Bilbao away, first leg, and somehow it ended 0–3
Starting 20 minutes we were a mess. Looked drunk. No shape, no control, and it felt like Athletic Club were fully ready to batter us. They came with pressure, looked sharp, and our entire team looked lost. Especially Ugarte. Every fan on the timeline was going at him and they were right. He kept misplacing passes, losing the ball, and just generally moving mad. Iñaki Williams almost scored with a header that thankfully just went over. That first 20 minutes? I genuinely thought we were going to concede 20 goals.
And then, suddenly, Harry Maguire became Lamine Yamal. No joke. First of all, I still don’t know why he was playing as a right winger up the pitch, taking Garnacho’s zone. But fair play. He ignored Garnacho’s obvious call for a pass, dribbled past his man like he was Neymar, and put in a perfect cross from the right. Ball fell to Ugarte, who headed it across goal, and Casemiro finished it with a clean header. Madness. Chaos. We’ll take it.
VAR, Penalties, and Pain for Bilbao
Things just escalated. A few minutes after the opener, Rasmus got absolutely manhandled in the box. Shoulder grab, pull back, full wrestling match. Ref gave the penalty, but then VAR decided it wasn’t enough and upgraded it to a red card for Dani Vivian. Bit harsh, maybe. But I’m not complaining. Bruno stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way, and made it 0–2. Their stadium went dead silent.
And then came the third. Ugarte again. Got the ball back after we pressed high, slipped it into Bruno’s feet, and our captain curled it perfectly into the far post. 3–0. Not even dreaming. I had to check if I was awake.
Half-Time and History
3–0 United at half-time. In Spain. Against the team that had only conceded ten goals at home all season. We dropped three on them in 45 minutes. That’s 30% of their home goals in one night. Unbelievable. And it could’ve been more.
After that, Amorim clearly told them to calm down and control it. No need to go all out. Just don’t concede. And for once, we actually listened.
Onana wasn’t really tested after those first 20 minutes. Garnacho was chaos as usual. Losing possession, making silly passes, but also winning fouls and driving us forward. When we’re 3–0 up, I don’t care if he loses the ball twenty times. He’s a threat and that’s what matters.
Backline looked decent overall. Lindelöf starting was a surprise to everyone, but again, I won’t be negative. We’re 3–0 up against the favourites for the Europa League. At least before tonight. Now it’s Spurs. They won 3–1 against Bodo.
Second Half Vibes
After the hour mark, we rotated a bit. Maguire came off for De Ligt. Mainoo got some minutes. Mount too. Amad came on and looked silky. You can just see the flair in him. Keeps the ball glued to his feet. Not saying he’s Yamal or Messi, but there’s something there. If he stays fit, I want him starting the final. Especially if we face Spurs. He can cook.
But anyway, it’s not over yet. This is United. We’ve seen us throw away bigger leads than this. Second leg is next week at Old Trafford and I’m going. Exchange Square, City Centre, you’ll find me there pre-game. I swear if we mess this up and concede three without scoring, I’ll cry.
And one more thing…
If we reach the final, we cannot lose to Spurs. Not them. Not now. This community calls them the biggest bottle jobs for a reason. Giving them their first trophy in ages would be criminal. I’m praying Bodo does something mad in the second leg and turns that tie around. Just give us anyone else.
Anyway. I’ll be back after the weekend. Another Premier League match none of us care about. Hopefully we rest the full XI and give Mantato or some academy boys a run.
Until then, what a day.
Yanited Yanited Yanited.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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