Manchester United are into the Europa League final after beating Athletic Club 4-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate.
Despite Manchester United entering Old Trafford with a comfortable 3-0 lead, Athletic Club came to play on Thursday night and took an early lead with a brilliant strike from outside the box.
Ruben Amorim’s side had a slow start in the game with nerves likely playing a part in the struggles early on, which led to a 1-0 deficit at half-time.
The struggles continued in the second half, with Athletic Club dominating possession and United stuck defending wave after wave of Bilbao attacks.
This was all forgotten when Mason Mount equalised with an excellent goal, and then soon after, Casemiro made it 2-1 to send Old Trafford crazy and United without a doubt into the final.
Rasmus Hojlund added a third for good measure, and then Mount got his second from range, and now it is official, United are heading to the Europa League final.
Mason Mount finally arrives as a Manchester United player
It was a tough night for United, right up until Amorim made the triple substitution and the introduction of Mount, which ended up proving key on the night, as he put the game beyond reach for Amorim’s side.
It was a brilliant goal by Mount, as he turned on the ball and curled it into the far post, beyond the Bilbao goalkeeper to put United into the final. Mount got another in the dying moments from distance, for what Robbie Savage has labelled his best ever performance.
This was Mount’s third goal in two games as he is finally beginning to fill the No.7 shirt he was awarded by Erik ten Hag in 2023. Now, he could be in line to start in the Europa League final based on current form.
Casemiro is making himself tough to sell for Manchester United
There was a time, mere months ago, that Casemiro was looking beyond likely to be on the exit list this summer as he had no place in Amorim’s team.
However, in the Europa League final journey, the Brazilian has been absolutely pivotal and has been immense in every single stage, rounded out by his goal, making it 2-1 on the night against Bilbao.
If he is equally as impressive in the final, it could be impossible for Ineos to sell him this summer given his importance.
Alejandro Garnacho’s finishing continues to be his biggest weakness
The tie could have been put to bed in the first half if Alejandro Garnacho had converted the two big chances he scuppered in the opening 45 minutes from one-on-one positions.
This is an issue that the No.17 has struggled with all season long, but to do it in a semi-final makes it all the more noticeable.
Garnacho highlighted that he is working on finishing in training, but there really needs to be improvement now, especially from such incredible chances in front of goal.
It could have been costly against Athletic Club and he is lucky that it didn’t lead to United getting knocked out.
Leny Yoro looks like a star for Manchester United
It was an all-around nervy night defensively for United as Bilbao knocked on the door for the opening 70 minutes, and it was Leny Yoro who was the star at the back for United.
Yoro was the strongest defender at the back, and alongside Harry Maguire, it was the Frenchman who was inspiring the most confidence.
That £51m spent on the generational talent last season now looks like an impeccable piece of business by Ineos. There is no telling how good he can be.
Manchester United are heading to Bilbao
It wasn’t pretty, but it ended up very comfortable with United beating Bilbao 6-1 on aggregate and in doing so secured a place in the final in Bilbao in 13 days time.
It will see United face Tottenham, who have knocked out Bodo/Glimt to reach the final.
This all-English clash promises to be a blockbuster event, and now all United eyes will be cast toward the 21st of May.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/iHuvh3F