Manchester United produced a stirring late comeback to beat Athletic Club 4-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate, sealing their place in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
Despite a commanding 3-0 first-leg advantage, Ruben Amorim’s side had to dig deep after Mikel Jauregizar’s first-half strike gave the visitors hope. For long spells, United looked flat, nervy, and vulnerable — a theme all too familiar during a turbulent Premier League campaign.
But the introduction of Mason Mount in the second half changed everything.
Mount, whose time at Old Trafford has been plagued by injury, turned saviour in front of a restless crowd. He equalised in the 72nd minute with a sublime curling effort, settling United’s nerves before Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund struck in quick succession to put the tie beyond doubt.
The final flourish came in extraordinary fashion. With Athletic pushing forward, their goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala ventured out of his area and misjudged a clearance — Mount pounced, sending a spectacular long-range lob into the unguarded net.
It was a moment of redemption for a player who had until now struggled to justify his price tag.
Amorim, under pressure after United’s chaotic domestic form, opted to revert to the same line-up that delivered last week’s emphatic win in Spain. Yet United laboured through the first hour. Athletic, missing key players including the Williams brothers and top scorer Oihan Sancet, still carved out chances — with Jauregizar’s 31st-minute screamer the pick of the bunch.
Earlier chances fell to Alex Berenguer and Unai Gómez, but the Basque side couldn’t make their dominance count. Garnacho missed a gilt-edged opportunity for United before half-time, attempting a chip that drifted wide after a fine through-ball from Patrick Dorgu.
The game turned after a raft of substitutions. Mount’s arrival lifted the tempo, and his composure in the final third proved decisive. Casemiro powered home a header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross to swing the momentum firmly in United’s favour before Højlund added a scrappy third.
It was the kind of comeback performance that hinted at the spirit Amorim hopes to instil long-term. Victory in Dublin would not only salvage United’s season but secure a Champions League return — a vital incentive as the club prepares for another summer rebuild.
