Two moments vs Athletic Bilbao showed Manchester United are playing in Ruben Amorim's image

Even Ruben Amorim admitted that "nobody expected" Manchester United to leave San Mames with a 3-0 aggregate lead.

Up against the meanest defence in Spain, United took full advantage of Dani Vivian's first-half red card. Goals from Bruno Fernandes (2) and Casemiro mean that United are highly likely to grace the San Mames turf again later this month.

Having shown tremendous character to come back against all odds and knock Lyon out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage, it was widely expected United would face their sternest test yet in the competition in the form of Athletic.

They had finished second in the league phase, beaten AS Roma and Rangers in the first two knockout rounds and had won all of their first six home games in the competition this term. Inaki Williams' header after 11 minutes was a warning sign that they were in the mood to make it seven wins out of seven on home soil.

But after United, who were sloppy in the opening exchanges, got themselves in front via Casemiro's header after half an hour, there was no turning back for Amorim's troops.

Following Casemiro's opener, Bilbao were reduced to ten men just five minutes later when Dani Vivian was sent off for pulling Rasmus Hojlund back when he tried to reach a low cross inside the six-yard box.

The opportunity to go 2-0 up on the night and in the tie was too good an opportunity to pass up. After being taunted by the Bilbao fans during the time it took for the referee to review the incident and then deal with the inevitable protests that followed his decision to dismiss Vivian, Fernandes kept his cool to slot the ball home.

All of a sudden United were 2-0 up. Nobody had anticipated that scoreline after 37 minutes.

However, the incident that led to