'Too safe' - Harry Maguire names only thing Manchester United did wrong in Athletic Club win
Man Utd secured a massive 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in their Europa League semi-final first leg.
Harry Maguire shone as Manchester United defeated Athletic Club 3-0 in the first leg of their massive Europa League semi-final tie on Thursday night. The 32-year-old was the scoring hero as United overcame Lyon in the quarter-final and he showed more attacking talent with an incredible assist to set-up their opening goal in Bilbao.
Maguire found himself in possession on the right wing and beat a defender with a fantastic dribble before he delivered a dangerous cross into the box that led to Casemiro's header. Bruno Fernandes added a further two goals before half-time as United asserted their dominance in the tie against the 10 men of Athletic Club.
United had further chances to add to their lead in the second half of the match, but failed to make their dominance count on what was a comfortable night. The missed opportunities are unlikely to cost them a place in the Europa League final, though Maguire is well aware there is still work to be done before they can plan their return to Bilbao.
Maguire names only thing United did wrong in Athletic Club win
Speaking after the 3-0 victory over Athletic Club, Harry Maguire praised his Manchester United teammates for their performance, though he admitted they were guilty of playing it 'too safe' in the second half.
"The first 20 minutes were difficult, the crowd were super loud and the intensity was high," he told TNT Sports. "We made a few errors and we looked a little bit nervous at times in the first 20 minutes. I thought the lads grew into the game really well, we weathered the storm and we knew we'd get our chances and we were really clinical in that first half. The tie isn't done we'll be focused, ready at Old Trafford next Thursday and I'm sure Old Trafford will be like this place."
"It's more important the win, it was a clinical first half, professional second half. We had a few chances to get the fourth but we maybe could have play it at a bigger tempo, we played it maybe a little too safe, but it's a great victory in the end but another big game next week. All the pressure is on us now, everyone will expect us to get into the final, so next Thursday we need to make sure we prepare like we've done in this game, and if we do we give ourselves a great opportunity to make the final. It's been a great night for us, one foot in the final but it's still not done."