Match Report Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Manchester United (5 - 3 agg.)

Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Manchester United (5 - 3 agg.)

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.

Match Report: Manchester United 2 -3 Athletic Bilbao

Manchester United 2 -3 Athletic Bilbao

Europa League

08/03/2012

United's indifferent European form continues as they leave it all to do after home defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

Manchester United were looking for an improvement on their last Europa League game where they went down 2-1 at home to Ajax. Sir Alex Ferguson picked an experimental side as the likes of Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Nani made way for Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Park Ji Sung.

However with Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Ryan Giggs in the starting line up, the manager will have been confident to get a result against the Spanish outfit. Athletic started the game on the front foot, keeping possession well and cutting through United's defence with relative ease. The centre back pairing of Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling as well as David De Gea had their work cut out to keep the score level in the early stages.

After withstanding 20 minutes of Athletic pressure United managed to take the lead. On a rare counter attack Chicharito carried the ball into the area, feinted onto his left foot and fired a low strike towards goal. Gorka Iraizoz only managed to parry the shot which Wayne Rooney hammered home from close range.

United had the lead but Athletic instantly resumed their dominance. Merkel Susaeta had a great opportunity to level things up as he got in behind the United defence, he opted for an audacious chip from 25 yards which beat De Gea, but also beat the post bouncing narrowly wide.

This was a big let off for the home side who couldn't contain Athletic. Moments later De Gea was forced into a smart low stop as the visitors were getting closer and closer. Just as it seemed United were going to hold on 'till half time Fernando Llorente esacped his marker, Phil Jones and headed home a fine Susaeta cross. It was the least Bilbao had deserved as they had been by far the better team.

If United had been told to enforce a stronger position in the game in the second half then it didn't work as Athletic instantly fell back into their rhythm. Four minutes in David De Gea saved United again turning a Muniain drive around the post. There was only one team that looked like winning the game and for once into wasn't the Old Trafford side. on the 52nd minute De Gea pulled off yet another save, repelling a Llorente shot that was destined for the top corner.

After 70 minutes Athletic did grab the lead as Oscar De Marcos got in behind the United defence again placing a low shot past De Gea. Replays showed the Bilbao man was off side, but it was the least the visitors deserved.

Just as it seemed the game was going to fizzle out, De Marcos zipped a shot across the face of goal which De Gea parried back into play. United defender Rafael should have been able to clear the loose ball but a lack of concentration meant Muniain got to the ball first smashing the ball into the roof of the net to strike United with a sickening blow. With United 3-1 down at home it looked like the tie was as good as over.

With seconds of stoppage time remaining United had a life line as De Marcos handled in the area to give United a penalty. Rooney despatched confidently to slightly reduce United's blushes. A disappointing result and performance from the reds as they have to win by two clear in next weeks return fixture if they are to progress.

Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 2 Ajax AFC (agg. 3 -2)

Manchester United 1 - 2 Ajax AFC (agg. 3 - 2)

Thursday 23/02/2012

Europa League

United through to the last 16 of the Europa League despite stumbling at home.

After an impressive 2 - 0 win away in Amsterdam in the first leg, United just had to avoid defeat by two or more goals to secure progression to the next round. Wayne Rooney was left out of the match day squad due to a throat infection picked up shortly after the first leg. This meant Dimitar Berbatov and Chicharito began the game up front. Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a very youthful side with six of named eleven aged 22 or younger.

United began the game in style as they took the lead after five minutes. Berbatov set up his strike partner Chicharito excellently, as the young Mexican took his chance confidently,placing his shot past Kenneth Vermeer. It was a fine start from the home side, putting them 3 - 0 on aggregate.

Ten minutes later United were almost out of sight as Chicharito tried to repay the favour by setting up Berbatov but before the Bulgarian striker could slide the ball home, the cross was cut out by Jan Vertonghen at the last minute.

As the half wore on the home side became a little complacent and Ajax began to take hold of the game. David De Gea saved well from a Aras Özbiliz shot before the Armenian pulled the Dutch side level on the night with a 20 yard strike just before half time.

After an explosive start United had been pegged back by an Ajax side that was gaining in confidence. The Eredivisie side had given themselves a lifeline giving them hope for the second half.

The second half continued much as the first ended with Ajax frustrating United as they looked for the two goals they needed to give themselves a chance of turning the tie around. David De Gea was forced into a excellent save just before the hour denying a Siem De Jong header from close range.

Just as it seemed the game was fizzling out to a draw, Toby Alderweireld powered home a header from close range to give Ajax the lead. Now only needing one goal to pull off an unlikely turn around. However a shaky United held on to go through three goals to two on aggregate.

A combination of inexperience and complacency almost cost United a place in European competition for the second time this season, after they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage. The reds progress to face Athletic Bilbao in the last 16.

Match Report : AFC Ajax 0 - 2 Manchester United

AFC Ajax 0 - 2 Manchester United

Thursday 16/02/2012

Europa League

Manchester United take control of the tie with a professional performance in Amsterdam.


Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley were brought back into the side after lengthy lay offs with injury as United embarked on their first European tie since being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages against Basel. Chicharito was chosen ahead of Danny Welbeck to partner Wayne Rooney up front as United fielded a strong team.

United were facing an Ajax team that also fell out of the Champions League at the group stage and were fired up for the match at the Amsterdam Arena. However It was a lacklustre start from both sides and despite United controlling the play in the middle of the park, they were incredibly wasteful with possession going forward.

The home side struggled to get a foothold in the game as United slowly began to look more threatening, Nani wasted a golden opportunity, blazing over when a simple pass to Rooney would have left the England forward with a tap in. Ajax created the best chance of the half as David De Gea pulled off a stunning save to deny a 30 yard effort from Siem De Jong.

On the stroke of half time Ajax had a penalty shout as Rio Ferdinand clashed with Miralem Sulejmani on the edge of the area, despite the appeals from the Ajax players, the referee, Gianluca Rocchi, waved play on as the sides were level going into the break.

It had been a tentative half with neither sides able to control the game. This was all about the change as United came out for the second half a different side, bossing proceedings from the off. Their passing was sharper and more fluid as the visitors were soon encamped around the Ajax penalty area in search of the opener. And after Nani had come close and Chicharito had had a penalty appeal turned down, it was Ashley Young who opened the scoring latching onto a deflected Nani cross.

It was not less than United deserved, as they continued too boss the half with Ajax now chasing the game. However the home side rarely troubled De Gea as the defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans reduced them the speculative efforts from range.

United wrapped up the tie late on as some fine interplay between Antonio Valencia, Rooney and Chicharito saw the Mexican striker squeeze his shot past Kenneth Vermeer to given United a comfortable lead going into the second leg.