Sports

Europa League: Manchester United Cruise Past 10-man Athletic As Fernandes Scores Twice

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2025

Manchester United players celebrate scoring their third goal during the UEFA Europa League semi final first leg football match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Manchester United at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, on May 1, 2025. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)

Bruno Fernandes struck twice as Manchester United put one foot in the Europa League final with a clinical away performance to beat 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Thursday.

The fervent home fans were enraged when Athletic defender Daniel Vivian was sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund and Fernandes slotted home the resulting penalty, after Casemiro had opened the scoring against the run of play in the semi-final first leg.

Fernandes rolled in a third before half-time as Ruben Amorim’s side moved a step closer to the final, to be held at Athletic’s San Mames stadium.

The hosts have been dreaming of winning a first European trophy on their own soil but their hopes were demolished by United’s professional display in the north of Spain — and Athletic’s supporters argued, the refereeing.

Languishing in 14th in the Premier League, Champions League qualification for United is only possible with a Europa League triumph, as is access to the £100 million ($133 million) honeypot it entails.

Despite regularly crumbling under pressure this season, the Red Devils — who produced a stunning comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals — first survived and then thrived in a hostile environment.

With May 1 a bank holiday in Spain the streets of Bilbao were filled with red-and-white striped shirts from the morning onwards, with thousands of fans turning up at their team’s hotel to see the Athletic bus set off for the stadium.

The San Mames was rocking, with fans raising red and white cards around the stadium ahead of the game to welcome the players, all of them born or raised in the Basque country, as per the club’s century-long policy.

“This is not the theatre of dreams, this is The Cathedral of football,” it read on the back, a reference to the stadium’s nickname.

Alejandro Garnacho’s early strike gave the hosts a scare but the forward was offside.

Beyond that the early stages of the match for United were about gritting their teeth and holding off the Basque side and their raucous supporters.

– Red card rocks hosts –

Alex Berenguer forced a smart low save from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, and Inaki Williams headed narrowly over.

Victor Lindelof made a vital block to thwart Berenguer after Nico Williams fed his brother Inaki, who was given too much space on the right wing.

The hosts were ascendant and when former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring for United it came as a shock.

Just as much of a surprise was the way United created the goal, with centre-back Harry Maguire dribbling down the right flank as Mikel Jaureguizar floundered in his wake.

The defender fizzed a cross into the area which Manuel Ugarte flicked on to the back host for Casemiro to nod home from close range.

It seemed like a smash-and-grab but soon United had a second, when Vivian was penalised for pulling back Hojlund as he tried to connect with a cross.

It was a key moment. The defender was sent off to add insult to injury, as Athletic fans howled in anger.

Fernandes rolled the penalty into the bottom right corner, sending Julen Agirrezabala the wrong way.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde made a double substitution, trying to stem the bleeding, but his team shipped a third before half-time.

Ugarte’s clever backheel played Fernandes through on goal and he stroked home with ease.

Noussair Mazraoui crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box as United almost grabbed a fourth before the break.

Norwegian referee Espen Eskas and his colleagues were barracked by the home fans, seeing their aspirations to glory evaporate before their eyes.

They were further enraged, waving the white cards from the pre-match tifo to show their disgust, when Maroan Sannadi tumbled under pressure from Maguire as he ran towards goal but no foul was awarded.

United largely controlled the game in the second half, with Casemiro and Fernandes making life hard for the 10-man hosts, but they could not add a fourth despite probing.

The second leg takes place next Thursday at Old Trafford, ahead of the final on May 21 against Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt.

Sports

Manchester United Confirm Carrick As Permanent Head Coach

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2026

Editor

Manchester United on Friday confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent head coach, ending months of speculation over the managerial position at Old Trafford.

The 44-year-old former midfielder, who had been serving in an interim capacity since January, signed a multi-year contract reportedly running for two years with an option for a further 12 months.

Carrick took charge following the departure of Ruben Amorim earlier this year and has overseen a strong revival in the club’s fortunes.

Under his leadership, United have won 10 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League and climbed to third place in the Premier League.

The club’s chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly recommended Carrick for the role, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe approving the appointment after talks progressed this week.

