Athletic Bilbao Passing Masterclass Proves Manchester United Are Nothing to Fear

Athletic Club Bilbao went to Old Trafford and embarrassed the reigning Premier League champions with a masterclass in quick passing and intelligent football. The result was a comprehensive 3-2 shock victory in the UEFA Europa League last 16.

The club who currently sit just outside the Champions League spots in La Liga played Manchester United off the park in a thoroughly dominating performance that proves the Red Devils are nothing to fear.

After tonight's resounding win, Bilbao can head into the second leg next week confident of completing the upset. They proved that they are still capable of overcoming the continent's biggest clubs despite their strict responsibility and commitment to developing youth players on a budget.

They routinely glided through a slow paced and bewildered looking United team with a series of one- and two-touch passing routines. United simply couldn't cope with the Basque team's clever movement and speed of thought.

The stars were diminutive forward schemers like Iker Munain and Oscar de Marcos. The pacey and tricky pair caused United problems all night by dropping into space to receive the ball and timing smart, late runs into the box.

Their efforts were brilliantly supplemented by 22-year-old Ander Herrera who marshaled the midfield with poise and efficiency. Arsene Wenger should take note of every member of this talented trio. These are the kind of cerebral and technically refined players the Frenchman should rebuild his Arsenal team with.

Bilbao's thrilling night showed that United are there for the taking by anyone who dares to play with the same boldness and flair. There is simply no longer a reason not to attack United in the same way Marcelo Bielsa's team did.

In Wayne Rooney, the Red Devils possess one of the most gifted players in the world game and Sir Alex Ferguson's team will always give maximum effort. Yet outside Rooney, there is no one to truly scare the opposition.

Bilbao showed the way to beat United is to be technical, fluid and creative. They proved that quick passing and smart interchanges, can be more than a match for teams built on pace and power via big budgets. More of the same will ensure safe passage to the quarterfinals.

Sadly, a result like this only increases the risk of Bilbao seeing yet another talented core of homegrown players poached by Europe's elite. It's a bitter irony after a night of memorable achievement.