Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao: 6 Things We Learned
Manchester United's Europa League campaign is under threat after Sir Alex Ferguson's team were beaten 3-2 at home by Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in their last 16, first leg tie at Old Trafford,
The Basque visitors were fully deserving of their victory and might have won by a bigger margin on a night they became the latest team to expose United's vulnerability at home in Europe this season.
Here are six things we learned...
La Liga Is Not a Two-Team Town
1 of 6Those who thought Spain's top flight consisted of Barcelona and Real Madrid, then everybody else, were given a new perspective on Thursday night.
Bilbao are fifth right now in La Liga, so the fact they outplayed the Premier League champions on their own patch should tell you a lot about La Liga's supposed lack of strength in depth.
On this evidence Bilbao would be a highly competitive force in England and Spain's duopoly rule is under threat if Marcelo Bielsa can keep his young team together.
Old Trafford Is an Attacker's Playground
2 of 6There was a time when Old Trafford was a difficult place to come in Europe. In fact, when United lost to Fenerbahce in 1996 it was the first time in 40 years they'd been beaten at home in European competition.
Those days are long gone. This season United have been held by Basel and Benfica in the Champions League and beaten at Old Trafford by Ajax and now Bilbao in the Europa League.
The aura of invincibility has gone and much is down to United's inability to contain opponents on the counter-attack.
Ferguson's team have conceded 10 goals in five games at home in Europe this season, which tells you they're all too easy to break down.
De Gea Was Worth the Money
3 of 6United goalkeeper David De Gea has made plenty of high-profile mistakes this season, but the young Spaniard deserves praise for the way he's reacted to criticism.
De Gea was to the fore on Thursday night, making a string of fine saves and oozing a newfound confidence in his abilities. If not for his heroics Bilbao would already by home and dry, but as it stands United will still go to San Mames Stadium with a fighting chance.
De Gea still needs to bulk up and work on his abilities under the high ball, but the signs are good that the 21-year-old has a strength of character to endure bad times as well as good.
As a goalkeeper, such mental fortitude is essential.
United Are Not at Their Best
4 of 6United might have achieved a good result away to Tottenham on Sunday, but they lacked the fluency Ferguson's team are capable of and were some way from their best.
On Thursday night the same held true. United fell flat for long periods and lacked for inspiration in the final third.
Ashley Young was unconvincing, Ji-Sung Park too lightweight in midfield and even Wayne Rooney looked rusty at times.
And we haven't even touched on United's defending yet...
Lapses of Concentration Continue to Hurt United
5 of 6At the root of United's struggles at home in Europe this season has been their inability to maintain defensive concentration for 90 minutes.
On Thursday night this was clearest in Bilbao's third goal, scored by the excellent Iker Muniain (more to follow on him).
After De Gea had made yet another fine save to deny Oscar de Marcos, Muniain was given the freedom of Old Trafford to steal in and score from the rebound. Meanwhile, Rafael watched on like a dazed toddler in a toy shop.
"The defending was not very good, particularly in the second half," Ferguson told reporters after the game.
"When we changed to three in midfield in the second half we started to get a grip but the second goal put us on the back foot again."
How United have missed the authority of Nemanja Vidic in his absence,
Muniain Can Be a World-Class Talent
6 of 6Iker Muniain has been labelled "the Spanish Wayne Rooney" and on Thursday night the teenager once again displayed his enormous potential.
Muniain made his full international debut for Spain last month and could yet be part of the squad they take to Euro 2012.
Tenacious, quick and possessed of wonderful technique, Muniain is on course to be a big star in Europe.
Bilbao are going to have their work cut out to keep hold of him.
