Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Manchester United: Red Devils on brink of Europa League final

Manchester United are halfway through to a Europa League final showdown with (presumably) Tottenham Hotspur after an unexpected 3-0 victory away to 10-man Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the semifinals on Thursday.

MORE - Europa League semifinal schedule & results

The Red Devils were yet to attempt a shot until the half-hour mark, when they took the lead. Their first shot of the game actually turned out to be an assist, as Manuel Ugarte’s header from a corner kick went wide of goal but found Casemiro lingering at the back post to clean it up from two yards out.

Athletic Bilbao were reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute when defender Daniel Vivian dragged Rasmus Hojlund, who was set to score a tap-in, down in the box and Bruno Fernandes made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. Fernandes bagged Man United’s third goal right before halftime as well, as he made a diagonal run in behind Bilbao’s defense and Ugarte somehow slipped it through. Fernandes raced toward the penalty spot and put it in the same spot as his penalty kick.

Tottenham Hotspur hold a 3-1 advantage in the other semifinal after they beat Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt at home. The final will be played back in Bilbao, at Estadio de San Mames, on May 21.

How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 3pm ET Thursday (May 1)
Venue: San Mames — Bilbao
TV/Streaming: Paramount+

Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United live updates - by Andy Edwards

Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United final score: 0-3

Goalscorers: Casemiro (30'), Bruno Fernandes (37' - PK, 45')

GOAL! Bilbao 0-3 Man United: Bruno gets in behind and bags his second of the night (45')

GOAL! Bilbao 0-2 Man United: Bruno converts from the spot (37')

PENALTY AND RED! Vivian drags down Hojlund, gives the penalty and is sent off (36')

GOAL! Bilbao 0-1 Man United: Casemiro heads home at the back post (30')

OFFSIDE! Garnacho scores but the flag goes up (5')

A well worked move and chance by United, who thought they had scored with their first shot of the game, but Alejandro Garnacho was pretty clearly offside. Close, but off.

Athletic Bilbao starting lineup

Agirrezabala - de Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche - de Galarreta, Jauregizar, Berenguer - I. Williams, N. Williams, Sannadi

Manchester United starting lineup

Onana - Yoro, Maguire, Lindelof - Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu - Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund

Ernesto Valverde’s Bilbao are pushing for Champions League qualification in La Liga and have the carrot dangling in front of them that if they win this semifinal they will play in the Europa League final at their home stadium, the wonderful San Mames. Nico Williams is their main threat up top and Bilbao are a tough team to break down (they’ve conceded just 26 goals in La Liga this season), keep the ball well and are so efficient. In the end they eased past Rangers in the quarterfinals and look determined to reach the final at their home ground. This will be some occasion for the city of Bilbao.

Manchester United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table but it has been all about the Europa League for some time now for Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils have shown some backbone in recent weeks as they completed one of the greatest comebacks in European history in the quarterfinal second leg against Lyon. They trailed 4-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate with minutes to go in extra time but somehow scored three times to win 5-4 and kept their season alive. Everything hinges on winning the Europa League for United and it’s massive for Amorim’s future at the club. No pressure, Ruben...

Athletic Bilbao team news, focus

Bilbao have warmed up for this semifinal well as they beat Las Palmas 1-0 last Wednesday and have had a whole week off. But there are concerns over top goalscorer Oihan Sancet who suffered a hamstring injury in that game. Nico Williams is obviously the main threat for Bilbao, while his brother Inaki Williams may play a key role if Sancet is out injured.

QUESTIONABLE: Oihan Sancet (hamstring)

Manchester United team news, focus

Both Amad Diallo and Matthijs De Ligt are back in the squad and Amorim has confirmed they are likely to both be on the bench in Bilbao. That is a huge bonus with Diallo so key before his injury in February. Bruno Fernandes continues to drive the team from midfield, while Rasmus Hojlund scoring a late equalizer at Bournemouth at the weekend should give him some confidence. Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are getting back to their best, while in defense Harry Maguire is trying to hold things together but United do look suspect at the back and Andre Onana’s recent displays have been questionable. Luke Shaw could start at left wing-back with Patrick Dorgu switching over to right wing-back to replace the injured Dalot, which would mean Noussair Mazraoui switching to center back. If not, Shaw will continue as the left-sided center back and Mazraoui will line up as the right wing-back.

OUT: Joshua Zirkzee (thigh - MORE), Ayden Heaven (leg - MORE), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Toby Collyer (leg), Diogo Dalot (calf)

Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United prediction

This feels like Bilbao will grab a narrow win and both teams will be happy enough with that. Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Manchester United.