'What a winger!' - Bruno Fernandes praises Harry Maguire after Manchester United win he could 'never predict' in Bilbao

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Bruno Fernandes praised a "more confident" Harry Maguire after Manchester United stunned Athletic Club in their UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg. The Red Devils captain says he could "never predict" the scoreline, which puts them in a strong position to reach the final. The prospect of an all-English final is becoming more likely with Tottenham Hotspur also winning.

Fernandes could 'never predict' 3-0 United win at 'crazy' San Mames

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bruno Fernandes has said he could "never predict" that Manchester United would be in such a commanding position after the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final.

He captained the side to a surprising 3–0 victory over Athletic Club, scoring twice in Bilbao to shock the home fans inside an atmospheric San Mames Stadium.

Casemiro opened the scoring for United after half an hour, before Athletic defender Daniel Vivian was shown a red card for pulling down Rasmus Hojlund in the penalty box - a real turning point in the match.

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Fernandes calmly tucked away the penalty, before adding another on the stroke of half-time to make it 3–0.

"You can never predict a scoreline like that," Fernandes told TNT Sports.

"Obviously [they are] a very tough team, the atmosphere was unbelievable, crazy.

Highlights: Fernandes and Man Utd silence San Mames with three-goal first half blitz

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I knew they were very passionate (as a) club, but never thought it was like this. I love these atmospheres, I love to play in these kinds of stadiums.

"The result for us is unbelievable. We could, in the first half, get that result and then in the second half, control the game.

"I think we should have pushed a little bit more in the second half, but we controlled the game and that is good."

After his late heroics in the quarter-final against Lyon, United’s Harry Maguire is again being praised for his impact in the match.

The defender was being compared to Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal after twisting and turning on the right wing to create the opening goal.

Amorim: 'Nobody expected' Man Utd's big first-leg win in Bilbao

Video credit: SNTV

"I said straight away, what a winger!" Fernandes said.

"I don’t think even he thought he had that in his locker. No one was expecting that, I don’t think the opposition was expecting that to come.

"Harry is a much more confident man now, things are coming through. He’s also getting goals, he’s defending very well, his positioning is becoming more and more strong, he’s a very good leader.

"It’s a good thing for him and we hope he just keeps improving because at this club you need to keep improving all the time, you can’t just stop."

The prospect of an all-English final is becoming more likely, with Tottenham Hotspur also in a strong position from their 3–1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the other semi-final.

Highlights: Early goals help Spurs to crucial first-leg victory over Bodo/Glimt

Video credit: TNT Sports

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has warned their tie is not over yet though, saying "anything can happen in one game".

His side face a trip to Brentford in the Premier League this Sunday, four days before the deciding second leg against Athletic Club at Old Trafford which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Should they see out the tie, United will return to Bilbao for the final at San Mames Stadium on Wednesday 21 May.

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