Europa League: Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United – in pictures

Pre-match prepartions have taken a twist at Manchester United's Carrington training ground this week ... Well, they needed to do something differently given the way they were steam-rollered by Bilbao last week Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

It's a breathless start with play swinging from goalmouth to goalmouth. Here, Manchester United's French defender Patrice Evra fends off Athletic Bilbao's midfielder Markel Susaeta Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

Athletic Bilbao's players react after a glaring miss by Oscar de Marcos. First Iker Muniain cracked the far post and then de Marcos somehow lifted the rebound over the bar from ten yards when faced with an empty net Photograph: Rafa Rivas/AFP/Getty Images

United are trying their best to stretch the Bilbao defence, but their attacks are short-lived. Bilbao keep springing back Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/AP

Wow, what a goal that is! Bilbao's Fernando Llorente stuns United with a first-time volley which flies across the face of the goal and into the bottom corner. Shades of Marco Van Basten. The long-range pass which created it was visionary, too - a sublime goal all round Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

Llorente wheels off in delight ... Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/AP

His team-mates are quick to catch him and smoother him. They know how big that goal is - United now need to score three to stay in the competition Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

It's no wonder Alex Ferguson doesn't look too happy, United are being torn apart here Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

Fergie's mood must be even darker now - Bilbao have scored again and their fans are twirling scarves in celebration. De Marcos pounced on a loose ball in the area, turned inside and lashed home a shot which deflected off Jonny Evans Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/AP

With nine minutes to go, Wayne Rooney gives the United fans a glimmer of hope when he unleashes a brilliant curling shot from the edge of the area to make it 2-1. They need two more goals to force extra-time. Surely they can't manage it? Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

They can't. Athletic Bilbao hold on for a momentous victory. United were thoroughly beaten by a team of bright and industrious young players. The Red half of Manchester are out of Europe Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images