Manchester United Outclassed in Europa League

Published: 8^th Mar 12 4:37 pm

by Alan Dymock
Alan Dymock

RANT It!

Manchester United Outclassed in Europa League

Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE

Tonight the Europa League bore witness to, arguably, the best game of European soccer this season.

After 90minutes Manchester United were facing up to the fact that they lost at home to Athletic Bilbao, 3-2. Goalkeeper David De Gea had played fantastically, pulling off a series of impressively athletic saves, but he still had to pull the ball out of his net three times.

Led by Spanish national striker Fernando Llorente the side from the Basque region played with real verve and enthusiasm. Flanked by dynamic and diminutive young attacker Iker Muniain the burly Llorente bossed Manchester United’s defense.

Wayne Rooney scored the first goal against the run of play, but after that Athletic, in their gaudy green away shirt, dictated the tempo. It was in the 44th minute that Llorente powered home a header and from then on United looked shaky.

De Gea was called into action time and time again. However, there was nothing he could do in the second half when De Marcos sprung the offside trap to slide a sublime finish into the corner at his blind side.

If unfolding events made United boss Sir Alex Ferguson angry then he was rendered livid with the third Bilbao goal.

With the Red Devils trying to force themselves into action everyone hurried to get the ball. Rooney and Evra came to collect the same pass and Evra’s boot came off. As he received the ball a second time and passed it short the referee blew the whistle because he was bootless (which is against the rules, incidentally). Athletic Bilbao pounced, working the ball forward and as De Gea parried a stinging shot to the path of an onrushing Muniain everyone held their breath. Wing-back Rafael lazily watched the ball as the Spaniard sprinted in and the Brazilian could only look on in horror as Munian hammered the ball home.

Rooney scored his second, a late penalty after a hand-ball, to give the home side hope, but United could not equalize in the time left.

They now face a second leg in Bilbao’s fortress-like home ground, San Mamés. Few get a result in the Basque region. Man United have to.

“We’re well beaten” Sir Alex said after the game. “They were the better team. Our defending really wasn’t very good tonight.

“We can win the game [the second leg]. We showed tonight that we can attack them.”

59,265 shocked souls watched United get thoroughly outplayed at Old Trafford. Ferguson reckons his team can win the tie if they defend better and Rio Ferdinand is fit. After this impressive display from the La Liga outfit it looks like they will need a lot more than that…