BREAKING NEWS:‼️ A Bilbao player has spoken out with high praise for a Manchester United star after their crushing 3-0 defeat. “That guy completely flipped the game on its head,” he said. “Within ten minutes, I knew we were done — no one could touch him. He showed exactly why he thrives on the biggest stages. Watching him take control like that was something else. Honestly, I wouldn’t think twice about leaving Bilbao if it meant playing alongside him at United. Players like that don’t come around often — I’d rather fight with him than against him.”

In the wake of Manchester United’s emphatic 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final first leg, one of the most unexpected voices of admiration came not from a supporter, but from an opponent on the losing side. An anonymous player from the Bilbao squad, speaking with heartfelt honesty after the match, singled out United captain Bruno Fernandes as the match’s defining force, claiming he witnessed something extraordinary on that pitch.

 

The Bilbao player didn’t hold back in his praise, confessing that it took just a few minutes of watching Fernandes in action to realize the outcome was inevitable. According to him, the Portuguese maestro orchestrated the game in such a commanding fashion that his own team was left helpless. In fact, he was so moved by Fernandes’ performance that he openly declared he’d gladly leave his current club to play alongside such talent rather than suffer at its hands again.

 

Throughout the match, Fernandes was a storm in motion. Casemiro may have drawn first blood with the opening goal, but it was Bruno who swiftly added to the scoreboard with a calmly executed penalty, earned after Bilbao’s Dani Vivian was sent off for a foul on Rasmus Højlund. Before the first half had even ended, Fernandes struck again — this time fed by a slick pass from Manuel Ugarte — putting the game well beyond Bilbao’s reach.

 

That second goal wasn’t just a blow to the opposition; it was a landmark for Fernandes. It elevated him to the top of the record books for most goals and goal involvements in the knockout stages of the Europa League — a stat that only further cements his reputation as a big-game warrior. He doesn’t just show up; he takes over.

 

United’s head coach Ruben Amorim joined the chorus of acclaim, hailing Fernandes as a natural-born leader. Amorim emphasized that Bruno isn’t just about skill and goals — it’s his vision, his drive, his timing. He knows when to push forward, when to lift the team, and when to take the spotlight. “He is the perfect captain,” Amorim declared, making it clear that this team revolves around Fernandes’ energy and precision.

 

Currently, Manchester United stands as the last unbeaten club in European competition this season, and with such form and flair, the path to the final — which fittingly will also be played at San Mamés — seems wide open. The narrative is building, and Fernandes is right at its center, steering United toward continental triumph.

 

The fans, never shy in their devotion, erupted with celebrations both at the stadium and across the globe. Social media lit up with joy and awe — a testament to the connection between the captain and his supporters. “He was so sensational today,” one fan wrote, echoing the vibes from the electric Old Trafford celebrations.

 

As all eyes now turn toward the second leg on May 8 at Old Trafford, the pressure is on United to maintain their dominance and seal their place in the final. If Fernandes performs anything like he did in the first leg, there’s little doubt that glory is not just a dream, but a destiny within reach.