Manchester United 2 Athletic Bilbao 3: Reds face the boot as sleepy Rafael nods off

By Chris Wheeler for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:58 EDT, 8 March 2012 | Updated: 05:52 EDT, 9 March 2012

Wake up was Sir Alex Ferguson's pre-match message to Manchester United, but his players clearly weren't listening.

Certainly not young Rafael Da Silva who may live to regret the moment he inexplicably switched off for the goal that could cost Ferguson's side a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

So much for rubbing our hands in anticipation of an all-Manchester final in Bucharest in May.

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Leveller: Llorente brought the visitors on terms just before half-time

Quite what the young Brazilian was thinking when he watched the ball roll away from David de Gea and towards Iker Muniain in the 89th minute, only he will know but it summed up another lamentable defensive performance from the Barclays Premier League champions.

Wayne Rooney's injury-time penalty and a string of superb saves from United's own Spaniard De Gea have given United a lifeline they barely deserve when Ferguson's side go to Basque country next week.

But this was a depressingly familiar storyline for United in Europe this season. Leading at home once again, just as they were against Basle and Ajax two weeks ago, it all went downhill as an impressive Bilbao side hit back in stunning fashion.

A second successive European defeat at home again left Ferguson searching for an explanation. He took the blame after the Ajax loss, and questions must be asked after he recalled Rafael in another unfamiliar back four.

Wayne's world: Rooney bagged the opener for United (below) after 22 minutes and celebrates (above)

But surely his players have to hold their hands up this time. Bilbao were as brilliant as United were bad, and as vibrant as their 6,000 army of fans, even though it must be said that questions remain over two of their three goals.

Indeed, by the time United broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute it was the Spanish side who were looking most likely to open the scoring, with Fernando Llorente making a real nuisance of himself.

But they were caught unawares when Rooney was fouled just over the halfway line and took a quick free-kick to Ryan Giggs. The United veteran surged forward and exchanged a series of passes with Javier Hernandez, who checked back inside two defenders and tried his luck with a low left-foot shot.

Heads up: Llorente nodded the Spaniards' first goal of the evening - much to the delight of the travelling fans (below)

Goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz got down to push it away but only as far as Rooney, who turned the ball into the empty net from close range. The England striker will score more difficult goals this season but credit to him for making up ground after starting the move.

Bilbao pressed forward undeterred and were certainly deserving of Llorente's equaliser in the 44th minute. Muniain was allowed to break forward from deep and feed the ball into 6ft 5in Spain striker Llorente, who knocked it on to Andoni Iraola.

He played it out to Markel Susaeta, whose first-time cross picked out Llorente's charging run as he burst between Rafael and Chris Smalling to plant a powerful header past De Gea.

Stunner: De Marcos' volley put the visitors in front and he celebrates (below)

Ferguson's appearance on the touchline at the start of the second was an indication of how dimly he viewed United's failure to heed his warnings. But it was Bilbao who again started more purposefully and De Gea made two outstanding saves to deny Ander Herrera and Muniain before he was beaten again in the 72nd minute.

Oscar De Marcos was clearly offside when Herrera played a clever flick over the United defence but, while Ferguson's players hesitated, the Bilbao midfielder played to the whistle and showed great technique to hook the ball across De Gea and into the bottom corner with his left foot.

There was an even greater element of controversy about the third goal in the 89th minute. Patrice Evra was deep in Bilbao territory when his boot came off and German referee Florian Meyer stopped play and - correctly - awarded a free-kick to the Spanish side.

Flying: United goalkeeper De Gea was forced to make a string of stunning saves

United expected the ball to be played back to them as an act of sportsmanship but it was instead launched upfield. Jonny Evans and Phil Jones went for the same ball and Anderson then failed to close down De Marcos, whose fierce drive brought another good save from De Gea.

But, as the ball ran loose, Rafael stood still even when his goalkeeper began chasing desperately after it. Too late. Muniain was on to it in a flash and arrived a split second before his compatriot.It gave him enough time to hammer the ball past De Gea and into the roof of the net.

Heading out? United face the real prospect of being dumped out of European competition

Rooney's second goal, and 24th of the season, was delivered equally emphatically from the penalty spot after De Marcos was penalised for handling Hernandez's cross in the  second minute of added time. It has kept United in this tie.

They must score at least twice in Spain next week, just as their two goals in Amsterdam ultimately proved decisive against Ajax. But they simply cannot keep doing this to themselves.

Bloodied and bruised: Smalling had to go off to receive treatment to his head wound but there was some hope after Rooney fired home a late penalty

Bloodied and bruised: Smalling had to go off to receive treatment to his head wound but there was some hope after Rooney fired home a late penalty

In focus

Chris Smalling

Wore a hairnet to protect a head wound picked up on England duty, but a buffeting from Fernando Llorente meant he lasted only 53 minutes before coming off bloodied.

Phil Jones

Signed from Blackburn as a centre half, he has often filled in at right back and was used here as a midfield anchor man. Early tackle on Ander Herrera showed why.

Marcelo Bielsa

Linked with the manager’s job at Chelsea and monitored events from the technical area, often sinking to his haunches at key moments. Where have we seen that before?

Video: Post-match Press conference with Sir Alex Ferguson