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Manchester United moved to the brink of the UEFA Europa League final after a dominant 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in the first leg of the semi-final at San Mamés. In front of a raucous home support dreaming of a first continental trophy on May 21, Manchester United showcased their European pedigree, despite a turbulent domestic season.
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The game’s decisive moments all came before half-time. After Athletic had threatened early—Inaki Williams heading wide and Victor Lindelöf blocking on the line—the momentum swung in United’s favor. At 30 minutes, veteran midfielder Casemiro ghosted in unmarked at the back post to head home a precise cross, silencing the San Mamés faithful.
Barely five minutes later, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas consulted the pitch-side monitor and brandished Athletic defender Daniel Vivian a red card for denying Rasmus Højlund a clear goalscoring opportunity. From the spot, captain Bruno Fernandes kept his composure amid furious whistles, stroking the penalty low into the corner.
Moments before the interval, Fernandes struck again. Racing onto Manuel Ugarte’s clever flick, he rifled a third past the stranded goalkeeper, putting the tie all but to bed.
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Key Turning Points in Man Utd’s Europa League Performance
- Early Athletic Pressure: Athletic Club’s defense, the stingiest in LaLiga, tested United with a series of first-half openings.
- Casemiro’s Impact: His opener marked another instance of United relying on set-piece and midfield dominance in Europe.
- Decisive Red Card: Vivian’s dismissal not only conceded a penalty but left Athletic overmatched for the remainder of the match.
- Bruno’s Brilliance: Two impeccable finishes—one from 12 yards and another on the break—demonstrated why Fernandes is central to United’s continental hopes.
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United’s European Resurgence vs. Domestic Struggles
While Manchester United fumble their way toward a record-low Premier League finish, the Europa League has become a Europa lifeline. The club remains unbeaten in all European competitions this term and has:
- Scored more goals in seven Europa League fixtures in 2025 than in their 15 Premier League games to date.
- Climbed the hierarchy of European contenders despite domestic woes, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s successor guiding them to the semis.
- Benefited from the “133 rule,” where every side winning an away first leg by three or more goals in UEFA knockout history has progressed—a statistic now in United’s favor.
“Of course it’s a great start, to get a victory here and score three goals with a clean sheet,” defender Harry Maguire told TNT Sports. “One foot in the final, but it’s not done.”
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Athletic Club’s Task for the Return Leg
Athletic Bilbao, galvanized by hosting the Europa final at their own ground, must now mount an unlikely comeback in Manchester. Reduced to ten men and unable to penetrate United’s defense, they will need to rethink:
- Midfield Battle: Finding a way to contain Fernandes and Casemiro, both of whom dictated the first half.
- Defensive Organization: Preventing counter-attacks and set-piece vulnerabilities that United exploited so ruthlessly.
- Psychological Edge: Overcoming the blow of a red card and the deafening roar of Old Trafford in the return fixture.
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