Manchester United produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Athletic Club 4-1 in the Europa League and complete an emphatic 7-1 aggregate semifinal victory, setting up a mouthwatering showpiece against Tottenham. Fireworks crackled and red smoke filled an expectant Old Trafford on Thursday following an impressive 3-0 win against 10-man Athletic in northern Spain last week.
However, the air of excitement was tinged by the knowledge that Ruben Amorim’s United had shown a startling ability to implode during a horrendous Premier League season. Perhaps, little to anyone’s surprise, Amorim’s United, much like most of the club’s teams that preceded him, had to do it the hard way. Trailing with 18 minutes to play, the substitutes were thrown on – including Mason Mount, who produced two brilliant goals to illuminate the Theatre of Dreams and turn the game on the night.
Amorim reverted to the team that started in the first leg, making eight changes following Sunday’s 4-3 defeat against Brentford. Dani Vivian was suspended after his red card last week, and coach Ernesto Valverde was also hamstrung by the absence of brothers Nico and Inaki Williams, as well as top-scorer Oihan Sancet. Mikel Jauregizar silenced the home fans and gave the visitors hope on the night with a stunning strike in the 31st minute.
For long periods of the match, the visitors looked more dangerous, and the game needed substitute Mount to settle the home supporters’ nerves with his 72nd-minute strike. The match totally changed complexion as Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Mount again scored. It means United have kept alive their hopes of eking something out of a terrible season. Winning Europe’s second-tier club trophy crucially guarantees a place in the Champions League, which would boost United’s chances of attracting top talent as Amorim attempts a monumental rebuild.
United were heavy favorites to complete the job on home turf, but injury-hit Athletic nursed a grievance after defender Vivian was sent off in Spain. They enjoyed the bulk of the early possession but struggled to fashion clear-cut chances and looked nervous when the visitors attacked. Athletic midfielder Alex Berenguer had a good early opportunity after the home side failed to clear, but his curling shot sailed over the bar as he aimed for the top corner. The midfielder created another chance after a surging run midway through the half, but fired wide of Andre Onana’s post from just outside the area.
But the visitors broke the deadlock in sensational style after half an hour to give themselves hope when Jauregizar picked his spot from outside the box and curled past Onana. The goal came after some sloppy work from United’s defense. Harry Maguire played a ball across the box and Alvaro Djalo smashed a shot against Leny Yoro. The ball fell to Jauregizar, who could not have hit the ball more sweetly.
United struggled for attacking rhythm but should have been level shortly before half-time. The stadium held its breath as Alejandro Garnacho was put through by the lively Patrick Dorgu, but his attempted dink over the goalkeeper went wide. United offered little going forward in the early stages of the second half as Athletic made the running, forcing United to hack clear on multiple occasions.
Both teams made a triple change just after the hour mark. Shortly afterwards, Unai Gomez headed the ball across the goal and it bounced just wide of the post. Injury-hit Mount has been a peripheral figure in his two seasons at Old Trafford, but produced a fine finish, swiveling and curling the ball into the far corner for his first. Casemiro scored a second with his head from a Bruno Fernandes cross as United’s earlier nerves were completely forgotten.
Hojlund poked home in the 85th minute before Mount scored an outrageous second from near the halfway line after Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala came out of his box and made a poor clearance. United will face Tottenham in the final in Bilbao on May 21. Mount’s performance was particularly sweet for him, considering the injury setbacks he has faced since his big-money move from Chelsea to United in July 2023. Amorim praised Mount, stating, "If you look at the bench, that is the best thing. That is the best feeling as a coach when we look at the other guys on the bench, and they are so happy for Mason Mount because everybody in that dressing room sees Mason Mount doing everything he can to be available. He’s a really good player and you can see both goals are really, really good goals."
Ruben Amorim expressed his thoughts on the final against Tottenham, noting that both teams are struggling in the Premier League but have a chance to save their seasons with silverware and Champions League qualification. He acknowledged that Tottenham has beaten United three times this season, but he remains hopeful about their chances in the final, stating, "Every game has its history. So, we lost the three last games, we can win this one."
Amorim concluded, "It was a good result. I think if you look at both games it was so much tougher than if you look just to the result. We have so many weaknesses, but we are fighting and we managed to pass through. I think we deserve, if you look at two games, to be in the final." With the stage set for an intense showdown in Bilbao, Manchester United will look to turn their fortunes around against a familiar foe in Tottenham Hotspur.
