When night falls, the Reale Arena takes on a bluish hue that is reminiscent of the moonlight that hangs above it. Sixty-five years ago, seven of the Busby Babes who were killed in the Munich snow 13 months later were on a British European Airways flight to the neighboring city of Bilbao.
The first time Manchester United traveled to Spain, they played in the Basque Country and suffered a chaotic loss 5-3 in the first leg of the European Cup quarter-final. The club that is famous for making miraculous recoveries did it again in Manchester, but this time they won at Maine Road instead of Old Trafford. The score was 3-0 in favor of United.
Should United finally find success in Basque country, it would hardly be considered one of their more memorable comebacks on the continent even if they did so. Even though it is only the Europa League, it is already guaranteed that they will advance to the knockout stage.
The possibility of a glamorous tie in an otherwise uninteresting competition is appealing to the thousands of United fans who have flocked to San Sebastian in hopes of witnessing their team finish in second place in Group E. The eight teams that finished in second place will find out their next opponent on Monday. It could be Barcelona, Ajax, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg, or Shakhtar Donetsk.
Avoiding a trip in February and having two free midweeks during that month appeals to Erik ten Hag, especially considering that there are still two Premier League games that have been postponed and have not been rescheduled. Ten Hag began his response with his go-to adverb, which was "clear."
Erik Ten Hag has stated that he will "deal" with Cristiano Ronaldo tomorrow, after the Portuguese forward left the field before the conclusion of United's 2-0 victory over Spurs and entered the tunnel.
It is imperative that we are successful in achieving that goal tomorrow night. The difference between our two goals is that we are aware of what needs to be done. But in order to bring home a trophy, you need to come out on top in every game, and we can't lose to any of the other teams.
"It is obvious that you will be competing against a formidable adversary (if you finish in second place), but we enjoy taking on difficult tasks. If you want to take home the trophy, you have to come out on top in every category.
United must win by a margin of two goals in order to advance. This is a feat that they have only accomplished three times in Spain, with two of those victories coming in the previous calendar year against Granada in the Europa League and Villarreal in the Champions League group stage. The 3-3 draws in Madrid and Barcelona, which took place 30 years apart, are more romantic for fans of United.
When deciding who would sit on either side of Ten Hag in the plush press conference room on Wednesday evening, Casemiro was the obvious choice. David de Gea has stated that he will not discuss his exclusion from the Spain squad (which would have been an unavoidable topic had he been present), and Cristiano Ronaldo has not participated in any activities related to the media since January.
The Brazilian took on Sociedad 14 times while playing for Real Madrid and emerged victorious 10 times while suffering only two defeats. Ronaldo could have shown off his own personal pillaging against Los Txuri-Urdin by accepting the invitation to do so, which would have included nine games and 15 goals.
An audience with Casemiro is a fleeting opportunity to witness the regard players and staff have for him, which is important in this day and age when United do not allow new recruits the privilege of a press conference. His voice is only Spanish, but it is very deep, and it immediately grabs one's attention.
As soon as Casemiro was allowed past the barriers at Carrington, he was immediately accorded the highest level of respect by everyone there. He has quietly asserted his leadership, but at Chelsea a month ago, his voice could be heard resounding throughout the celebration.
United have not suffered a loss in any of their last eight matches, and Casemiro has started each one of those matches. His recall was long overdue, but it finally happened in Cyprus five weeks ago.
Casemiro was the midfielder that Manchester United desired most during the summer in which they chased Frenkie de Jong down a garden path only to be cornered by the intimidating Madame Rabiot. During this time, United also pursued Frenkie de Jong.
After the Champions League final in May, United attempted to make contact with Casemiro's camp. They were under the impression that the player's final tango with Madrid was also his last hurrah with the club. A little under three months later, Casemiro kissed the cheek of Roy Keane, who had been looking up to him with admiration.
Casemiro took on the appearance of a general while he was getting the battle plan because he was dressed in a camouflage club tracksuit and listening intently to the translation in his earpiece. In the chapter Ten Hag, Casemiro sees a reflection of himself.
"I believe that knowing or, after being in football for quite some time, despite the fact that I am only 30, the obsession for winning, his obsession for winning is what surprised me the most," Casemiro admitted. "I believe that knowing or, after being in football for quite some time, after being in football for quite a while, despite the fact that I am only 30,"
"He possesses many strengths, we are all aware that it is a process, and we are growing together; however, his obsession for teaching us and leaving everything perfect to the millimetre, as well as his obsession for winning, is something that I have seen from only a select few managers. "
"I think we can see we are working hard, we are growing. It's possible that I'll be able to bring a few things onto the field with me, but it's impossible for me to alter the dynamic for a single player.
"The most important thing is that we are growing, and that we are becoming a very solid team," the coach said. "The key is the team, the manager, and everybody."
Ten Hag said, "He told me when we had our first talk that he needs a new challenge because with Real Madrid he won everything." "He told me he needs a new challenge because with Real Madrid he won everything." He played an important role for Real Madrid. Still, they don't want him to leave, but he has the mindset that "I have to go to another club, to another league to prove myself, and that demonstrates his hunger, which I really like."
As Ten Hag described Casemiro's goals, the Brazilian nodded his head in agreement; these were two men who were driven from night to day.