Manchester United took a huge step in the direction of the Europa League final with an emphatic 3-0 win over 10-man Athletic Club in San Mames in an impressive night in front of Ruben Amorim.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes scored in a brilliant first half for the visitors, who could hardly have been in a better position in the break, three goals and a man to the good.
The hosts threatened a tense game after a strong start, but after 15 minutes United started to take control, before the red card for Dani Vivian saw them fall dramatically.
The second half saw United trying to control the match, their benefit of three goals a hugely valuable raw material to take home for the second stage of next week, especially after the drama of the victory against Lyon in the quarters.
But in the end the visitors managed to escape intact with their whole advantage in a hugely important result in the United season.
Here the Dominic Hogan of Mail you exercise through the stars that came up with the task, and those who did not impress.
Man United-3-4-2-1
Andre Onana – 6.5
Made a brilliant dive to his right from Alex Berenguer when Athletic Club threatened a fast start, but also had very little to do in the night.
Leny Yoro – 6.5 (booked)
Perhaps it might have communicated better with Patrick Dorgu to reduce the gap between the two with the wing rear that wandered too high before the man's advantage reduced the risk of exposure.
But that is nit-picking one night when he was largely unaware of an hour and showed good footwork in the second half to escape from tight spaces.
Harry Maguire – 7.5
Bizarre, an excellent winger was changed for 30 seconds into the structure of Casemiro's opener, turning and turning, heels and changing, before he placed a brilliant cross. A cool head at the back under extreme crowds before you informed yourself just after the hour.
Victor Lindelof – 6.5
Daaasted on the ball in the 17th minute to give Inaki Williams almost a gilded opportunity to open the score, but immediately reconciled with a beautiful double block of the line two minutes later.
That said, he struggled to do the basics well and remained shaky and apparently nervous.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6.5
Was largely anonymous for 45 minutes before he came in a lick of paint from United's fourth in sensational way, his first ride clattered in the bar from the edge of the box.
Casemiro – 8
Made a critical block from Inaki Williams early after the fault of Lindelof, with all the experience you won the five champions competitions before he opened the score with a goal that completely earned his performance.
A calm, composed and mature presence in a very particial San Mames, and hardly sets a foot wrong. His performance that could only be shaken by the exploits of his captain, but showed that his class on the European stage is at least permanent.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
Sometimes found himself a bit out of position in the first half and lost the ball twice unnecessary, but the flicked assist for Casemiro's first and very cute touch to help Fernandes' second of the night went a way to make it right.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
Perhaps put more emphasis on the 'wing' element of his wing back job description, but even struggled to beat the first man with crosses from the left.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7 (booked)
Typically lively and energetic in the future and was the greatest threat of United early. Although there was a flash of his finish for the excluded efforts within five minutes, he struggled to get a position to regularly threaten the goal of Athletic Club regularly.
Bruno Fernandes – 8.5
The early opener of Garnacho may have been closed off, but the delicious backheel film by Fernandes earned a goal in itself. Is one of the best in the business world from 12 meters and showed why he stared a Febre home stand before he stroked home.
Then at the time of the break he explicitly came to bring the score to 3-0 for his seventh in the Europa League this period. Of course the conductor of Ruben was Amorim's Red Orchestra.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7
Didn't get much service in the first half, but showed a lot of consciousness to get herself in a position to force a mistake by Dani Vivian to win a penalty, and would probably have had a tap-in if it hadn't been drawn. Fought and fought during the second half and bravely put his body on the line.
Subs:
Matthijs de Ligt (on 65 ') – 6.5
Mason Mount (on Ugarte on 65 ') – 6
Luke Shaw (Op For Mazraoui on 74 ') – 6.5 (booked)
Amad Diallo (ON for Dorgu on 84 ') – 6.5
Kobbie Mainoo (on Garnacho on 84 ') – 6.5
Bayindir, Amass, Eriksen, Fredricson, Heaton, Kamason, Mantato.
Manager:
Ruben Amorim – 7
With his side 3-0 against 10 men during the break, the head coach probably couldn't even believe his happiness, but he did not allow his side. He made sure that they kept the field as wide as possible as his side athletic club ran wildly.
Eventually the right call was made with his second half of tactics when United controlled the pace of the game to get the Basque Country with their 3-0 lead intact. So much pressure on Thursday evening match in the context of the season, and Amorim could not have really hoped for a better result.