Athletic Club 0–3 Manchester United Player Ratings: Bruno and Casemiro Stun San Mames into Silence with a Comfortable Victory

Manchester United put one foot into the door of the Europa League Finals after a rather comfortable and convincing 3-0 victory over Athletic Club here at San Mames in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Bilbao were fired up for the occasion and started the game like they meant business. Manchester United were caught unawares with the unbridled energy and intense press of the hosts. Yet despite the early pressure, it was Man United who took the lead. Or so they thought.

In the 4th minute, Garnacho raced through a beautiful pass by Ugarte and thought that he had put his side 1-0 up, but the flag was raised for offside. That jolt was enough to keep Bilbao alert to the danger that their visitors posed on the break. From there on, it was all Bilbao as they rode on the raucous home support to launch wave after wave of attack.

Berenguer started proceedings with a rasping shot from range that was well saved by Onana. Shortly after, Iñaki Williams could and should have put his side 1-0 up, but his unmarked header went agonisingly over the bar. United were not doing themselves any favors with their propensity to launch immediate counters after gaining possession. All they did instead was give the ball back almost instantly. It was only profligacy from Nico Williams on two occasions that spared their blushes.

Another Brenguer shot on the 19th minute was goalbound if not for Lindelof’s heroic block. However, the early intensity that Bilbao had faded away, and they looked a bit jaded and tired in their pressing and movement.

To their credit, United took the punches and then landed one of their own. This time, there was no offside flag as the visitors took the lead. Harry Maguire went on a slaloming run on the right flank before putting an absolute pearl of a cross in the box. Ugarte rose first, and his header found Casemiro, who made no mistake from 4 yards out.

The game then descended into utter pandemonium as VAR took centre stage. It deemed Dani Vivian’s foul a penalty and a red card as the hosts went down to 10 men. Bruno Fernandes dispatched the penalty with typical nonchalance to give the visitors a deserved 2-0 lead.

If that was not enough, a sweeping move right at the end of the first half saw Bruno finish a beautiful team move with a thumping finish to give his side a 3-0 lead going into half-time.

The second half of the game was a rather predictable affair with Bilbao protecting the scoreline from further damage while United were content to try and test the home side as and when the opportunity presented itself. Amad and De Ligt made returns from injury as United strolled to victory on the back of a professional performance.

Here are the Athletic Club vs Manchester United Player Ratings.

Athletic Club Player Ratings

GK- Julen Agirrezabala- 4/10

Had absolutely nothing to do for the first 30 minutes and then went on to concede 3 in the next 15, which he could do nothing about.

RB- Óscar de Marcos- 4.5/10

Was given a good run around by Dorgu as he could not match the young Dane for pace.

RCB- Daniel Vivian- 3/10

Could have done better to prevent the opening goal. However, he got himself an early bath after a rather cynical tug of the shirt on Højlund that got him sent off.

LCB- Yeray Álvarez- 4/10

Had an equally poor game in the heart of defence as he was a major part of United scoring their third goal. Was booked at the hour mark for a cynical foul.

LB- Yuri Berchiche- 4/10

Got rinsed by Garnacho a couple of occasions in the first half. Was booked for unnecessary dissent in the first half.

CDM- Mikel Jauregizar- 4.5/10

Got pulverised in the build-up to the first goal by Maguire of all people. Lost the ball 9 times as he just could not deal with the United midfield.

CDM- Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta- 4.5/10

He was constantly getting overrun in midfield as he struggled after the early dominance. Was subbed before half-time.

RW- Iñaki Williams- 4.5/10

Had a golden chance to give his side the lead very early in the first half, but his header went above the bar. Became an absolute non-factor after the red card.

CAM- Álex Berenguer- 6/10

Had two shots that were well-saved and blocked. Should have had an assist in the first half if not for Iñaki fluffing his lines. Arguably his side’s most lively player.

LW- Nico Williams- 5/10

The usually electric younger Williams brother had a rather subdued game tonight. Did not get involved much and was constantly shackled by Mazraoui throughout.

ST- Maroan Sannadi- 4.5/10

Tried gamely but just did not get the ball enough to have any tangible effect on the game. Was peripheral at best after the red card.

Sub- Andoni Gorosabel- 4.5/10

Did as much as he could from his end, but the damage was already done by then.

Sub- Aitor Paredes- 4.5/10

Decent enough with the ball. But not enough to make a difference

Sub- Beñat Prados- 4/10

Not much to write about. I was just there as Bilbao withstood attack after attack.

Sub- Unai Gómez- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Sub- Alvaro Djalo- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Manager- Ernesto Valverde- 4/10

His side were just not able to get to grips after the initial adrenaline ran out. The red card did not help matters, but Valverde will be concerned with the poor nature of the performance that sees them needing a miracle in the second leg next week.

Manchester United Player Ratings

GK- Andre Onana- 6/10

Made a good, sharp save early in the first half, and more importantly, did not lose focus in the game. He was a complete passenger in the second half with nothing to do.

RCB- Leny Yoro- 6.5/10

The young Frenchman is growing in stature with every game, and this game showed why. Used his physical grit and recovery speed to great effect in shutting down attacks at the source.

CB- Harry Maguire- 7/10

What a completely different player Harry Maguire has become. He was a rock in defense, and the highlight of his game was a mesmerising run on the right flank in build-up to the opening goal.

LCB- Victor Lindelöf- 6/10

He was shaky at the start, but a goal-saving block settled his jangling nerves as he grew into the game. He was confident and assured after that.

RWB- Noussair Mazraoui- 7/10

The Moroccan once again showed the underlying importance of his positional intelligence in abundance. Did an absolute number on Nico Williams as he defended him superbly. Had a thunderous shot smash into the crossbar.

RCM- Casemiro- 8/10

Something about the Spanish opposition that brings the best out of the Brazilian. He was everywhere on the defensive side of the game with his tackling. Scored an unerring header to open the floodgates for his side.

LCM- Manuel Ugarte- 6.5/10

Classic game of two halves for the Uruguayan. He was all over the place in the early exchanges as he gave the ball away in dangerous areas time and time again. But then improved as he compensated for those mistakes with two assists. Was substituted midway through the second half.

LWB- Patrick Dorgu- 6/10

He was a rung below his fellow defenders in terms of performance. Has a lot to work on, as tonight’s display so clearly showed.

RF- Alejandro Garnacho- 6/10

A well-taken finish which was flagged offside. One of those games where he was a willing runner, but frustrating in equal measure. He was a key part of the build-up that led to the penalty for the second goal.

ST- Rasmus Højlund- 6.5/10

While he did not score, he was a key part in 2 out of the 3 goals that were scored. Won the penalty for the second goal and a lovely pass to start the move for the third.

LF- Bruno Fernandes- 9.5/10

Once again, the best player on the pitch by a country mile, and unsurprisingly so. A nerveless penalty and a sumptuous finish along with his countless line-breaking passes as he put Bilbao to the sword time and time again.

Sub- Matthijs de Ligt- 5/10

Was called on to add defensive cover. Did his job.

Sub- Mason Mount- 5/10

Was called on to add defensive cover. Did his job.. Booked.

Sub- Luke Shaw- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Sub- Amad- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Sub- Kobbie Mainoo- N/A

Late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Manager- Ruben Amorim- 8/10

A near-perfect game as his side has put one foot in the Finals. Set his team up to wear the early storm and then take advantage of tired minds. Rotated players on time en route to a convincing victory.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Bruno Fernandes.