MAN UTD 4, ATHLETIC BILBAO 1
(United won 7-1 on aggregate)
Not for the first time in their Europa League campaign, Manchester United didn’t do things the easy way on the night they booked their place in the final.
Three goals ahead from the first leg in Spain, the Reds looked home and dry for the Old Trafford return against Athletic Bilbao.
For 70 minutes, United were second best and trailed to a first-half goal from Mikel Jaurguizar and were nervously clinging on.
Then in another sensational finish – just like they did against Olympique Lyonnais – United hit four late goals to ultimately win with ease.
There were two goals from substitute Mason Mount – the second from almost half way – and one apiece from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund.
And while United cannot buy a win in the Premier League, it has been an altogether different story in Europe where they are unbeaten in 14 games – nine wins and five draws.
United’s substitutes made a huge impact in helping transform United’s fortunes.
Nount, whose two season with United have been plagued by injury, said: “It was too long [waiting for a night like that]. I carried on going, working hard in training every day and tried to stay positive and when I had an opportunity to try to make an impact.
“Today it paid off and I came on and affected the game. It was a tight game when I came on, I just tried to calm it down.
“When I saw him [the goalkeeper] come out I had it in my head if it comes to me, ‘first touch and shoot’. I didn’t want it to come on my left foot and then I was just trying to get it on target, same with the first goal, create the turn and try to get it in the net.
“The crowd has been unbelievable. They have stuck with us. For me, these were my first goals at Old Trafford, a night I’ve been waiting a long time for. To go back to Bilbao is a special moment and we want to finish strongly.”
Amorim was delighted to have delivered a final for the club seven months after becoming head coach.
He said: “It’s the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season. I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t do it, it means nothing, but we’re happy to be there so let’s see.
“I know I should be a better manager, and the team should be better at this moment but we’re trying. We did quite well in Europe, but we are struggling in the Premier League.”
On Mount, Amorim added: “I’m so happy for him. He is such a player. He works really hard, he has quality. I really like Kobbie Mainoo, just 10 minutes but everything he did was really good and sometimes you’re on the bench and can change the game.
“When you see that kind of guy like Mason working hard every day, eating well, having ice baths, when you have this kind of player you just want to help him. He is perfect for this position as he can be a midfielder but also runs like a winger so I’m really happy for him.
“When you have a full squad, you can think about the game. Sometimes we’re surviving with people in different positions, but with more options you can change the game and push forwards, and these things can help you win games.”
Amorim named an unchanged starting line-up from last week’s first-leg in Bilbao.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes again played in an advanced role, alongside Alejandro Garnacho in support of Hojlund.
Bilbao were without Inaki and Nico Williams, plus top scorer Oihan Sancet as they looked to overturn the hosts’ imposing advantage.
The visitors made an assured start and created the first cleat-cut chance in the ninth minute when Unai Gomez cut the ball back from the left for Alex Berenguer who curled a shot narrowly over.
Berenguer had another chance following a mazy run which ended with him firing a couple of yards wide.
United had an appeal for a penalty waved away by German referee Daniel Siebert and then the decision was upheld after a VAR check after Patrick Dorgue went tumbling as he burst into the penalty area.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited were stunned when the Spaniards stole ahead in the 31st minute as Jaureguizar curled in a shot from 27 yards to the delight of the 5,000 visiting fans.
Alvaro Djalo’s initial shot was blocked and the ball rebounded to Jaureguizar, a former Spanish U18 international, who made no mistake, though keeper Andre Onana got both hands to the ball, but could only help it into the net.
United ought to have levelled shortly before the break when Dorgu sent Alejandro Garnacho clean through on goal only for him to chip keeper Juken Agirrezabala only to see the ball roll agonisingly wide.
Bilbao laid siege to United’s goal from the restart but were let down by poor delivery of crosses and final balls as they were unable to find another route to goal.
Amorim responded by making a triple change just after the hour as Noussair Mazraoui, Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte were replaced by Amad Diallo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.
Bilbao had another great chance when Unai Nunez’s header from a free kick flashed just past the upright with Onana well beaten.
United badly needed a lift and Mount provided it with a superb equaliser to settle the nerves.
Shaw and Yoro linked down the left to set up Mount who produced a great turn before bending in a shot low to the left of the keeper from 15 yards – their first goal attempt which was on target.
It was Mount’s second goal of the season – he also netted at Brentford on Sunday – and only his third in almost two injury-plagued seasons at Old Trafford.
And a second goal soon followed, another beauty, a glancing near-post header from Casemiro across the face of goal after Bruno Fernandes produced a great free kick from the right.
Amorim made his last two chances with nine minutes left as Victor Lindelof and Casemiro were replaced by Harry Amass and Kobbie Mainoo.
And a third goal in 13 minutes followed. Leny Yoro broke forward and Mainoo then freed Amad who burst to the by-line and crossed for Hojlund to finish from three yards.
Then United’s fourth goal in stoppage time was the icing on the cake.
Goalkeeper Agirrezabala raced out of his area to clear but only as far as Mount who found the empty net from 45 yards.
It was hard to believe United had won so convincingly having been outplayed for 70 minutes when Bilbao looked capable of producing the mother of all comebacks.