Manchester United have reached the Europa League after another convincing win over Athletic Club following an attempted comeback, with the Red Devils winning the tie 7-1 on aggregate after a 3-1 win on the night.
Manchester United conceded a goal after the half-hour mark to send nerves throughout the stadium, despite an amazing pre-match build-up thanks to the atmosphere. That was short-lived when Andre Onana was beaten by an ambitious Mikel Jauregizar effort.
Ruben Amorim’s side had made life difficult for themselves from the start by being too passive in their approach, lacking the aggression required to make a real difference in the final third.
However, that changed in the second half, after several changes helped United turn the second leg on its head after trailing for much of the first half 1-0.
Mason Mount came off the bench to continue a remarkable bounce-back from injury with two goals, in what was his best 20 minutes in a United shirt. He came on and impacted a night game by calming things down and scoring a brace.
Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund also got on the scoresheet to complete what was an incredible night at Old Trafford.
Athletic Club knew the tie was settled when they conceded Mount’s first goal to level the scoring on the night. They were unable to inflict many more nervy moments for Amorim’s side, who remain the only team unbeaten in this season’s Europa League after qualifying for the Champions League.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesWinners
Starting with the winners…
Mason Mount
Continuing his return from injury, Mason Mount came off the bench to pull off a wonderful Cruyff turn to bring Athletic Club back to reality, equalising the scoring on the night to make it 1-1.
Mount linked up with Leny Yoro before spinning in the box to curl one home, and it was a crucial goal to settle the nerves for United.
It was his first goal in a United kit at Old Trafford, but he didn’t stop there.
The former Chelsea midfielder went on to score another magnificent goal from long range, catching the Athletic Club goalkeeper off his line to make it 4-1.
The England international has now scored three goals in two games for United, but his second was reminiscent of Federico Macheda’s late winner against Aston Villa in 2009, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side went on to win the Premier League.
Tonight’s brace should give Mount a massive boost moving forward.
Casemiro
A winner from Casemiro secured United’s place in the Europa League final and he pointed to the badge to show his glee at the goal, which went in off his shoulder following Bruno Fernandes’ assist.
Casemiro’s overall performance was far from great, but his goal was enough to cement United’s place in the final, and it was telling when Ruben Amorim gave him a giant hug following his substitution.
Rasmus Hojlund
There were smiles everywhere as Rasmus Hojlund put the ball in the back of the net to completely ease the mood in the stadium.
Amad sent in a wonderful cross to assist the Denmark international before they enjoyed their celebrations in front of the Stretford End.
Hojlund deserved his goal after impressing with his link-up play throughout the game.
Ruben Amorim
It was a nervy night for everyone at Old Trafford, but Amorim rode out the storm impressively.
United’s head coach made a clever substitution to kill Athletic Club’s momentum in the second half. Luke Shaw settled things at the back, Mount’s addition meant United could string passes together, and Amad made United more of a threat in the final third.
Amorim will come away from the Europa League semi-finals with some credit in the bank. Now, he must do it again, in the final.
LosersHarry Maguire
A wayward pass from Harry Maguire in the 31st minute proved costly as Jauregizar beat Onana with a shot from distance. It made the game more nervous than it needed to be, and his performance may raise doubts over him starting the final in two weeks.
One performance shouldn’t overshadow an impressive European campaign for Maguire, but it could raise hope for other defenders who missed out.
It remains to be seen if Matthijs de Ligt will be passed fit for the final after sustaining a fresh blow in United’s 4-3 defeat to Brentford.