Harry Maguire given brilliant new nickname at Man Utd as Bruno Fernandes makes shock admission about defender

Casemiro's opening goal at a noisy San Mames broke the deadlock and put Manchester United on course for a very comfortable win against Athletic Club in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie.

Man Utd won 3-0 in Bilbao thanks to a couple of goals from Bruno Fernandes after the Brazilian midfielder's header after half an hour.

Manuel Ugarte was credited with the assist for United's first goal but the cross flicked across goal by the Uruguayan midfielder came from the most unlikely source.

Peeling away to the right flank after going forward for a free kick, centre back Harry Maguire displayed some fancy footwork and the trickery of a nippy winger to leave Mikel Jauregizar chasing the England international's not insignificant shadow.

He's earned a new nickname as a result.

Maguire was anointed 'Harrydinho' on social media and welcomed the new moniker when he spoke to TNT Sports after the game, during which United overpowered the Basque side and a noisy atmosphere at San Mames.

"Brilliant," said the defender. "I'm sure there's a few nicknames out there for me. But the win was more important. The tie is not done... I'm sure Old Trafford will be like this place. It was nice to do a bit of dribbling out there. They must have trusted me to put in the cross."

Harrydinho's captain might not back him up on the matter of trust.

After seeing off a Spanish reporter with a loose grasp on the Laws of the Game, Fernandes also shared his post-match thoughts with TNT Sports.

Bruno Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain (Image: Getty)

"I said that straight away, what a winger!" said the Portugal midfielder.

"I don't think that even he thought he had that in his locker. No one was expecting that. I think even the opposition was not expecting that.

"Obviously we're very happy. Harry is a much more confident man now. Things are coming through and when he's playing the games, he's also getting goals and defending very well."

The Red Devils' big win in Bilbao puts them in the driving seat for a place in the Europa League final.

If they make it past Athletic, United will be back at San Mames for the final against Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt of Norway.

Spurs also produced an emphatic win in their semi-final first leg.