They did it. In a season that nervously toed the line between triumph and disaster, Manchester United have placed themselves one match from silverware. A campaign that was described as “Bilbao or Bust” as early as January is now headed for a hopeful conclusion in the Basque Country.
Ruben Amorim’s men made it hard for themselves in this second leg against Athletic Club. Nervy defending and a passive approach when out of possession gave the Spanish side hope. Harry Maguire’s loose pass opened a window for Alejandro Berenguer to score, and his long-range strike in the 31st minute gave travelling fans reason to believe. “Si se puede!” they chanted at half time. “Yes we can!”
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At half-time, there was a belief that with enough pressure, noise and chaos, United might crumble and ship a second goal. And then perhaps a third. Athletic Club were 3-1 down on aggregate at that stage, but the away fans were hoping they could will their team to a Europa League final at their home.
Athletic Club had a dream. A trio of United substitutes proceeded to crush it.
Shortly past the hour mark, Amorim swapped Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho for Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo. Ten minutes later, a Leny Yoro drop of the shoulder and surge teed up Mount for a swivel-and-shoot effort in front of the Stretford End.
Eight minutes after that, Bruno Fernandes’ free kick found Casemiro in the opposition penalty area to give United a 2-1 lead on the night and a resounding margin on aggregate. Then came Amad’s dribble down the right byline in the 82nd minute, putting the ball on a plate and into the standing leg of Rasmus Hojlund to make it 3-1.
The coup de grace was delivered a minute into injury time as Mount seized on a poor clearance from Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. His left-footed shot, from more than 30 yards out, rolled into an empty net and sent United fans to cloud nine.
Mount is congratulated after scoring the first goal of his evening (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
United played in a nervy and slapdash manner for the majority of Thursday’s spectacle. They threatened to add another deflating defeat onto a pile that had grown too big and too embarrassing over a slog of a season. Then came the cavalry off the bench.
“They changed the game and that is credit to the players,” said Amorim once the 4-1 victory had assured United’s place in the final against Totttenham Hotspur on May 21.
“We needed a little bit more energy and we had to keep the ball. When you play with Manu (Ugarte) and Casemiro, we lose in some areas in the way we push forward the team. Bruno Fernandes is a really good player to drive the ball, but also to start the play with long passes, and that can help us. Amad is to change the game because I felt Garna was tired. It was my fault as he did a really good job versus Brentford.”
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Is it wise to let one game of football define a nine-month football season? Is it sensible for Manchester United to try and do it in back-to-back seasons? United will play in the Europa League final after gaining entry to the competition via victory in last season’s FA Cup final. Few fans will want to remember how this team plays in the Premier League, but Amorim — much like his predecessor Erik ten Hag — has found a certain alchemy in the cups.
In his own words, there are “weaknesses” within United. It is a team that “lacks certain characteristics”, but they are finding a way to shine brighter under the Europa League lights.
Amorim’s changes turned the second leg in Manchester United’s favour (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
A first half that saw United struggle to build from the back was soothed by Shaw’s introduction. Mount and Amad form an excellent one-two punch of ball carrying, incisive passing and goalscoring threat. Amorim smiled broadly when the England international scored his second of the game, and spoke effusively of his talents after the full-time whistle.
The return of both men from injury gives the head coach much-needed options ahead of the final. The game’s closing minutes saw Kobbie Mainoo introduced for Casemiro, and Victor Lindelof swapped for academy graduate Harry Amass. United’s substitutes’ bench looked far stronger than the one Amorim took to the Tottenham Stadium in mid-February.
The kitchen has been restocked. Amorim has more ingredients to cook up something special.
One must also consider the stalwarts of this Europa League journey. Yoro goes from strength to strength on the left of the back three. Casemiro brings a veteran’s nous to these matches; continually seeking small ways to make his team play better before relishing any opportunity to make the opposition play worse. And then there is Fernandes, who wasn’t at his best in the second leg, but still found a way to contribute with an assist.
A superstar with the work-rate of a water carrier. A spiky, proactive playmaker, committed to dragging this football team into better days.
Amad was one of a trio of substitutes who made an impact off the bench (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The Europa League has been kind to United this season. Continental football has been played a fraction slower than that in the Premier League, allowing for a gentler learning curve as this team attempts to build and grow together.
Any physical advantage United have over European teams will be reduced when United take on Tottenham. Amorim, club staff and his players remain committed to finding new solutions. The head coach will be cautious about his returning players. He wants to be “careful” over Mount’s fitness, while Amad is “still getting his momentum”.
Yet the final chapter of United’s 2024-25 season will be written in two weeks’ time, and you can feel players readying themselves for one final push. One game in Bilbao could define everything. Glory awaits.
(Top photo: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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