Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim praised the leadership and performance of senior players like Harry Maguire after a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
The victory comes as a welcome relief for United, who have endured a miserable Premier League campaign and sit 14th in the table. However, at San Mames, the Red Devils showed composure and experience, with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice and Maguire playing a key role in the opener. The defender drove forward confidently and set up Casemiro to break the deadlock in the 30th minute.
Speaking after the match, Amorim highlighted the importance of seasoned players stepping up during high-pressure games. “They are experienced, international players. That’s why they are here — to deliver in moments like this,” he said. “It’s natural for them.”
Maguire has emerged as a key figure in United’s European run, scoring a crucial goal in the quarter-final comeback against Lyon. His strong performances in the Europa League have helped silence critics after a difficult spell at the club.
Amorim noted that Maguire’s resurgence is a reminder of how quickly things can change in football. “Sometimes you feel like you’ll never recover from setbacks, but the game always gives you another chance. That’s not just true for Harry — it applies to everyone,” he said.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Amorim urged his squad to stay focused ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford. “They need to remember how tough the first 20 minutes were. That’s the mindset we need — nothing is over yet,” he warned.
Bilbao started brightly but couldn’t make their early dominance count. Casemiro’s goal shifted the momentum, and the hosts suffered another blow when Daniel Vivian received a red card after a foul on Rasmus Hojlund. Fernandes calmly converted the resulting penalty, later adding his second to seal the result.
Reflecting on the night, Amorim called it the most impressive win under his leadership. “Nobody expected this result. But you could say there were two very different games in one tonight.”
