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Manchester United marched into the final in style, dispatching Athletic Club with a dominant second-half display to secure a place in the all-English European showdown in Bilbao on May 21. A 4-1 victory on the night, and a 7-2 win on aggregate, sees United on the brink of continental silverware after what has been a challenging season. Mason Mount, with two goals including a sensational long-range strike, played the hero at Old Trafford, restoring calm and putting the tie beyond any lingering doubt.
Athletic had entered the match needing a miracle after Manchester United‘s commanding three-goal advantage from the first leg in Bilbao. Even with that cushion, there were some nervy moments for the home side. The absence of key attackers Nico and Inaki Williams left the Basque visitors light in firepower, but they still managed to give their travelling fans a brief spark of hope in the first half.
That glimmer came courtesy of Mikel Jaureguizar, whose stunning strike from distance punished a slack moment from United’s backline. Harry Maguire’s lapse in possession handed Athletic a rare opening, and Andre Onana, though getting a hand to the effort, couldn’t keep it out. The away section erupted, sensing the faintest possibility of a comeback. Alejandro Garnacho then squandered a golden chance in a one-on-one situation that could have settled nerves earlier, further fuelling Athletic’s belief.
For much of the first half, United’s attacking play was disjointed. Patrick Dorgu and Garnacho found space but lacked end product. Wastefulness in front of goal nearly turned the tie on its head. Athletic, to their credit, pressed with intent and tried to exploit every mistake. But it was always going to be a tall order without their attacking talismans.
The turning point came with United manager Ruben Amorim’s second-half substitutions. Introducing Amad Diallo injected energy into the attack, and Mount’s introduction proved decisive. His first goal, a clever turn and pinpoint finish into the far corner, broke the visitors’ resistance and brought a sigh of relief across Old Trafford.
That goal shifted momentum fully back in United’s favor. Shortly after, Casemiro’s looping header made it 2-1 on the night, reasserting the Premier League side’s authority. Then, Diallo dazzled with a mazy run, slicing through Athletic’s tired backline to set up Rasmus Højlund for a simple tap-in.
The scoreline was becoming emphatic, but there was still time for a moment of individual brilliance to cap it off. Mount, who had never scored for Manchester United at Old Trafford before, delivered a finish worthy of the occasion. Pouncing on a poor clearance from the Athletic goalkeeper, he controlled the ball, sized up his shot, and unleashed a curling effort from over 40 yards out with his weaker left foot. It sailed into the net, sealing the win and sending the home fans into raptures.
“It’s been difficult with the injuries, but I’ve kept going and it’s paid off,” Mount told TNT Sports after the game. “Getting that goal to make it 1-1 calmed us down. It’s been too long since I had a feeling like this. The crowd has been unbelievable. My first goals at Old Trafford—special night, one I’ve been waiting a long time for. We want to go to Bilbao and finish strong now.”
Manchester United’s Path to the Final
United’s place in the final was already probable before kickoff, but this performance underlined their quality when it mattered most. The win also sets up a mouthwatering clash with fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who saw off Bodo/Glimt in the other semi-final.
Rasmus Højlund praised Mount’s impact and resilience. “I am very pleased for Mason Mount,” he said. “He’s one of my good friends in the team. He’s a good lad, always working very hard. He’s had a lot of stick because of injuries, but he’s stayed positive and focused on getting back. He did what we knew he could do tonight.”
After lifting the FA Cup last season, United now stand just one match away from adding European silverware to their recent collection—a beacon of success in an otherwise turbulent campaign. In less than two weeks, the journey concludes in Bilbao, where one of England’s troubled giants will earn redemption and a coveted Champions League place.