Ferguson believes tie is still winnable - Manchester United 2-3 Athletic Bilbao | Europa League 2012
- 10 years ago
Manchester United face an uphill battle to reach the Europa League quarter-finals after a shock first-leg defeat by a fearless Athletic Bilbao side.
Wayne Rooney smashed United ahead from close range before Fernando Llorente's header drew the visitors level.
But the cavalier Spaniards refused to settle for a draw as United failed to win yet another European home game.
The hosts were stunned by second-half goals from Oscar de Marcos and Iker Muniain before a late Rooney penalty.
Defeat leaves United with just one win from their five European games at Old Trafford this season, with the solitary victory coming in less than convincing fashion against Romanian minnows Otelul Galati.
After their disappointing Champions League exit, United are seeking some solace by attempting to win the continent's secondary competition and therefore become only the fourth side, after Juventus, Ajax and Bayern Munich, to win all three major European club trophies.
But Sir Alex Ferguson's men have left themselves with a tough task to even make the last eight after an entertaining clash against the fifth-placed La Liga side.
A stunning performance from Marcelo Bielsa's energetic and aggressive Bilbao team shocked Old Trafford and the Spaniards could have run away with victory but for several superb second-half saves from their countryman David de Gea.
However, the home side were given a glimmer of hope when Rooney kept his cool from the penalty spot after De Marcos inexplicably handled inside his own box with just seconds left.
Teenage attacker Muniain pulled all the strings around the home box after the break, going close himself with a fierce drive and setting up Llorente, before De Marcos slammed home Ander Herrara's lofted pass.
And the vociferous 6,500 Bilbao fans packed inside Old Trafford were left in dreamland when Muniain pounced on a catalogue of errors from United's dozy defenders in the final minute.
However, there was an element of controversy about the decisive goal with Pa
Wayne Rooney smashed United ahead from close range before Fernando Llorente's header drew the visitors level.
But the cavalier Spaniards refused to settle for a draw as United failed to win yet another European home game.
The hosts were stunned by second-half goals from Oscar de Marcos and Iker Muniain before a late Rooney penalty.
Defeat leaves United with just one win from their five European games at Old Trafford this season, with the solitary victory coming in less than convincing fashion against Romanian minnows Otelul Galati.
After their disappointing Champions League exit, United are seeking some solace by attempting to win the continent's secondary competition and therefore become only the fourth side, after Juventus, Ajax and Bayern Munich, to win all three major European club trophies.
But Sir Alex Ferguson's men have left themselves with a tough task to even make the last eight after an entertaining clash against the fifth-placed La Liga side.
A stunning performance from Marcelo Bielsa's energetic and aggressive Bilbao team shocked Old Trafford and the Spaniards could have run away with victory but for several superb second-half saves from their countryman David de Gea.
However, the home side were given a glimmer of hope when Rooney kept his cool from the penalty spot after De Marcos inexplicably handled inside his own box with just seconds left.
Teenage attacker Muniain pulled all the strings around the home box after the break, going close himself with a fierce drive and setting up Llorente, before De Marcos slammed home Ander Herrara's lofted pass.
And the vociferous 6,500 Bilbao fans packed inside Old Trafford were left in dreamland when Muniain pounced on a catalogue of errors from United's dozy defenders in the final minute.
However, there was an element of controversy about the decisive goal with Pa