Who was Man of the Match in Bilbao?

Thursday 01 May 2025 23:38

Manchester United produced just the kind of performance we needed in Bilbao to defeat Athletic Club 3-0 in the first leg of our Europa League semi-final.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with two, got the goals on the night, all of them coming in the first half.

There were superb performances all over the pitch from the Reds. Aside from their goal-getting exploits, Casemiro drew plaudits for his dominance in midfield, while Bruno was at his chance-creating best, and may even have completed his hat-trick in the second half.

Harry Maguire, a rock at the back, turned and crossed unbelievably in the lead-up for our opener. Manuel Ugarte had to settle for two assists, but could have had three, after Alejandro Garnacho had an early strike narrowly ruled out for offside. Then there was Rasmus Hojlund, credited by Ruben Amorim post-match as having had his best performance during his time as boss.

You could not diminish the efforts of a single Red, as everyone played their part in a wonderful display.

With all that considered, how could fans possibly select just one man as the winner of our Man of the Match award? You can see what conclusion was reached by reading on below…

As it turned out, it was in fact the goalscorers who received the lions’ share of the votes cast by fans participating in our post-match poll.

Yet again, Fernandes was the man to come out on top, receiving 53 per cent of the votes in our app and on ManUtd.com.

The no.8 was at his brilliant, creative best – setting the tone for the night when his clever flick started the move that ended in Garnacho finding the net, only to be denied by the offside flag.

His quickfire double at the end of the first half was effortlessly cool – twice finishing into that right-hand corner beyond Julen Agirrezabala. He could have scored a third in the second half with a shot that flew just over and he had another saved by the Athletic goalkeeper.

Our no.8 also teed up Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro, the latter hitting the post from Fernandes’ corner-kick delivery.

On any other night, you’d feel sure that Casemiro’s display would make him a shoo-in for the award – indeed, he was selected by 32 per cent of fans casting their vote in our poll.

The Brazilian was sensational; dominant in midfield and decisive in both boxes. He crucially cut out a Nico Williams cutback when the scores remained level, and miraculously kept hold of the ball in one passage as we moved away from the defensive third, with a series of brilliant touches, culminating in Garnacho winning a free-kick.

He was perfectly placed to nod in our opener at the back post, after Ugarte had headed on Maguire’s right-wing cross, and unfortunate not to get a second after the break when his near-post header thumped off the post.

Fernandes: Pressure? I want it! Video

Fernandes: Pressure? I want it!

Bruno catches up with MUTV after putting on a Man-of-the-Match-winning performance in United’s victory at San Mames…

You could not fault the effort of a single Red out there in the Basque Country, though it was the aforementioned goalscorers, Fernandes and Casemiro, who did ultimately dominate the thoughts of fans casting their vote.

Harry Maguire was next closest in the voting, earning a seven per cent share, but honourable mentions go out to all of Ruben Amorim’s charges for their work at San Mames.

It’s more deserved recognition for Fernandes, ultimately, but we know his and the team’s attentions will already have fast turned to Brentford away on Sunday, before the all-important return leg against Athletic Club, back at Old Trafford next Thursday.