Athletic Bilbao star Williams hits out at referee and sends clear warning to Man Utd

Inaki Williams has warned Manchester United that Athletic Bilbao are more than capable of mounting a stunning comeback in the second leg of the sides’ Europa League semi-final.

United took a 3-0 lead away from Bilbao to put one foot in the final of Europe’s second-tier competition, with Ruben Amorim’s men producing a dominant performance in front of a shellshocked San Mames Barria crowd.

Casemiro headed home the opening goal – after some exquisite wing-play from Harry Maguire – to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, sending United’s travelling support into raptures.

Athletic’s evening went from bad to worse as Dani Vivian was sent off for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund in the 35th minute and Bruno Fernandes increased the deficit with the resulting penalty, keeping his cool to fire beyond Julen Agirrezabala from 12 yards.

On the stroke of half-time, Fernandes added a third with an equally composed finish to pile yet more misery on the home team and Amorim’s side held firm in the second period to preserve their imperious advantage.

Athletic’s players felt Alejandro Garnacho should have been pulled up for handball in the build-up to United’s penalty, but referee Espen Eskas’ allowed play to continue and there was no intervention from VAR.

‘We protested a handball by Garnacho. I think the ball hit his hand… but the referee decided it was a penalty and a red card [for Vivian],’ Athletic head coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters at his post-match press conference.

Athletic winger Williams, brother of Nico, was also critical of the refereeing prior to United’s spot-kick, accusing the officials of completely missing Garnacho’s supposed handball.

‘We are capable of coming back,’ Williams said.

‘There are some plays that raise doubts. The play before the penalty comes from a handball by Garnacho, which the referee doesn’t see.

‘It’s a struggle between Vivian and him. At the slightest contact, he goes down, and it’s unfortunate that he called it.

Williams conceded that Athletic were far from their best across the 90 minutes, but stressed that the tie was from from over ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford.

‘We weren’t very sharp, there’s no need to make excuses,’ he added.

‘We’re 3-0 down, but we’re capable of overcoming that. We’ve already seen that Lyon gave them problems at home and we’re going to try and do the same.

‘The work of the entire season speaks for itself. We’re in the final stretch of our dream. Our fans have always supported us and we’re going to give it our all.’

Casemiro produced an exceptional performance at the heart of United’s midfield and was singled out for praise by Rio Ferdinand for his ‘sensational’ showing.

However, the Brazilian – a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid – was keen to point out to his team-mates that it was only half-time in the tie.

Asked if the Red Devils had already put the tie to bed, Casemiro told Movistar+: ‘No, of course not.

‘I give that message as it is not over. I know this Athletic Bilbao team very well, I know there have great players.

‘We have to show a lot of respect and I ask on behalf of Manchester and everyone that we have to have respect them as an opponent because they never give up.’

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