Inaki Williams has warned Manchester United that Athletic Bilbao are greater than able to mounting a shocking comeback within the second leg of the perimeters’ Europa League semi-final.
United took a 3-0 lead away from Bilbao to place one foot in the ultimate of Europe’s second-tier competition, with Ruben Amorim’s men producing a dominant performance in front of a shellshocked San Mames Barria crowd.
Casemiro headed home the opening goal – after some exquisite wing-play from Harry Maguire – to interrupt the deadlock on the half-hour mark, sending United’s travelling support into raptures.
Athletic’s evening went from bad to worse as Dani Vivian was sent off for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund within the thirty fifth minute and Bruno Fernandes increased the deficit with the resulting penalty, keeping his cool to fireside beyond Julen Agirrezabala from 12 yards.
On the stroke of half-time, Fernandes added a 3rd with an equally composed finish to pile yet more misery on the house team and Amorim’s side held firm within the second period to preserve their imperious advantage.
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Athletic’s players felt Alejandro Garnacho must have been pulled up for handball within the build-up to United’s penalty, but referee Espen Eskas’ allowed play to proceed and there was no intervention from VAR.
‘We protested a handball by Garnacho. I believe the ball hit his hand… however the referee decided it was a penalty and a red card [for Vivian],’ Athletic head coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters at his post-match press conference.
Athletic winger Williams, brother of Nico, was also critical of the refereeing prior to United’s spot-kick, accusing the officials of completely missing Garnacho’s supposed handball.
‘We’re able to coming back,’ Williams said.
‘There are some plays that raise doubts. The play before the penalty comes from a handball by Garnacho, which the referee doesn’t see.
‘It’s a struggle between Vivian and him. On the slightest contact, he goes down, and it’s unlucky that he called it.
Williams conceded that Athletic were removed from their best across the 90 minutes, but stressed that the tie was from from over ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford.
‘We weren’t very sharp, there’s no must make excuses,’ he added.
‘We’re 3-0 down, but we’re able to overcoming that. We’ve already seen that Lyon gave them problems at home and we’re going to try to do the identical.
‘The work of all the season speaks for itself. We’re in the ultimate stretch of our dream. Our fans have at all times supported us and we’re going to present it our all.’
Casemiro produced an exceptional performance at the guts of United’s midfield and was singled out for praise by Rio Ferdinand for his ‘sensational’ showing.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian – a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid – was keen to indicate to his team-mates that it was only half-time within the tie.
Asked if the Red Devils had already put the tie to bed, Casemiro told Movistar+: ‘No, in fact not.
‘I give that message because it isn’t over. I do know this Athletic Bilbao team thoroughly, I do know there have great players.
‘We now have to indicate numerous respect and I ask on behalf of Manchester and everybody that we have now to have respect them as an opponent because they never surrender.’
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