Fergie’s United fall short of De Marcos
MANCHESTER UNITED failed to heed Sir Alex Ferguson’s wake- up call last night and endured another European nightmare at Old Trafford.
They were given a footballing lesson by Athletic Bilbao who came from behind to take a deserved win back to Basque country for next Thursday’s Europa League last- 16 second leg.
And only a string of outstanding saves by United goalkeeper David de Gea prevented Bilbao from winning by a bigger margin.
Wayne Rooney gave United an undeserved lead but Fernando Llorente equalised before half- time. The only surprise was that it took Bilbao until the 72nd minute to score the second – with Oscar de Marcos sliding in a shot after a lofted pass by Ander Herrera. A controversial late third piled on the misery for United, before Rooney’s late penalty.
Old Trafford’s reputation as a fortress has been shattered this season, with Bilbao’s victory following one by Ajax a fortnight earlier. And in their Champions League group United were held by Basle and Benfi ca.
A sign of the times and a refl ection of what the public think of the Europa League was that Old Trafford was nowhere near its 75,000 capacity, despite Bilbao bringing 7,200 fans.
The game had to be good to live up to the fi rst meeting between the clubs in United’s fi rst season in Europe in 1957, when Sir Matt Busby’s side were beaten 5- 3 in a quarter- fi nal fi rst leg in Bilbao. They won the return leg 3- 0 at Manchester City’s Maine Road.
But modern day Bilbao – fi fth in La Liga and through to the Copa Del Rey fi nal – made it clear they had not come to sit and contain .
Llorente underlined that he is far more than just a target man with some nifty footwork on the edge of the United penalty area after only four minutes. He spun past Rafael and Jonny Evans before sending his shot just wide of the post.
Iker Muniain underlined Bilbao’s early confi dence by attempting to chip De Gea from 25 yards. Muniain was then only inches away from controlling Ander Iturra spe’s long pass, having got goal side of Rafael. Ryan Giggs had an early effort blocked by Mikel San Jose, Rooney sent a shot embarrassingly high over the bar and Javier Hernandez sent a tame shot straight at goalkeeper Gorka Ira izoz .
United had a let off when Chris Smalling pulled Llorente’s shirt and the striker went down in the area. But with Bilbao appealing for a penalty, referee Florian Meyer awarded a free- kick to United.
After another scare when Markel Susaeta sent a good chance straight at De Gea, United realised they had a serious fi ght on their hands and took the lead against the run of play after 22 minutes.
Giggs twice exchanged passes with Hernandez, who sidestepped Javi Martinez to fi re in a shot that goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz pushed straight into the path of Rooney, who was left with a simple tap- in.
But Bilbao continued to threaten every time they went forward. Llorente sent a header just over the bar , Susaeta then missed the best chance of the half when he was put clean through by Iturra spe’s brilliant pass, but his attempted lob over the advancing De Gea drifted t wo yards wide. De Gea then made a smart save to smuggle Andoni Iraola’s shot round his near post. T hey deservedly drew level a minute before the break, when Llorente beat Rafael to head home Susaeta’s cross . Bilbao continued to dominate and De Gea had to make three brilliant saves to prevent them from taking the lead.
De Marcos added the second after 72 minutes following a superb lofted pass by Herrera. And then Muniain scored a third after De Gea parried a long- range shot from De Marcos. United were furious as the goal came after referee Meyer awarded Bilbao a free- kick after Evra’s boot came off.
But Rooney gave United a glimmer of hope when he converted a penalty following a handball from De Marcos in injury- time.