\n
![\"close\"\/](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\"){kind=icon}
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Manchester United defeated 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in their UEFA Europa League semi-final first-leg tie at San Mames on Thursday evening (May 1). Casemiro\u2019s opener was added to by a Bruno Fernandes brace while Daniel Vivian received a red card in the first half for the La Liga outfit.<\/p>\n
The home side began the game in the ascendancy, hitting their stride right from the first whistle. The Spaniards came close to opening the scoring on more than one occasion but failed to apply the finishing touches to a few presentable opportunities.<\/p>\n
Their profligacy in front of goal would come back to bite them on the half-hour mark as Manchester United took the lead against the run of play. Harry Maguire\u2019s cross from the right wing was flicked on by Manuel Ugarte and met by Casemiro at the back post, who nodded United into the lead.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n It went from bad to worse for Athletic Club just a few minutes later as Vivian brought down Rasmus Hojlund in the box. The referee awarded Manchester United a penalty after consultation with VAR and gave Vivian his marching orders for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Fernandes dispatched the penalty into the bottom right corner with customary coolness, doubling his side\u2019s lead in the 37th minute.<\/p>\n The visitors were not done quite yet, adding a third right on the stroke of half-time. Ugarte claimed his second assist of the night as his delicate flick sent Fernandes clean through on goal, and the Manchester United skipper found the bottom corner with another composed finish.<\/p>\n For all the drama of the first half, the second was a much more subdued affair. Manchester United retained the majority of the possession without being put under much pressure by their Spanish opponents and could have extended their advantage.<\/p>\n The rest of the game was played without much incident, with Ruben Amorim\u2019s men taking an invaluable three-goal advantage back to Manchester ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n On that note, here are the Manchester United<\/a> player ratings from an exciting UEFA Europa League<\/a> semi-final first leg.<\/p>\n Onana made a crucial save early on with his side under intense pressure and did not let concentration levels drop even as the job became easier. His assured gathering of a late Athletic Club<\/a> free-kick saw him notch another clean sheet.<\/p>\n Lindelof was excellent on the ball, completing the most passes (97) in the game. The Swede was always looking to get Manchester United moving forward with intelligent balls out from the back.<\/p>\n Maguire<\/a> made important contributions both offensively and defensively before being taken off in the second half. The centre-back showed quick feet on the right wing in the build-up for the first goal and was solid at the back as well.<\/p>\n Yoro put in an assured defensive performance, making five recoveries and three clearances and dealing well with the pace and power of Inaki Williams. The Frenchman picked up a late yellow card for a foul in his own half.<\/p>\n Mazraoui linked up well with Lindelof to negate the substantial threat of Nico Williams on Athletic\u2019s left wing. The Moroccan made the most tackles (4) in the game before being taken off. He also came close to scoring in the first half with a powerful shot that cannoned back off the crossbar.<\/p>\n While Ugarte struggled initially to cope with Athletic\u2019s physicality in midfield, he grew into the game and made a major impact. The Uruguayan set up two goals in addition to making six recoveries before being taken off midway through the second half.<\/p>\nManchester United player ratings:<\/h2>\n
Andre Onana: 6\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Victor Lindelof: 7\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Harry Maguire: 8\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Leny Yoro: 6\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Noussair Mazraoui: 7\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Manuel Ugarte: 8\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Casemiro: 8\/10<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Casemiro](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/94221-17461352424934-1920.jpg\"\/)
![\"Casemiro](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/94221-17461352424934-1920.jpg?w=190)
![\"Bruno](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/ec803-17461353010388-1920.jpg\"\/)
![\"Bruno](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/ec803-17461353010388-1920.jpg?w=190)
![\"United](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/f311c-17461354481449-1920.jpg\"\/)
![\"United](\"https:\/\/statico.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2025\/05\/f311c-17461354481449-1920.jpg?w=190)