Cliff Notes – Man United 4-1 Athletic
- Manchester United secured a place in the Europa League final with a 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Club, highlighted by Mason Mount’s two goals in the semifinal match.
- Despite their struggles in the Premier League, currently sitting 15th, United demonstrated resilience, overcoming a brief setback after Athletic’s opening goal.
- The final will see United face Tottenham Hotspur on May 21 at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, with manager Amorim emphasising the importance of winning to secure a Champions League spot.
Man United 4-1 Athletic (8 May, 2025) Game Analysis
Manchester United booked their berth in the Europa League final after a 4-1 semifinal win Athletic Club on Thursday, with Mason Mount scoring twice to hand the hosts a 7-1 aggregate win and a chance for the beleaguered team to hoist some silverware this season.
United, who are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, kicked off the night with a comfortable cushion thanks to their stunning 3-0 victory a week earlier in Bilbao.
But Mikel Jauregizar put Athletic on the score sheet in the 31st minute after a terrible clearance attempt by Harry Maguire landed at the Spaniard’s feet and he unleashed a blistering shot from outside the box into the top corner.
Mount drew United level in the 72nd minute, latching onto a pass from Leny Yoro before turning and firing past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Casemiro headed home from a free kick seven minutes later, and Rasmus Hojlund put the game out of reach in the 85th when Amad Diallo cut the ball back from the byline into the six-yard box and the Dane tapped into an empty net.
Hojlund was then handed a mobile phone and posed with Diallo and Yoro for a celebratory selfie in front of the partying Stretford End crowd.
Manchester United players celebrate after scoring a goal against Athletic Club in the Europa League.
Mount completed his double in added time when he spotted Agirrezabala well out of his net and fired a shot from just inside the visitors’ half.
“It was too long [waiting for a night like that],” Mount said. “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.”
United, the Europa League champions in 2017, will play Tottenham Hotspur in an all-Premier League final on May 21 at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium.
Amorim said he will not be celebrating until United win the final and clinch an all-important spot in the Champions League next season.
“In this moment, I am just worried about the next game, trying not to get injuries for the final,” he said. “We need to win it. If we don’t win it, it means nothing for us.”
