Man Utd Player Ratings: Bruno Fernandes Shines in Strong Performance Against Athletic Bilbao; Ugarte Faces Challenges
MANCHESTER UNITED is on the brink of their first European final since 2021, following a remarkable 3-0 win against Athletic Club in Bilbao.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes were instrumental in this match, skillfully bypassing one of LaLiga’s toughest defenses.
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Ruben Amorim opted for a bold lineup as United prepared to battle one of Europe’s elite defensive squads.
Bilbao had conceded only 11 goals at the Estadio de San Mamés this season, creating an electric atmosphere in the early stages of the match.
However, after a few near-misses for the home side, the momentum shifted when Casemiro scored against the run of play.
The Brazilian headed United into the lead, shortly after which Dani Vivian received a contentious red card for fouling Rasmus Hojlund in the area.
Bruno Fernandes converted the subsequent penalty and scored a second goal just before halftime, deftly placing the ball past Julen Agirrezabala.
From that point on, Bilbao adopted a defensive posture, limiting the damage to just three goals.
United, once struggling this season, now appears poised to reach the Europa League final.
Here are SunSport’s Jim Sheridan’s ratings for the Red Devils in Bilbao.
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Andre Onana – 6
Amorim selected the often-criticized goalkeeper despite his inconsistent performances against Lyon.
He began strongly, making an excellent save against Alex Berenguer.
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This save proved crucial as Bilbao struggled after losing a player.
Athletic’s manager Ernesto Valverde had to temper his attacking game plan as the goals piled up, striving to limit the scoreline.
Onana faced little action until the final minute when Alvaro Djalo sent a weak free-kick directly into his arms.
He earned a well-deserved clean sheet.
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Victor Lindelof – 6
The Swedish defender was favored over Luke Shaw in a three-man defense as Amorim relied on his experienced players for steadiness.
After a rocky start, Lindelof quickly redeemed himself with a crucial block that denied Berenguer a clear scoring opportunity.
He was positioned perfectly to clear the shot off the line when Onana was exposed.
This pivotal moment shifted the momentum, leading to two quick goals for United.
Overall, Lindelof faced limited challenges and completed his second full 90 minutes since early March.
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Harry Maguire – 7
Reports indicate that United are retaining Maguire after two seasons of attempts to offload him.
Perhaps Amorim should consider utilizing him in an attacking role permanently.
The England international made an impressive run down the right flank, outpacing his opponent before delivering a perfect cross for Casemiro’s goal.
Maguire avoided a VAR scare after halftime, as home fans clamored for a red card against him.
That would have been a harsh decision, and Amorim soon substituted him for Matthjis De Ligt, who was met with audible jeers.
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Noussair Mazraoui – 7
The Moroccan faced the demanding challenge of marking Nico Williams on the United right.
He performed admirably, keeping the Arsenal target contained until Bilbao adjusted their tactics after the red card.
Mazraoui also had a significant moment just before halftime, hitting the woodwork with a powerful attempt from the edge of the area.
He confidently controlled the right side, effectively neutralizing Williams, who had a disappointing game.
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Leny Yoro – 7
The young defender initially struggled to track Inaki Williams, leading to a missed header early on that could have changed the game’s dynamic.
He received a stern warning from Casemiro, who criticized the defense for that lapse.
Yoro avoided further mistakes and, with Bilbao retreating defensively after falling three goals behind, appeared composed as United controlled the game in the second half.
A promising talent, showcasing potential for future development.
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Patrick Dorgu – 7
The January signing operated higher up the pitch initially, getting involved in attacking plays as a left winger.
This positioning made him more vulnerable to counterattacks, with Berenguer exploiting gaps early on.
Once the home side went down to ten men, Dorgu discovered his groove, making significant runs down the flank as they held on at 3-0.
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Casemiro – 8
The most seasoned player on the pitch, the Brazilian knows how to position himself effectively.
Initially, he appeared slightly overwhelmed by Bilbao’s aggressive pressing, fueled by their passionate supporters.
However, he found the perfect moment to power in a header past Julen Agirrezabala, putting United in the lead.
He almost added a fourth in the second half, heading another attempt against the post.
He’s starting to resemble the influential player United envisioned, especially now that they’re granting him more freedom.
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Manuel Ugarte – 6
The Uruguayan had a shaky start, losing possession to Berenguer in a vulnerable area early on.
Onana came to his defense with a sharp save in that instance.
Despite these early struggles, Ugarte surprisingly finished the half with two assists—one for Casemiro with a glancing header and another for Fernandes with a clever flick.
United may need to endure Ugarte’s inconsistent performances to maximize his potential—it could be a risk worth taking.
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Bruno Fernandes – 9
The captain emphasized prior to the match that winning the Europa League wouldn’t define United’s season.
Nonetheless, the Portuguese star delivered a dazzling performance in the vibrant atmosphere of the Basque Country.
He adeptly converted a first-half penalty, leaving the goalkeeper guessing with a clever stutter step.
Just before halftime, he showcased excellent finishing ability in a one-on-one situation.
He now boasts 37 contributions across all competitions this season—an outstanding achievement in his often scrutinized position.
Fernandes is undoubtedly steering United towards an unexpected European victory—with a stellar performance.
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Alejandro Garnacho – 7
The Argentine was a persistent threat from the start, scoring brilliantly within five minutes only to have it disallowed for offside.
Most of United’s attacking endeavors in the first half-hour stemmed from the dynamic winger.
He consistently outpaced full-back Yuri Berchiche.
Garnacho could only smile as Maguire demonstrated unexpected skill shortly before the break.
However, the one downside remains his inability to contribute a goal or assist, with just two scores in his last 32 matches across all competitions.
