Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, and Casemiro helped Manchester United secure a spot in the Europa League final with fine second-half goals against Athletic Bilbao setting Old Trafford alight after a staid start for the hosts on Thursday evening.
Coming into the second-leg semi-final tie on the heels of a 3-0 victory at the San Mames – where the final will be held – Ruben Amorim’s men looked curiously tentative as the visitors brought the fight to them.
It took just over half-an-hour for Mikel Jaureguizar to find the back of the net with a pearler into the top corner, giving the travelling side just two more goals to make up with time to spare.
However, after shuffling the pack – and introducing Mount as a substitute after the break – Amorim will now prepare to face Premier League rivals Tottenham in his first European final with the Red Devils.
But who shone, and who stuttered on home soil?
Here, Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT runs the rule over the Man United side that will challenge for silverware on May 21.
Mason Mount bagged a brace in a blistering return to form of old in front of a rapt home crowd
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes steered his side to an emphatic European win
The Red Devils will now face off with Premier League rivals Tottenham in the final in Bilbao
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1)
Andre Onana – 5
Was wise not to run his mouth before this tie after the fiasco that was the build-up to facing Lyon. Needed to do better with the opening goal having got fingertips on it but it was not the mistake some were quick to make out.
Victor Lindelof – 5
Looked shaky from the off and never managed to settle. He is approaching the final few weeks as a Manchester United player but did little here to suggest he should feature in the final in Bilbao.
Harry Maguire – 4.5
Uncharacteristically sloppy from the man United have to thank for making it to the semi-finals after his rescue act against Lyon here in the quarters. Played a blind pass to Leny Yoro that was never on and moments later Athletic Club were ahead.
Leny Yoro – 7
Despite being the least experienced in the back three it was he who looked to be the most composed and in control. One of Yoro’s most redeeming qualities is that he isn’t ruffled playing out from the back when put under pressure. Didn’t treat the ball like a hot potato – and Ruben Amorim needs more players like that.
Andre Onana needed to better with Athletic Bilbao’s opening goal in the first-half of the tie
Harry Maguire was in rip-roaring form in the first-leg of the tie but struggle more on home soil
Leny Yoro was a necessary cool head for Ruben Amorim’s side on an initially challenging night
Noussair Mazraoui – 5.5
Was rash soon after he was booked for an elbow. Had home fans holding their breath with every mistimed challenge thereafter and he was fortunate not to be hooked at half-time. Made some key interceptions during a ropey start to the second half but did look a red card waiting to happen. Booked.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Never got into the game and as Athletic Club suffocated United’s midfield his mistakes began piling up. Was no surprise at all to see his number put up when Amorim first went to his bench to change the game.
Casemiro – 6.5
A cooler head when those around him appeared ready to boil over and he calmed any last remaining nerves when he made it 2-1 on the night late on. Casemiro deserves a boat load of credit for his renaissance in recent months under Ruben Amorim. Booked.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
Deserved far better when his through ball sent Alejandro Garnacho through on goal one versus one. But overall his decision making was perplexing and he was the reason many of their promising moves down the left broke down.
Casemiro scored again against the Spanish side and has looked increasingly confident under Amorim of late
Alejandro Garnacho was a willing runner but struggled with finishing and squandered chances
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Did look to make things happen but the general team’s malaise on the night even got to their talisman as mistakes soon crept into his game. Made some incisive through balls that deserved better on the end of them and never gave up trying to find a goal – which led to his assist for Casemiro.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Has taken plenty of unnecessary criticism here but the ire directed towards him after he fluffed a chip when through one on one on the stroke of half-time was justified. Is always a willing runner but this was a game crying out for him to take by the scruff of the neck and he never did.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5.5
His indecision in front of goal cost United glorious opportunities at 0-0 and as this game wore on, as it so often does, most balls bounced off him and never stuck. Got himself a tap in late on after great work by Amad but he badly needs strikers to arrive this summer to ease the goalscoring burden.
Manager: Ruben Amorim – 7
Cut a frustrated figure all evening and it was hard not to agree with his general sentiments being fired towards his assistants until Mason Mount allowed everyone to relax a bit. Deserves credit for two of his substitutes combining in Amad and Mount for the equalising goal.
Mount has struggled with injury since his vaunted move from Chelsea but finally looked the player of old
Amorim will manage the biggest European final of his career when he returns to San Mames
Substitutes:
Mason Mount (for Manuel Ugarte, 62) – 8.5
His finest moment in a Manchester United shirt. He’s had to listen to all the criticism that has come his way in a stop-start career since leaving Chelsea. Came off the bench to be Amorim and United’s saviour to fire them to the final.
Luke Shaw (for Noussair Mazraoui, 62) – 6.5
Found life tough at Brentford but he slotted in to provide some much needed experience in a frantic atmosphere. His defensive discipline allowed Yoro to become even bolder driving through the lines as the game stretched.
Amad Diallo (for Alejandro Garnacho, 63) – 8
Head and shoulders the best player on the pitch once he came on and the switch that swung the game in United’s favour. This may be a really poor United side but they are so much better with him in it. Amad has all the potential to be a superstar in Bilbao when United face Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
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Man United 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (7-1 agg): Red Devils rubber stamp place in the Europa League final
Harry Amass (for Victor Lindelof, 81) – 6
It shows just how much faith Amorim has in him that the teenager was thrown into the battle with the game swinging from one side to the other late on. The fact he now looks so composed out there suggests talk of a loan move next season looks less and less likely.
Kobbie Mainoo (for Casemiro, 81) – 6
This felt a substitution as much to protect a tiring Casemiro as it was to allow him the standing ovation many were keen to give him. Neat and tidy from Mainoo to help see this game over the line.
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala 5; Gorosabel 6 (De Marcos 61, 5), Yeray 6, Núñez 6.5, Berchiche 6; Galarreta 7 (Prados 61, 6), Jaureguizar 7; Djaló 6.5 (Olabarrieta 62, 6.5), Unai Gomez 6 (Guruzeta 67, 6), Berenguer 7; Sannadi 6
Manager: Ernesto Valverde 6
