Athletic Bilbao 2–1 Manchester United (5-3 Agg): Highlights, Match Report from Thursday’s Europa League Match [VIDEO]

Athletic Bilbao followed-up their fine performance at Old Trafford to knock out Manchester United with a 2-1 win at San Mames gave them a comfortable 5-3 aggregate victory in the Europa League last-16 tie.

The night capped off a miserable European campaign for United this season, while Bilbao once more showcased their hugely talented group of young players and showed that they will be a serious threat going forward in the competition.

A phenomenal strike by Fernando Llorente was followed-up by Oscar De Marcos' goal in the second half to send Bilbao through, in spite of Wayne Rooney's spectacular late consolation.

Despite trailing 3-2 from the first fixture a week ago and needing to score at least twice, Sir Alex Ferguson started with Wayne Rooney as the only outright striker.

It was Bilbao who once again looked the more threatning going forward in the early stages. A superb move featuring a sublime layoff by Llorente to Iker Munian, saw the young Spaniard's shot bounce back off the post. From the rebound Oscar De Marcos skied over with the goal at his mercy.

United failed to heed their warning, though, and Bilbao took the lead through yet another extraordinary piece of skill by Llorente. An inch perfect long pass from Amorebieta sailed over the head of Rio Ferdinand and the Spanish international Llorente met ball with a volley of the highest technique to send the ball into far corner past the unmoved De Gea.

If the task was not great enough for United at the start of the evening, they now needed to score at least three times to have a chance of progressing.

The United defense surely took a huge sigh of relief when their tormentor, Llorente, was forced off injured five minutes before half time.

That loss did not nothing to halt Bilbao's incessant attacks. And shortly after the break the home side were desperately close to adding yet another goal of the highest order.

Andoni Iraola picked up the ball on edge of the box and evaded one forlorn United challenge after another until he was staring right down De Gea. But, with the crowd just waiting to erupt once more, the fullback dragged his shot wide.

It was no surprise when Bilbao took a 2-0 lead on the night. Substitute Chris Smalling's header only fell as far as Oscar De Marcos who took a touch before driving the ball in off Jonny Evans.

The Basque supporters were almost on their feet once more shortly after when Susaeta side-footed wide when in a great position after a smart cutback from Jon Aurtenetxe.

As is too often the case, Wayne Rooney was the again the only player capable of providing any spark for a subdued United side. With 10 minutes remaining Rooney gathered the ball on the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful right-footed curling effort that screamed into the top corner of Iraizoz's net.

While of huge aesthetic pleasure, Rooney's strike was to be of no significance to the tie, as Bilbao ran out comfortable winners. Leaving United with just the Premier League to contest for the remainder of the season.