Athletic Bilbao star hits out at referee after crushing Man United defeat but insists

Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has hit out at the officiating during his side’s devastating 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United and insisted the LaLiga side is capable of staging a comeback.

The pre-match fever of a San Mames crowd hopeful of seeing their team return for the final of the Europa League later this month was dispelled within 45 minutes as the Red Devils hit three goals without reply.

Much-maligned veteran midfielder Casemiro headed home the opener before two efforts from Bruno Fernandes put the Premier League side in a commanding position.

However, there was some controversy about United’s second goal, which came via the penalty spot after Rasmus Hojlund was pulled back by Dani Vivian. The Bilboa defender was sent off after a VAR review but the Spanish side protested what they believed was an Alejandro Garnacho handball in the build-up.

Following the crushing loss, Williams insisted that Bilbao have enough to complete a stunning reversal at Old Trafford, while he and his manager claimed referee Espen Eskas was incorrect in not spotting Garnacho’s infraction.

‘We protested a handball by Garnacho. I think the ball hit his hand… but the referee decided it was a penalty and a red card [for Vivian],’ said Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde.

Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has hit out at the officiating during his side’s devastating 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United

Bilbao players believed Alejandro Garnacho should have been penalised for a handball in the lead up to United’s second goal

The complexion of the first leg changed after defender Dani Vivian was sent off and United were awarded a penalty in the first half

Williams said: ‘We are capable of coming back. There are some plays that raise doubts. The play before the penalty comes from a handball by Garnacho, which the referee doesn’t see.

‘It’s a struggle between Vivian and him. At the slightest contact, he goes down, and it’s unfortunate that he called it.’

The in-demand forward admitted that the home side were far from their best in Thursday’s clash but he remained optimistic of turning the result around next week, citing United’s struggles in the last round against Lyon.

‘We weren’t very sharp, there’s no need to make excuses,’ he added. ‘We’re 3-0 down, but we’re capable of overcoming that. We’ve already seen that Lyon gave them problems at home and we’re going to try and do the same.

‘The work of the entire season speaks for itself. We’re in the final stretch of our dream. Our fans have always supported us and we’re going to give it our all.’