Manchester United are in the final of the Europa League final after a 4-1 win over the Athletic Club completed a 7-1 overall victory.
The goal of the first half of Mikel Jaureguizar had given him athletic hope, but Mason Mount came out of the bench to solve United’s nerves ahead of Casemiro, Rasmus Hoylund and a second from over 40 yards from Mount won a beautiful victory in Old Trafford.
The result creates a comprehensive finale in Bilbao on May 21 after Tottenham’s victory over Bodo/Gllimt in the next semifinal. A difficult season for both Premier League clubs will end with one of them providing a champions league next season.
As the man turned around the night around
Much of the work was done in Bilbao, United providing that seemingly unavailable lead with three goals. With brothers Williams – Nico and Inaki – both unavailable for this return to Manchester, the feeling was that athletics lacked the necessary power of fire.
But this is united. As they found a lot of space after the beginning, they were useless. Patrick Dorgu and Alejandro Garnacho were the main culprits and Pala Baske punished them when Mikel Jaureguizar bowed from long distance to pull a back.
Harry Maguire lost its possession very easily, while Andre Onana took its hands on the blow, but could not keep it out. She encouraged the vocal fans to believe that an impossible comeback was on and Garnacho lacked one-in-one did nothing to distribute the notion.
The athletic was dreaming well in the second half, but Ruben Amorim’s replacements changed the game. Amad Diallo provided the offensive impulse, but it was the end of Mount’s quality that ended the hopes of Ernesto Valverde’s side, returning and relaxing in the distant corner.
Caemiro’s Looping Header returned that night before another great run Amad to put a goal on a hoyal plate. Mount had the last word, ending beautifully from distance with his left -weaker left foot after a weak cleaning from the athletic goalkeeper.
She closed a special night at Old Trafford, another for them in this competition. Even in these troubled times for United, trophies have continued to come. Last season, it was the Armed Cup. Now, they are just a game away from European silver in Bilbao.
Match player: Mason Mount
Mount had never scored for United at Old Trafford before the game, his only previous goals for the club coming to Brentford. These two were special, the first because of its importance at the moment and the second enough to light every evening.
“It has been difficult with the injuries. But I have continued and it has been paid,” Mount said Tnt sports.
“We knew it would be difficult at the beginning of the game. Taking this goal to make it 1-1 calmed us down. It was too long (as I had a feeling like this). I just tried to come and influence the game.
“The crowd has been unbelievable. For me personally, my first goals in Old Trafford. Special night, one for which I waited a long time. We want to go to Bilbao and end strong now.”
The man UTD offensive Rasmus hoylund Talking about his teammate:
“I am very pleased about Mason Mount, he is one of my very good friends in this team. He’s a good guy, always working very much.
“He has been taking a lot of stick because there were a lot of injuries, but he has been positive and trying to adapt all the time.
“He has only had one goal. That would be to return to the field. He did what he did today, we knew he had the quality. It was for the time only.”
Amorim greets the impact of subs
“Amad gave us this spark that you need to change games,” Amorim Tnt sports.
“Mason Mount, I’m very happy for him. He’s such a player. He works really a lot. He has quality.
“Sometimes you are on the bench, but you change the game.
“Hard to describe what it’s like to be a manager in this kind of club. You want to give something to fans because we have been so disappointing in the Premier League this season.
“More important to give something to fans than to add something (to my CV) as a winner.”
Asked at the press conference for the final against Tottenham, Amorim said:
“The position of the coaches is quite similar. The context is different, but we are fighting, both of us. So I don’t know what will happen. That’s the good thing and the bad thing with this team, never know.”
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Ange Postecoglou gave a spikey answer to interrogate about Manchester United
Valverde: Walk to the Park at the end
“Games last 90 minutes,” said Valverde athletics coach. “You have to be in it for 90 minutes, especially against teams that will not allow you. It was a wide result.
“We felt as if we had a chance when it was 1-0, it was good to advance. They scored a goal at a key time, but we were not so bad. It was almost like a walk in the park for them in the end. Remove those last minutes, it was much more.”
When is the Europa League final?
Tottenham hosts Manchester United in the Europa League final.
It takes place at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on Wednesday 21 May; Starting 8:00.
