Manchester United have one foot in the UEFA Europa League final following a 3-0 win over ten-man Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semi-final.
Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo were recalled to the Red Devils' line-up after the weekend's draw against Bournemouth, with Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo dropping to the bench.
The visitors made a lively start when Ugarte slipped Alejandro Garnacho through on goal before the latter found the bottom corner, however the goal was ruled out for an offside.
Bilbao went close to pulling ahead on the 20-minute mark when Inaki Williams did well to pick out Alex Berenguer, who saw his strike cleared off the line by Lindelöf.
The hosts were made to rue that miss ten minutes later when some good work by Harry Maguire on the right flank ended with Ugarte heading the ball into the path of Casemiro, who headed home at the far post.
United were afforded a chance to extend the lead five minutes later after being awarded a penalty for Dani Vivian's foul on Rasmus Hojlund that resulted in a red card for the Bilbao defender, before Bruno Fernandes showed the composure to send the Julen Agirrezabala the wrong way to make it 2-0.
Fernandes completed his brace just before the halftime break with a composed finish from close range after he was slipped through on goal by Ugarte's neat flick.
Ruben Amorim's charges showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, as Ugarte had a long range effort saved by Agirrezabala while Casemiro's glancing header was denied by the woodwork in the opening 15 minutes.
Bilbao, meanwhile, had no answer with their ten men and could only trouble United with the occasional counter-attack but the Red Devils defenders did well to snuff out any opening into the final third.
The Red Devils will now take a healthy lead in to next weekend's second leg at Old Trafford
