Thursday 15/03/2012
Europa League
Manchester United out of the Europa League after defeat in Bilbao.
After going down to a 3-2 defeat at home to the hands of Athletic in the in the first leg, United had to score at least two if they were to qualify for the last Eight of the Europa League. The red devils had been overwhelmed in the first leg and opted for a more experienced team for this clash in Bilbao. Wayne Rooney was selected as a lone front man to be flanked by Ashley Young and Park ji Sung. The flourishing centre back partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans were set the task of keeping out Athletic's dangerous front line of Fernando Llorente, Iker Muniain and Oscar De Marcos.
There was an electric atmosphere inside San Mamés Stadium, and from the offset Athletic looked sharper and hungrier than the visitors. United were unable to get out of there own half as they again struggled with the hosts high tempo pressing game. After nine minutes of non stop Athletic pressure United carved their first chance of the match, as Tom Cleverley played in Ashley Young who saw his left footed effort blocked at the last minute by Gorka Iraizoz.
However the chances for the reds were few and far between as Athletic looked like running away with it as Muniain hit the post after some fine build up play from the hosts. De Marcos missed a tap in from the rebound to let United off the hook.
However it was only a matter of time before the impressive Athletic took the lead, as after 23 minute Llorente thundered home an immaculate volley following a pin point 40 yard pass from Ander Iturraspe. Bilbao were well and truly in the driving seat leading 4-2 on aggregate with United now needing at least three goals with just over an hour remaining.
The goal gave United a wake up call and for the following ten minutes the visitors rallied, almost snatching an equaliser through a Ryan Giggs header, which was blocked just in front of goal. Moments later United should have had a penalty when Tom Cleverley was nicked on the shin just inside the area. Referee Cüneyt Cakir waved play on to the disbelief of the England midfielder.
Athletic took their goal advantage into the break knowing it was theirs to lose, holding a massive advantage over a Manchester United side who were struggling to impose themselves on the game.
The unrelenting attacking machine of Athletic didn't take long to get going in the second half as right back Andoni Iraola jinked through the United defence with ease before poking his shot just wide of David De Gea's goal as the reds were just holding on.
United just couldn't get a foothold in the game and just after the hour mark Marcelo Bielsa's side had their second of the night as De Marcos' shot from the edge of the area was deflected past De Gea to put the Spanish side 5-2 up on aggregate.
United were simply being outclassed, knowing the tie was lost Sir Alex Ferguson made the unusual decision of pulling off key players. Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs were all subbed as the weekend fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers seemingly taking priority. Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba were the replacements, seeing out the last 20 minutes. The promising Pogba made a decent account of himself in trying circumstances, seeing a powerful 20 yard drive saved for a corner as the reds tried to salvage some pride from a torrid evening.
Ten minutes from time they did just that as Wayne Rooney scored a fantastic 20 yard effort, curling his shot perfectly into the top corner of Iraizoz's goal. But this was nothing but a consolation as United had been undone by a fantastic footballing side.
United can now focus all their energy on retaining the Premier League title with ten games to go, leading the chasing Manchester City by a single point.
