MANCHESTER — Mason Mount finally cast aside 20 months of injury frustration with a spectacular second-half brace, sealing Manchester United’s place in an all-English Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur after a dramatic night at Old Trafford.
Despite holding a commanding three-goal lead from the first leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, Amorim’s side made hard work of the return fixture, which was filled with anxiety and uncharacteristic errors.
The Spanish visitors dominated long spells of the game and threatened to rewrite the European record books by becoming the first team to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit away from home in UEFA competition history.
But Mount, who has struggled with a succession of injuries since his £55 million switch from Chelsea in 2023, provided the spark United so desperately needed.
With the Red Devils under pressure and trailing 1-0 on the night to Mikel Jauregizar’s stunning 30-yard strike, Mount’s introduction midway through the second half proved decisive.
The 25-year-old midfielder had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes when he latched onto a short pass from Leny Yoro inside the box, turned sharply, and rifled a precise shot into the far corner — a goal that not only halted Bilbao’s momentum but also ignited the Old Trafford faithful.
It was Mount’s third goal for the club, but undoubtedly his most crucial. With the aggregate lead now extended, United regained their composure. Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund soon added to the tally, steering the hosts toward victory.
Then came the moment of the night — Mount, capitalizing on a loose ball nearly 45 yards from goal, lofted a sublime shot over Bilbao’s stranded goalkeeper into an empty net.
The strike was a poetic end to a long and frustrating chapter for Mount and a reminder of the talent United had invested in nearly two seasons ago.
“It’s been tough, I won’t lie,” Mount said after the match. “But nights like this make it all worth it. I’ve worked so hard to get back, and to help the team in a moment like this is really special.”
Though the final scoreline did not fully reflect the quality Athletic Bilbao brought to the tie, particularly in the first half, it was United who marched on to the final in Bilbao on May 21, where they will face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in what promises to be a captivating encounter between two of England’s most unpredictable sides this season.
For United, the final represents a chance to salvage what has been an inconsistent campaign. For Mount, it could mark the beginning of a redemptive run after months of frustration and setbacks.
As the full-time whistle blew, the tension turned to celebration at Old Trafford. United remain unbeaten in this year’s competition — and with Mason Mount back in form, they may have found the key to European glory.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
