Rio Ferdinand has predicted who could be a match-winner for Manchester United as they face Athletic Club in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Manchester United have begun their preparations in Spain ahead of the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club on Thursday — a pivotal moment for Rúben Amorim as he looks to guide his team closer to European glory.
United made their way to the final four with an unforgettable comeback against Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford. While trailing late in the tie, they hit back with three goals in seven minutes from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire, securing a 7-6 aggregate win in dramatic fashion.
Since then, their domestic form has been a mixed bag. A 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, rescued by a stoppage-time strike from Rasmus Højlund, extended their winless streak in the Premier League.
Now, after a few days to regroup, United have touched down in Bilbao with their focus entirely on Thursday’s encounter at San Mamés, knowing that a strong first-leg showing could give them the upper hand heading into the second leg.
Rio names the player who can be a match-winner for United
Ahead of the tie, former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand expressed his thoughts on the difficulty of the fixture on TNT Sports, hinting that the tie may fall into the hands of individual brilliance.
He picked out club captain Fernandes as the man who could make a difference in Bilbao, with the player being the man who has more goal involvements than anyone else in the competition’s history.
Fernandes has played 55 fixtures in the Europa League, scoring a stunning 25 goals and providing 22 assists.
He said: “It’s going to be a hard game, but we’re capable. We’ve got match-winners in our team, so someone like Bruno can create a moment to be a match-winner or a match-winning provider.”
Bruno shines despite turbulent season
Fernandes has once again proven himself to be the heartbeat of Manchester United this season. In a campaign riddled with inconsistency and disappointment, the Portuguese playmaker has delivered when it mattered most. With 17 goals and 16 assists to his name, Fernandes has been directly involved in nearly everything positive going forward for the team.
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At times, it has felt like he’s carried the entire club on his shoulders. While others have faltered, Fernandes has maintained a relentless work rate, consistently producing moments of quality in the final third.
His vision, technical ability, and knack for arriving in the right place at the right time have kept United competitive even when performances have dipped.
Beyond his stats, Fernandes has shown true leadership. Despite facing criticism in previous seasons—particularly regarding his body language and temperament—he’s responded with maturity and grit. As captain, he’s led by example, setting the tone on and off the pitch with his intensity and commitment.
As United prepare for a crucial two-legged tie, Fernandes will undoubtedly be the one to watch. His ability to dictate play, influence the tempo, and come up with decisive contributions makes him the club’s most important asset in big moments. If United are to progress, their captain will likely be central to it.
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