Manchester United all but booked their place in the UEFA Europa League final with a dominant 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in Bilbao, leaving the Basque side’s dream of a home final in tatters.

The hosts came out firing, backed by a raucous crowd, and had their best chance in the opening quarter-hour. Iñaki Williams headed over from a Álex Berenguer cross, and seven minutes later, Victor Lindelöf made a crucial block to deny Berenguer again.

But United quickly slowed the tempo and took control. In the 30th minute, Harry Maguire joined the attack and floated a cross into the box. Manuel Ugarte nodded it on, leaving Casemiro with a simple finish at the back post to make it 1-0.

Just three minutes later, Alejandro Garnacho was pulled back by Dani Vivian as he tried to reach a low cross. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty and showed Vivian a straight red card. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and calmly slotted home the spot-kick – 2-0.

Before the break, Bruno Fernandes struck again, racing through the middle and finishing one-on-one to make it 3-0 before half-time. The damage was done.

In the second half, Manchester United controlled possession with confidence, and Athletic Club, reduced to ten men, managed just one shot on target – in added time.

The second leg at Old Trafford next week now looks like a formality. Athletic’s hopes of reaching a dream final in their home city have been virtually extinguished.

2024-25, Europa League

Athletic Bilbao - Manchester United 0:3 (0:3)
Goals: Casimiro, 30 (0:1); Fernandes B., 37 (penalty) (0:2); Fernandes B., 45 (0:3)

Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala; Yuri Berchiche; Vivian (till 36); Yeray; de Marcos (Gorosabel, 42); Ruiz I. (Prados, 46); Alboniga; Alex Berenguer (Paredes, 42); Sannadi; Inaki Williams (Djalo Alvaro, 87); Nico Williams (Etxebarria U., 79)
Bench: Simón U.; Boiro; Núñez U.; Vesga; Lekue I.; Urtasun; Guruzeta
Yellow Cards: Yuri Berchiche 36; Simón U. 58; Yeray 61
Red cards: Vivian 36'

Manchester United: Onana A.; Dorgu (Diallo, 84); Yoro; Lindelöf; Maguire (de Ligt, 65); Casimiro; Mazraoui (Shaw L., 74); Ugarte (Mount, 65); Fernandes B.; Garnacho (Mainoo, 84); Höjlund R.
Bench: Bayındır; Heaton; Amass; Fredricson T.; Eriksen C.
Yellow Cards: Mount 77; Garnacho 84; Yoro 93