finding the net.

"I think it's the best result because nobody expected this result -- but you saw two games today," Ruben Amorim told reporters. "The first 25 mins, then after the goal and the sending-off."
"We looked a little bit nervous at times in the first 20 minutes... we weathered the storm and we knew we'd get our chance," Harry Maguire told TNT Sports. "It was a clinical first half, professional second half... It's a great victory in the end but there's another big game next week."

The match began with Athletic's fervent supporters creating a hostile atmosphere, with the streets of Bilbao filled with red-and-white striped shirts from morning onwards due to the May 1 bank holiday in Spain.
Athletic, featuring players all born or raised in the Basque country as per their long-standing policy, started strongly. Alex Berenguer forced a save from Andre Onana, while Inaki Williams headed over the bar.
United's defense held firm, with Victor Lindelof making a crucial block to deny Berenguer after a move involving the Williams brothers.

The second half saw Athletic fans protest when Maroan Sannadi's appeal for a foul against Maguire was denied. United maintained control but couldn't add to their tally despite creating chances, including Noussair Mazraoui hitting the crossbar.
"The penalty and the red card... conditioned the game. At 11 against 11, we were doing well," said Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde.
"At the slightest contact Hojlund let himself fall and the bad luck is that the penalty was given," said Inaki Williams. "We weren't particularly great, so we shouldn't make excuses -- we're three goals down but we're capable of mounting a comeback."
The result puts United in a strong position to reach the final, where they would face either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt. The second leg will be played at Old Trafford next Thursday.