Carrick enjoyed a successful playing career at United, making 463 appearances and winning several major honours, including the Champions League and multiple Premier League titles.

Fernandes enters history book after Man Utd’s 1-0 win against Chelsea

After retiring from football, he managed Middlesbrough before returning to United’s coaching staff.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes is among senior players understood to have backed Carrick’s appointment, while assistants including Jonathan Woodgate are expected to remain part of the coaching setup.

The decision marks another managerial change for Manchester United since the retirement of legendary former manager Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Carrick said he was “honoured and excited” to take charge permanently.

“This club means everything to me. We have momentum now, and I can’t wait to build on it with the players and staff,” he said.

United face Nottingham Forest on Sunday as preparations continue for next season.

Sports

CAF Introduces New Laws After Chaotic AFCON Final In Morocco

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2026

Editor

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has revealed that the continental football body introduced new laws and regulations following the controversial conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.

The final, played on January 18, descended into chaos after Senegal’s national team walked off the pitch in protest when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in stoppage time with the match still goalless.

Senegal were initially crowned champions before the result was later overturned, with the match declared forfeited in favour of hosts Morocco. The delayed ruling sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning why the decision was not taken immediately during the game.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday, Motsepe admitted that shortcomings in officiating and match management contributed to the controversy.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” Motsepe said.

“But there are still these challenges and we’ve recognized what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.”

According to the CAF president, new regulations have now been implemented to prevent a repeat of such incidents in future continental competitions.

Motsepe stated that the measures introduced “will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

He further disclosed that visits to both Senegal and Morocco formed part of CAF’s efforts to rebuild trust and confidence following the disputed final.

“We are waiting for the judgement of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and African football is continuing to grow and develop,” he said.

“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”

Motsepe also defended CAF’s decision to appoint Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate a major continental club final despite the controversy surrounding his handling of the AFCON final.

“After the final in Morocco, the chairman of the referees committee came to the executive committee, and they gave a thorough report of his performance and assessed how he refereed the match in accordance with global best refereeing practices,” Motsepe added.

Sports

FULL LIST: Top 10 Goalkeepers With The Most Clean Sheets In Europe’s Top Five Leagues

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2026

Editor

A new statistical ranking across Europe’s top five leagues has revealed the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in the 2025-26 season, with David Raya leading the standings.

This article covers performances across the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga. Goalkeepers tied on the same number of clean sheets are ranked by goals conceded.

Here are top 10 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues

1. David Raya – 18 clean sheets

The Arsenal shot-stopper has played a crucial role in the club’s defensive solidity this season, producing several important saves as he edges closer to the Premier League Golden Glove award.

2. Jean Butez – 18 clean sheets

The Como goalkeeper has matched Raya’s tally and has been central to the Italian side’s impressive defensive organisation under Cesc Fàbregas.

3. Mile Svilar – 16 clean sheets

Roma’s goalkeeper has continued his rise with a string of consistent performances as the club battles for European qualification.

4. Yann Sommer – 15 clean sheets

The experienced Swiss international has delivered key performances for Inter during their successful Serie A title campaign.

5. Joan García – 15 clean sheets

Barcelona’s new first-choice goalkeeper has impressed since taking over from Marc-André ter Stegen between the sticks.

6. Gianluigi Donnarumma – 15 clean sheets

The Italian international has continued to show his quality with several commanding performances throughout the campaign.

7. Mike Maignan – 14 clean sheets

AC Milan’s French goalkeeper remains one of Europe’s most dependable shot-stoppers, maintaining his strong form in Serie A.

8. Michele Di Gregorio – 14 clean sheets

The Juventus goalkeeper has been a reliable figure for the Turin side, helping maintain defensive consistency throughout the season.

9. Gregor Kobel – 14 clean sheets

The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper leads Bundesliga representation on the list and continues to strengthen his reputation as one of Europe’s elite keepers.

10. Berke Özer – 13 clean sheets

The Lille goalkeeper rounds off the top 10 after an impressive campaign in Ligue 1, contributing significantly to the club’s defensive record.

With the season still ongoing, the race for the highest number of clean sheets remains open, although Raya currently leads the standings.