Three first-half goals helped Manchester United put themselves on the cusp of the Europa League final on Thursday, with the Premier League side earning a 3-0 semi-final first leg win away at Athletic Bilbao.

In a raucous San Memes atmosphere, with supporters dreaming of a first-ever European trophy, veteran midfielder Casemiro arrived at the back post to give the visitors the lead 30 minutes in.

United, who are having a miserable season domestically, were given another boost five minutes later as Bilbao defender Daniel Vivian was sent off for fouling Rasmus Hojlund in the penalty area and Bruno Fernandes converted the resulting spot kick.

The United fans high in the top tier were in dreamland moments later as captain Fernandes raced through to put the seal on a victory, and perhaps even the tie, before the interval.

Bilbao, who have the added incentive that the final will be hosted at their own stadium on May 21, could not muster a response in the second half with depleted numbers, leaving United to coast to the most unlikely first-leg success.

Spurs in sight of final after win over Bodo/Glimt

ottenham Hotspur put aside their woeful domestic season with a 3-1 home victory against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt leaving them within sight of the Europa League final on Thursday.

Brennan Johnson’s headed goal inside the opening minute paved the way for Ange Postecoglou’s Premier League strugglers and James Maddison doubled their lead with a smart finish in the 34th minute after controlling a long pass.

Dominic Solanke’s cooly-taken 61st minute penalty, given for a foul by Fredrik Sjovold on Cristian Romero, put the hosts completely in control of the semi-final.

Bodo/Glimt, the first Norwegian club to reach a European semi-final, did not manage a shot on target for the first 83 minutes but there was a late twist as captain Ulrik Saltnes’s deflected effort gave them hope for next week’s second leg on their artificial pitch inside the Arctic Circle.