Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao LIVE SCORE: Old Trafford erupts as United dismantle Spaniards to set up all-English Europa League final against Tottenham
MANCHESTER UNITED are in the Europa League final after thrashing Athletic Bilbao!
Mikel Jauregizar's screamer put a little doubt in United's minds despite them having such a huge lead after the first leg.
But Mason Mount's sensational double, Casemiro's header and Hojlund's strike have confirmed their place in the thrilling Europa League final.
It will be an all-English final against Tottenham.
- RESULT: Man Utd 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (7-1 agg)
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It's time to recap on last night's events at Old Trafford with Martin Blackburn's match report of Manchester United's 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final, second leg.
Just when Athletic Bilbao looked like they might climb the mountain – up steps Mason Mount. The England ace climbed off the bench just after the hour when the impossible comeback looked on for the visitors. He levelled with a classy goal within 10 minutes – and in stoppage time he scored a stunner with the Bilbao keeper stranded.
Martin BlackburnThe European finals confirmed
So Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will meet at San Mames in the final of the Europa League in just under two weeks' time.
It will be the sixth instance of two English clubs meeting in the final of a European competition, and the second involving Manchester United after their 2008 Champions League success against Chelsea.
Spurs, meanwhile, have faced English opposition in such circumstances on two occasions.
The Londoners defeated Wolves over two legs of the 1972 UEFA Cup, but came unstuck 47 years later when losing to Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid.
Europa League: Tottenham v Man Utd - Bilbao (Wed, 21 May)
Conference League: Real Betis v Chelsea - Wroclaw (Wed, 28 May)
Champions League: PSG v Inter - Munich (Sat, 31 May)Hojlund craving consistency
Rasmus Hojlund is hoping his recent striker's instinct in front of goal will be the catalyst for a more prolific period in Manchester United's attack.
The 22-year-old tapped home in front of the Stretford End to follow up on his last-gasp equaliser at Bournemouth 12 days ago.
"I want to be more consistent as well. I don't want to stop," revealed Hojlund after United had sealed their place in the Europa League final.
"I can't even remember how many games I went without a goal. It's nice that they are coming now, and I just need to keep being focused, play my game and hopefully more of this can come."
Unbeaten United storm to final
Manchester United may never have been in a real danger of letting their semi-final first leg advantage slip, but Thursday evening's comeback in the return against Athletic Bilbao also kept their undefeated European campaign alive.
It means the Red Devils have gone unbeaten in all 14 Europa League games this season (W9 D5), the most matches they’ve ever played in a single European campaign without losing.
- D1-1 v FC Twente (H), League Phase, Sept 25
- D3-3 v Porto (A), League Phase, Oct 3
- D1-1 v Fenerbahce (A), League Phase, Oct 24
- W2-0 v PAOK (H), League Phase, Nov 7
- W3-2 v Bodo/Glimt (H), League Phase, Nov 28
- W2-1 v Viktoria Plzen (A), League Phase, Dec 12
- W2-1 v Rangers (H), League Phase, Jan 23
- W2-0 v FCSB (A), League Phase, Jan 30
- D1-1 v Real Sociedad (A), Round of 16 1st Leg, Mar 6
- W4-1 v Real Sociedad (H), Round of 16 2nd Leg, Mar 13
- D2-2 v Lyon (A), Quarter-Final 1st Leg, Apr 10
- W5-4 v Lyon (H), Quarter-Final 2nd Leg, Apr 17
- W3-0 v Athletic Bilbao (A), Semi-Final 1st Leg, May 1
- W4-1 v Athletic Bilbao (H), Semi-Final 2nd Leg, May 8
Mount the man for big occasion
Mason Mount's superb cameo stole the show at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The midfielder only registered 15 touches in his half hour off the bench, but wowed the Manchester United support with his game-changing display.
In scoring two spectacular goals, Mount netted his first ever brace in European competition.
The double was the 26-year-old's first goals in continental competition since he was on target for Chelsea against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final back in 2022.
Meanwhile, three of Mount’s five European goals have come in semi-finals.
Nine up for Red Devils
It took a while this evening, but Manchester United eventually cruised through to what will be their ninth major European final.
The Red Devils will face Tottenham in Bilbao on May 21st, in what will be their first continental showpiece since losing on penalties to Villarreal in the final of the same competition in 2021.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim has become the first manager to reach a major European final in his first season in charge of an English club since Thomas Tuchel took Chelsea all the way in the 2020-21 Champions League.
Amorim is the second Manchester United boss to reach a European final since Jose Mourinho led them to victory over Ajax in the Europa League eight years ago.
Yoro at United for trophies
Leny Yoro moved one step closer this evening to fulfilling a career ambition: winning a major trophy with Manchester United.
The 19-year-old centre-back put in an assured performance as the Red Devils came through a slight scare in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao.
And afterwards, the French teenager insisted he was at Old Trafford to win silverware and follow in the footsteps of the club's great defenders before him.
I come to Manchester United to achieve big things, to win trophies, so when you see players like Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Raphael Varane, you want to achieve the same things as them, stay in the memory of fans and be a big defender. When they compare me to them it’s a real honour, I’m proud of this. I’m trying to be the best I can. When you play for Manchester United you need to feel this - this is a club of trophies.
Leny Yoro
Brace it like Beckham
Mason Mount's sensational stoppage time finish this evening brought comparisons with the goal from the halfway line that David Beckham scored against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park back in August 1997.
And that wasn't the only similarity that the Manchester United's midfielder's performance drew with the former England captain.
With his double off the bench tonight, Mount became the first substitute to score a brace in a European knockout match for Manchester United since Beckham against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in April 2003.
