Man Utd youngster had his ‘best game under me’ says boss Ruben Amorim after victory over Athletic Club | OneFootball

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim singled out striker Rasmus Hojlund for having his “best game” under his management in the 3-0 victory over Athletic Club.

United will take a big advantage back to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final thanks to a Casemiro goal and a double from Bruno Fernandes.

Casemiro’s close-range header set United on the path to victory before Fernandes added a second from the penalty spot, after a foul on Rasmus Hojlund which saw Daniel Vivian sent off.

Fernandes then added a third before the break, and Amorim was also keen to praise Hojlund for the role he had in the victory.

“It’s hard to say but I think it was the best game that he had with me as a coach,” the United boss said.

“He helped the team a lot. He secured the ball and made the runs, and then decided quite well.

“It’s a good moment for him but like Harry [Maguire] he needs to understand that everything can change. Let’s focus on the next one. This is in the past, we have a tough one on Sunday against Brentford and then again in the second leg.”

Defender Maguire also proved crucial in the win, popping up in the unlikely position of right winger to put in a pinpoint cross for Manuel Ugarte to head on to Casemiro to score the first of the evening.

It comes after the England centre-back scored a late winner in the last round against Lyon to send United through and Amorim lauded the way the 32-year-old has dealt with some difficult moments.

“Anything can happen,” Amorim said. “It’s not just Harry. The history of this game can tell you lot. It looks like we are struggling a lot, but then everything changes and people say it’s the best game of the season.

“We have to understand that the players have some moments in their life where they have to just keep working, and things can change.”