Manchester United ended up strolling through to the Europa League final by putting another four goals past Athletic Club.
This followed the 3-0 first leg victory to hand Manchester United an utterly convincing 7-1 aggregate win over the La Liga side.
It was a remarkable final half hour for Ruben Amorim’s side, with four goals turning the atmosphere inside Old Trafford from nervy to a celebration for the final moments.
Two brilliant goals from Mason Mount, along with goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro, saw United take their goals scored tally to 35 in the Europa League inside 14 games.
In his impressive 28-minute cameo, Mount entered the United history books next to David Beckham, becoming the first Red Devils player to score two as a substitute in a European knockout, following in the footsteps of a previous number seven shirt wearer.
Following the game, Mount’s performance was lauded as being a ‘different class’ on MUTV, and this performance is something United will have been waiting for the £55m star to showcase since July 2023.
Photo by Carl Recine – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesHow Manchester United are feeling about Mason Mount after Europa League brace
It was far and away the best night of Mount’s career at United, hopefully the first of many. Now, United in Focus has spoken with Graeme Bailey about the 26-year-old and how the club is currently viewing him.
“Man United remain firmly behind Mason Mount, the injuries have been hugely unfortunate”, Graeme explains to United in Focus.
“But Ruben Amorim believes in the player, he thinks his versatility could be a huge plus point to the team going forward.
“The next 12-months will be key for Mount, he has 12-months to save his United career – there can’t be a repeat of what we have seen and am told the player realises that.
“In terms of his future – as said, he is set to stay at United, although we know plenty of people like Mount, for instance, Graham Potter would love him, but that isn’t happening this summer.
“And I know that Mount believes in Amorim, a good season for United, and he could still have hope of an England World Cup place.”
Mason Mount’s redemption arc is already underway at Manchester United
Given his gigantic wages and injury problems, Mount would be a contender to be sold this summer if a buyer were found; however, in an ideal world, Amorim would want the number seven starting every week.
It is clear after the semi-final that if Mount can stay fit he will be a star for Amorim’s United over the next few years with an utterly perfect performance as shown by SofaScore.
An infographic created by SofaScore.
Mount was United’s man of the match, with Amorim lauding him with praise following the game, re-emphasising that he is ‘perfect’ for the system.
His future at Old Trafford is firmly in his own hands. If Mount performs and stays fit, then that number seven shirt will become his own and he could still etch his name alongside the greats who have worn it.
Mount’s redemption arc is underway with three goals in two games, now he just needs to keep it up until the summer.