Manchester United limped into a Europa League last-16 meeting with Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford last night after coming perilously close to being knocked out by Ajax following a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
Two goals ahead of the Dutch giants at kick-off after an excellent performance in Amsterdam seven days ago, the Red Devils got off to the perfect start when Javier Hernandez put them in front after just five minutes.
United failed to capitalise though. And after Aras Ozbiliz had levelled on the night, the midfielder then set home nerves jangling four minutes from time by dropping a free-kick on to the head of Toby Alderweireld, who powered home from close range.
Another for the visitors would have sent them through on away goals.
Thankfully for a red-faced United they managed to hold on to complete a 3-2 aggregate win.
Manchester United defender Phil Jones admitted his team paid the price for complacency.
“I don’t think we were at our best tonight,” Jones said.
“We got off to a great start, scored and seemed to be in control of the game.
“But a little bit of complacency set in. We should have won the game and we will review our performance tomorrow and take it from there.
“The manager said at half-time we’ve got to up the tempo and we didn’t do that for whatever reasons. We weren’t good enough in the second half, nowhere near.”
Spanish trio
Bilbao were one of three Spanish sides to cruise into the last 16.
Athletic Bilbao had an arguably tough challenge against Lokomotiv Moscow following a 2-1 defeat to the Russians in the first leg last week.
And their away goal in the Russian capital proved to be crucial as the Spaniards could only eke out a 1-0 win in Bilbao thanks to winger Iker Muniain’s 62nd-minute winner.
Valencia followed Athletic Bilbao in advancing to the last 16 of the Europa League yesterday.
Valencia started their home tie against Stoke City boasting a 1-0 lead, and their task became easier when Brazilian Jonas gave them a 24th minute lead which was never challenged by the English Premier League side.
It gave the Spanish side a 2-0 aggregate score and put them into a last 16 clash with PSV Eindhoven, who should prove formidable opponents after a 4-1 hammering of Trabzonspor for a 6-2 aggregate over the Turks.
Former champions AtleticMadrid made it three Spanish clubs into the last 16 after they beat Lazio 1-0 at the Vincente Calderon to complete a 4-1 aggregate win.
Diego Godin netted the all-important goal for the Spaniards three minutes into the second half.
Belgian interest in the competition meanwhile now lies with Standard Liege, who also had the away goals rule to thank for their qualification after a scoreless draw at home against Wisla Krakow, having drawn 1-1 in Poland last week.
Club Brugge were sent packing after a 1-0 home defeat to Hanover gave the Bundesliga side a 3-1 victory over the two legs.
Udinese turned on the firepower to escape potential disaster in Greece, the Italians scoring two first-half goals and adding a second after the break for a 3-0 away win against PAOK Salonika.