Amorim: We must win final
Ruben Amorim was a proud Manchester United manager at full time this evening, but quickly cooled the mood by insisting that it will all be for nothing if they fail to lift the Europa League trophy.
Amid all the emotion and celebration, the Portuguese coach remained level headed by insisting he needs to begin preparing immediately for a final that the club must win in order to reward the supporters that have stuck by them through thick and thin.
I'm already worried about the next game, and trying to not get any injuries before the final. If we don't win the final then it means nothing for us. We have to have a full squad, stay in the game, have a bit of luck and then we have to be clinical. It's quite similar for me and Ange [Postecoglou]. It has been tough for us both but one of us is going to win. We want to give the fans something because we have been so disappointing in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim
Do Spurs hold the edge?
Manchester United fans are already thinking about a return to Bilbao for the Europa League final later this month.
But with it may come some slight trepidation as they face Tottenham, a side they have been beaten by this season, not once, not twice, but three times.
Spurs completed a league double over the Red Devils without conceding a goal, building on a thumping 3-0 success at Old Trafford early in the season.
And sandwiched in between came a 4-3 thriller in the League Cup quarter-final, memorable for all except goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Fraser Forster.
Still, as Ruben Amorim says, it's not often that one club beats another four times in a single campaign...
- Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham (PL, Sept 29)
- Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd (League Cup QF, Dec 19)
- Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd (PL, Feb 16)
Marvellous Mount made to wait
Was this Mason Mount's best half hour in a Manchester United shirt? Without a doubt.
The Red Devils were edging nervously towards the Europa League final at 1-0 down on the night when the midfielder came on as a second half substitute, but 30 minutes later the former Chelsea man had chipped in with two beauties as United stormed to a 7-1 aggregate win.
Speaking at full time, a clearly emotional Mount admitted that his time at Old Trafford had been difficult but he now sees good times ahead - starting in Bilbao in two weeks' time.
It has been too long and it has been tough with all the injuries. I carried on going, working hard in training every day, have tried to stay positive and when I had an opportunity to try to make an impact. Today it paid off. I came on and affected the game when it was tight, and I just tried to calm it down. The crowd has been unbelievable, they have stuck with us. For me, these were my first goals at Old Trafford, and it's a night that I've been waiting a long time for.
Mason Mount
Match stats from Old Trafford
Four goals from five shots on target? Maybe Manchester United could bring that 80% shot conversion rate to the Premier League.
The final showdown
The English clubs are dominating the Europa League this season, and two from the Premier League will now meet in the final following this evening's results:
- Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (Agg: 1-5)
- Man Utd 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 7-1)
The upshot is Tottenham Hotspur will take on Manchester United in the Europa League on Wednesday, May 21st, at San Mames in Bilbao.
Full time - Man Utd 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 7-1)
Mason Mount's marvellous moment proves to be the last kick of the game, and Manchester United roar into the Europa League final when for so long tonight it looked as though they were stumbling towards Spain.
Three goals in front from the first leg, United were pinned back for most of the return and trailed to Mikel Jauregizar's super first half strike.
But a late rally spurred by super sub Mason Mount kickstarted the party,
The England midfielder netted two brilliant goals while Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro also got themselves on the scoresheet in an 18-minute blitz that left brave Bilbao bruised, beaten and heading home.
United will now head back to Bilbao themselves, but to take part in the final of the Europa League against Tottenham in 13 days time.
Man Utd 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 7-1)
90+1. What a way to sign off this semi-final!
I said Mason Mount had morphed into Maradona, and now he's bent it like Beckham.
The midfielder reacts quickly as Julen Agirrezabala races out of his goal to deal with one final threat.
And when the Bilbao fails to get enough distance on his clearance, the Manchester United substitute goes to work.
A neat first touch to control takes the ball on to his left foot, and from there Mount drives a terrific effort beyond Agirrezabala and over the covering defender to find the net from 45 yards.
A fitting end to a memorable evening!
A magical finale!
Man Utd 3-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 6-1)
90. The board goes up to signal two minutes of additional time.
The home fans say call it now, they want to party.
Man Utd 3-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 6-1)
87. Old Trafford hasn't had many evenings like this in recent seasons.
And for all the chaos, the shambles, the disappointment that these fans have had to endure while the rest of the country chuckled away, the club are heading to another European final that will see them 90 minutes away from a return to the Champions League.
Man Utd 3-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 6-1)
85. A memorable goal for Manchester United, and a big one for Rasmus Hojlund!
The Danish striker clenches his fists and roars in front of the Stretford End as he celebrates the strike that confirms Manchester United's place in the Europa League final.
It was a straightforward finish, tapping in from three yards after great work from Amad Diallo on the byline, but one that will give the young forward so much confidence for the challenges ahead.
3-1 even Hojlund scored!
Man Utd 2-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 5-1)
82. It's a carnival atmosphere inside here now.
The crowd are giving it the olés to every pass, and Mason Mount has morphed into Maradona.
Man Utd 2-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 5-1)
80. The party can truly start now!
Casemiro has flicked in Bruno Fernandes' free-kick, and Manchester United are on their way back to Bilbao!
It's not the cleanest header - in fact, it actually comes off his shoulder - but neither the Brazilian nor 70,000 inside Old Trafford care.
It came just as the Stretford End were singing for Casemiro's name, and the midfielder responded with a smart run to the near post, from where he was able to loop his effort over Julen Agirrezabala.
Turnaround!
Man Utd 1-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 4-1)
77. Athletic Bilbao frustrations are creeping in now.
Alex Berenguer and Unai Núnez both collect yellow cards in the matter of seconds.
Man Utd 1-1 Athletic Bilbao (Agg: 4-1)
74. Guruzeta is so close to nudging Bilbao back into the game.
The substitute slides in at the near post, and only just edges a right wing cross wide.