Absolute Rubbish!!!

MANCHESTER UNITED are hanging on to their Europa League place by their fingertips. Only an injury-time Wayne Rooney penalty last night has left them with any hope going to the San Mames next week. But, in truth, they should be all but out as the Red Devils were devoured by the Lions. It was another nightmare night of European woe for United this season. The club that has contested three of the last four Champions League finals have looked like novices. Old Trafford, which was once such a fortress, was breached again just a fortnight after they lost here 2-1 to Ajax. They have now won only once here in five European games this season — and that was against Romanian minnows Otelul Galati. Indeed, but for David de Gea's heroics last night, Athletic could have had six.

Champions League elimination at the group stage was bad enough. But to be knocked out of the Europa League before it even gets interesting will be something else. If you had watched Barcelona the night before and United in this game you would not have believed they had shared the same stage in two of the last three Champions League finals.

This was no smash and grab from the Basque side, either. They dominated much of the game. Their slick passing football unstitched United time and time again. For the passionate 7,200 who had made the trip from Bilbao this was well worth the trip. For the United fans, this season in Europe has been something to forget.

Just as against Ajax a fortnight ago, they took the lead early on only to then be totally overawed. The warning signs were there from the start. Just four minutes in, the tormentor supreme Fernando Llorente single handedly pulled the United defence this way, then that, before releasing a shot that went just wide of the post. Then, when Chris Smalling pulled the same player's shirt in the area in the 19th minute, it could have been a penalty. United would take the lead against the run of play when, after Javier Hernandez twice exchanged passes with Ryan Giggs, he had a shot parried by Gorka Iraizoz.

Rooney was straight on to the loose ball and fired it home from close range for his 23rd goal of the season and first from open play in Europe. That should have settled United — but it only served to inspire the visitors all the more. When Oscar de Marcos played a through ball, Markel Susaeta sprinted away from Jonny Evans only to lift a chip wide of the far post. Andrea Iraola also had a powerful shot well saved at the near post by De Gea.

Then a minute before the break came the equaliser. Llorente is Bilbao's towering front man and hero of the Bilbao faithful. You could see why, too, with the problems he caused United all last night. Not least when he teed up and finished his goal. Receiving the ball on the top of the box with his back to goal, he laid it back to Iraola, who slipped in the speedy Markel Susaeta down the right. His cross was perfect for Llorente who had spun into a central position in the United box to head home. Within 10 minutes of the second half both Iker Muniain and Llorente once more had tested De Gea to the limit with shots that brought equally fine saves.

Another tight passing move put Muniain in and this time it was the legs of De Gea who came to the rescue. The second did come as another fantastic passing move from Bilbao undid United. It finished with Ander Herrera lifting the ball through for Oscar De Marcos and the 72nd-minute finish was sublime. Then, with a minute to go, a shot from De Marcos was palmed out by De Gea only for Muniain to hammer home the follow up. But there was then a late twist and a moment that may well come back to haunt the Basque side. It came in injury time when Hernandez's shot was handled just inside the box by De Marcos. Rooney stepped forward and thundered home the penalty. A shot powered by frustration as much as anything else. There is hope and United have the spirit and will to turn any situation around. They will have no chance, however, if they repeat this performance.