MANCHESTER United took a huge step towards reaching the Europa League final as a stunning spell in the first half against 10-man Athletic Bilbao ensured they take a big advantage into the semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.
Playing at a vociferous San Mames Stadium, the visitors could have been 2-0 down after Inaki Williams sent a header from a good position over, before Victor Lindelof blocked Alex Berenguer’s shot on the line.
But the game turned dramatically in United’s favour in the 30th minute when Harry Maguire produced some good skill on the right before his cross was flicked on for Casemiro to head in.
It got even better for the visitors seven minutes later when, after a review by the video assistant referee, they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund by Dani Vivian, who was subsequently sent off.
Bruno Fernandes then closed out the loud boos from the home fans to coolly place the spot kick into the back of the net.
And a rampant United went 3-0 up just before the break when Manuel Ugarte played a clever flick to send Fernandes through and the captain made no mistake.
Ruben Amorim’s side could have had more in the second half with Casemiro – impressive throughout – clipping the outside of the post with a header from a corner.
A fourth would have firmly put the tie beyond Bilbao and although it was not to be, a three-goal deficit is still likely to be too much for the Spanish side to overcome when they head to Old Trafford next Thursday.
With Tottenham beating Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in their semi-final first leg, an all-English Europa League final is looking likely.
This was a dream result for a United side desperate to end a campaign that has disappointed domestically with a trophy.
They are 14th in the Premier League, 21 points off the top five – the places that secure automatic qualification to the Champions League.
But their qualification for Europe’s premier club competition is now looking more and more likely through the Europa League with the comprehensive victory in Bilbao ensuring they have one foot firmly planted in the final.
The San Mames Stadium will host the showpiece finale on 21 May, making this performance by United all the more encouraging, should they get the job done in the second leg.
There is no reason to doubt they will not do just that, particularly with players like Fernandes stepping up when it matters most.
Time and again the Portugal international has dug his side out of a hole and this time it was his calmness that put United in control.
His penalty proved crucial as a miss would likely have motivated the Bilbao players and the incredibly loud home fans – but instead he rolled it confidently into the corner to leave the hosts deflated.
Another cool finish just before the break delivered another blow to the team from the Basque Country, who have it all to do in the second leg.
There is something about the Europa League that brings Fernandes alive with his seven goals the most by any United player in an edition of the competition.
Meanwhile, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (34) and Radamel Falcao (30) have scored more goals in the Europa League than Fernandes (27 – level with Romelu Lukaku).