Manchester United fans didn’t hesitate to drop their clear-cut feelings on Casemiro after the player’s display against Athletic Club in their crucial Europa League clash.
The Red Devils travelled to Spain on Thursday evening and Athletic Club hosted Manchester United at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao in their first-leg tie.
Ruben Amorim’s men punched their ticket to the Europa League semi-finals in their campaign after United knocked Lyon out of the quarter-finals at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils’ season now hinges on their success in their Europa League run, with United pushing to salvage their lacklustre 2024-25 campaign with major silverware.
The Europa League is United’s main hope of securing a return to European football for the 2025-26 season and their route back into the Champions League.
Ruben Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2024, could sign off the Red Devils’ season with his first trophy as United manager if his side win the Europa League.
The Red Devils have struggled with their Premier League campaign and United secured a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium last Sunday.
Amorim’s men languish in 14th place in the Premier League table and the club are winless in their last five league matches after United’s result against Bournemouth.
Man Utd fans react to Casemiro vs Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final match at the San Mames Stadium
Casemiro was in the Manchester United starting XI for the Athletic Club match and the 33-year-old Brazilian midfielder has thrived in the Europa League campaign.
The former Brazil international was deployed in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system for United alongside teammate Manuel Ugarte in the heart of midfield on Thursday.
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, were simply blown away by the impressive performance of Casemiro at the San Mames Stadium.
One Red Devils supporter said: “Casemiro has been incredible tonight. Robbie [Savage] and Rio [Ferdinand] are spot on with their analysis. Absolutely unreal from the anthem to this point. Looked absolutely locked in.”
“Casemiro is in the mood tonight,” another wrote.
Someone else commented: “DO NOT sell Casemiro. He’s crucial for us under pressure, bench him if needs be, but his experience is highly needed in this squad.”
“Absolutely loving Casemiro’s passion and comeback,” a fourth United fan added.
While a fifth tweeted: “Casemiro has had a resurgence of form.”
“Casemiro [has been] absolutely outstanding tonight, Man of the Match,” somebody else posted.
A seventh suggested: “[Man United] finally using Casemiro how he should be used. And it’s showing real quality and leadership tonight.”
And another simply claimed: “Casemiro is unplayable today.”
What happened in Athletic Club vs Man Utd in the first-leg Europa League semi-final clash in Bilbao?
United punished Athletic Club in the first half of the match after Harry Maguire floated a superb cross into the box from the right wing and found Manuel Ugarte.
Manuel Ugarte flicked the ball to Casemiro at the back post and the former Real Madrid star fired a close-range header into the back of the Athletic Club net.
Following Casemiro’s opener in the 30th minute, Athletic Club were reduced to 10 men only five minutes later after Spain centre-back Dani Vivian was sent off.
Bruno Fernandes subsequently converted a penalty against Athletic Club after Dani Vivian was shown a red card for his challenge on Rasmus Hojlund in the box.
Ugarte then picked up his second assist in the first half alone after United captain Bruno Fernandes completed his brace eight minutes later on Thursday evening.
United were in full control going into half-time with a 3-0 scoreline on the board against 10-man Athletic Club at the San Mames Stadium in the first-leg tie.
The Red Devils held onto their 3-0 lead in the second half of the Europa League tie and United will now host Athletic Club for the return leg at Old Trafford on 8th May.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/ezZ492r