MAN UTD 4-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO (7-1): Mason Mount’s stunning performance off the bench helped Manchester United book their place in the Europa League final against Tottenham
Manchester United will face Tottenham in an all-English Europa League final after staving off a comeback from Athletic Bilbao. The Red Devils went into this semi-final second leg with a command 3-0 lead, having romped to victory in Spain last Thursday.
Ruben Amorim’s side were firm favourites to advance but when Harry Maguire played a sloppy pass which was cut out by Bilbao and punished in style by Mikel Jauregizar, United looked far less confident. Their nerves were on show at the start of the second half and it took a triple change from Amorim to turn the tide.
One of those substitutes, Mason Mount, scored the crucial goal to restore the Red Devils’ three-goal lead on aggregate, the best moment of his United career to date. Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund then got in on the act with a goal each, as their team continued their unbeaten run in Europe and sealed a place in the final against Spurs.
But there was still time for the best goal of the night Mount scored from distance to make it 7-1 on aggregate.
Here are six talking points from Old Trafford.
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1. Cauldron Old Trafford
A team on the verge of a European final and a team desperate for a comeback was always going to have the makings of a cracking atmosphere at kick-off. Manchester United allowed fans to display another tifo like ahead of last month’s quarter-final second leg at home to Lyon while fireworks were set off to engulf the stadium in smoke.
With banners unfurled in the Stretford End, Old Trafford looked a picture – and it about the most interesting thing we got until Patrick Dorgu went down in the penalty area after 23 minutes. Dorgu went tumbling over after contact from Andoni Gorosabel and a VAR check took place, but the referee wasn’t instructed to review his decision of no penalty.
2. Maguire’s mistake paves way for stunner
The hero of that Lyon game, Harry Maguire played the role of villain as Bilbao took the lead on the night and gave themselves hope. His sloppy pass was too far in front of Leny Yoro and after Alvaro Djalo’s initial shot was blocked, Mikel Jauregizar picked up the ball from more than 20 yards out and unleashed a superb strike which nestled in the top right-hand corner.
Jauregizar’s goal sent the away end wild, as they took the first step towards a comeback just after half-hour mark. The nerves immediately set in for United fans, who went through nearly every possible the last time they were here on a European night.
3. Garnacho’s gilt-edged
What would’ve settled the nerves was a goal and United had plenty of openings in the first half. The best fell to Alejandro Garnacho on the brink of half-time, as Dorgu slid him through on goal and Old Trafford held its breath.
Left of the ‘keeper? Right? Through his legs? What would Garnacho do? Instead he chose the option no one was anticipating. The United winger tried to dink the ball over Julen Agirrezabala and got it horribly wrong, as the Bilbao goalkeeper was able to watch it drift wide.
Shades of Danny Welbeck against Bayern Munich in 2014. Would the Red Devils suffer the same outcome?
4. Amorim sees enough
There’s no clearer sign of a game going wrong than an angry manager making a triple change. After a woeful start to the second half, Ruben Amorim turned to his substitutes and brought on Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Amad.
The Red Devils boss was visibly unhappy with how his team were failing to keep the ball, as Bilbao grew in confidence with sustained attacks. Amorim’s men had ceded control and needed to turn the tide quickly, as the visitors also made three changes – in much more positive fashion – at the same time.
5. Macheda-esque Mount makes the difference
After Garnacho emulated Welbeck, Mount found a better finish to copy. Amorim’s changes had reinvigorated United and one of them proved vital.
Mount, who’s United career has had far more lows than highs, swivelled on the ball inside the penalty area and curled the ball with his right foot past the sprawling Agirrezabala. Robbie Savage likened it to Federico Macheda’s finish against Aston Villa in 2009, another goal with huge importance.
United weren’t done there, though, as Casemiro’s glancing finish and a tap-in from Rasmus Hojlund – assisted by another sub, Amad 0 – sealed the win in style. Mount wasn’t finished, though, as he intercepted a clearance from Agirrezabala and finished from long range.
Will Manchester United win the Europa League final? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
6. Tottenham await
An all-English affair will take place in Bilbao, coincidentally, on May 21. Tottenham had no concerns about a concerns about a comeback in Norway as they beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 on the night to seal a 5-1 aggregate win.
United have already lost three times to Spurs this season, so they’ll need to come up with something different to beat Ange Postecoglou’s side. It should be a tasty full English.
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