Man United are going back to Bilbao
Manchester United 4 - 1 Athletic Club (Manchester United won 7-1 on aggregate)
Mason Mount brought an end to a frustrating 20-month spell with a superb second-half brace as Manchester United set up an all-English Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.
Author - Olivia T
Stadium - Old Trafford
The former Chelsea midfielder delivered at just the right moment. Hampered by a succession of injuries since his £55m move from Stamford Bridge in 2023, Mount had made only 10 Premier League starts for United prior to Thursday night. He had barely been on the pitch for 10 minutes when he collected Leny Yoro’s pass inside the area and finished with composure.
It was only his third goal for United, but unquestionably his most significant. The strike extinguished any remaining concerns that Athletic Club might become the first side in 134 attempts to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit away from home in European competition.
READ MORE: Europa League news and stories
There was still more to come from Mount. With United already ahead through Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund, he seized on a loose ball 45 yards from goal and lofted a sublime effort into an unguarded net.
It was a fitting end to a memorable night at Old Trafford, one that preserved United’s unbeaten run in the competition.
The scoreline was perhaps slightly harsh on the Spanish side, who had dominated for large periods and led at the break courtesy of a stunning 30-yard strike from Mikel Jauregizar.
But for the home supporters, that mattered little at full-time. United now have a chance to rescue their season against fellow Premier League underachievers Tottenham in what promises to be a compelling final.
One chance to save their season
Manchester United will head to Bilbao for their ninth European final, and in the short term, it may be one of their most pivotal yet.
Victory over Tottenham (a team that has already beaten them three times this season) would secure a return to the Champions League and bring in an estimated £100m. That financial boost alone would offer some redemption for what has been, outside of Europe, a deeply underwhelming campaign.
Defeat, on the other hand, would serve as a stark reminder of just how far United have fallen. It would also leave the club with little to show for a season marked by inconsistency and frustration.
What remains curious is how, in flashes, this United side still appears capable. Mason Mount’s brace against Athletic Club underlined his quality when fit. Casemiro, too, has begun to resemble the player who initially impressed following his arrival from Real Madrid in 2022, after United’s prolonged and ultimately fruitless pursuit of Frenkie de Jong..
