Ruben Amorim may have finally found his rhythm at Manchester United, and it came on a night that fans will remember for a long time. The Red Devils beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. The match, played in Spain, was a strong show of control, confidence, and team spirit.
The win gives United a big edge going into the second leg. It also boosts faith in Amorim, who had been under pressure after a rough start in the Premier League. Before this match, he had won only six out of 23 league games. But in Europe, things are looking much better.
Early Struggles, But Veterans Step Up
At the start, Manchester United looked shaky. The Spanish crowd was loud, and the team seemed nervous. Manuel Ugarte lost the ball often. Inaki Williams nearly scored with a header, and Victor Lindelof had to clear a shot off the line after a fast attack from Alex Berenguer.
But then the experienced players took charge. Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Harry Maguire led by example. Casemiro showed the calmness and vision that made him a star at Real Madrid. He broke up attacks and set the rhythm in midfield.
Maguire, often criticized in the past, played with energy and focus. He made a strong run down the right wing and crossed perfectly for Casemiro, who scored the first goal. It was a big moment that settled the team.
Bruno Fernandes then took over. He scored a penalty to make it 2-0. The crowd tried to distract him, but he remained calm. Just before halftime, he added another goal with a cool finish after beating the defense.
Red Card Changes the Game
Bilbao went down to 10 men before United’s second goal, which gave the visitors more control. Though the hosts had the best defense in La Liga, they could not stop the wave of United attacks.
Former players praised the performance. Ex-goalkeeper Paul Robinson called it the best football he had seen under Amorim. Robbie Savage agreed, saying the red card helped but did not take away from United’s quality.
A Night to Remember for Amorim
Since joining from Sporting, Amorim’s time at Old Trafford has been a mix of ups and downs. There were strong moments — beating Manchester City, drawing with Liverpool, and knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup. But none matched this night.
Amorim called it his proudest result. “Nobody thought this would happen,” he said. He also praised his senior players for guiding the younger ones. He noted that players like Ugarte and Dorgu struggled early, but the team’s leaders helped steady the ship.
Rare First-Half Goal Surge for United
Scoring three goals in the first half of a big European match is rare for United. The last time they did that was in 2020 against Istanbul Basaksehir. The last away game where they managed it was in 2017, against CSKA Moscow.
This display was not just about goals — it was about control, teamwork, and mental strength. United managed the game well in the second half and did not let Bilbao back in.
Final Hopes and the Road Ahead
With a 3-0 lead, United now have one foot in the Europa League final. That match will be played at San Mames, the same stadium where this victory took place.
Meanwhile, Tottenham also won their semi-final first leg 3-1 against Bodo/Glimt. That sets up the chance for an all-English final.
Bruno Fernandes said after the game that the team was thrilled. “We hope our fans can come back to Bilbao. We played well. We could have scored more, but we did our job.”
Amorim Stays Grounded Despite Big Win
Amorim was happy but cautious. He told reporters the job was not done yet. “We have the advantage, but anything can happen in football,” he said.
Still, it is hard to ignore the shift in mood. Fans are hopeful again. The players look confident. And for the first time in months, United feel like a team with a plan.