Manchester United Thrash Athletic Club 3-0 in Europa League Semi-Final First Leg”

Manchester United secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final at San Mamés Stadium on May 1, 2025. This result places United in a strong position ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.​

⚽ Match Summary: Athletic Club 0–3 Manchester United

Goals:

• 30′: Casemiro opened the scoring for United, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Athletic Bilbao.

• 37′: Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Rasmus Højlund was fouled in the box. The incident also resulted in a red card for Bilbao’s Dani Vivian.

• 45′: Fernandes added his second goal just before halftime, giving United a 3-0 advantage going into the break.​

Despite Athletic Bilbao’s early pressure and a significant chance missed by Iñaki Williams, Manchester United’s clinical finishing and solid defense secured a substantial lead heading into the second leg. ​

🔍 Key Moments & Controversy

The match’s turning point occurred in the 37th minute when Rasmus Højlund was brought down by Dani Vivian inside the penalty area. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty and issued a red card to Vivian for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty, extending United’s lead to 2-0. ​

📅 Upcoming Fixtures for Manchester United

• Sunday, May 4: Premier League match against Brentford (Kick-off: 2:00 PM BST)

• Thursday, May 8: Europa League Semi-Final Second Leg vs. Athletic Club at Old Trafford (Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST)

• Sunday, May 11: Premier League match against West Ham United (Kick-off: 2:15 PM BST)​

This victory provides Manchester United with a significant advantage as they look to secure a place in the Europa League final. The team’s focus now shifts to maintaining their form in both domestic and European competitions