Five things noticed as a Mason Mount double saw Manchester United defeat Athletic Club 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Rúben Amorim chose to name an unchanged starting XI from the first leg as Manchester United welcomed Athletic Club to Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash.
With the home side holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, the tie started with the away side dominating the opening 30 minutes. They were able to take the lead on the night as Mikel Jauregizar notched a stunning effort to hand an unexpected advantage to the Spanish team.
Alejandro Garnacho was sent through on goal just minutes before half time, but could not steer his chipped shot on target, and United went into the tunnel a goal down on the night but two goals up on aggregate and 45 minutes left to play.
Early in the second half, Amorim chose to throw on Amad, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount with the idea of injecting extra pace into his side, and was given his just desrets as the latter scored a fantastic curling effort to level the tie on the night.
With United’s crowd singing Casemiro’s name, the Brazilian then nodded in United’s second to hand them the lead on the night after a free kick delivery from Bruno Fernandes.
Rasmus Højlund then added a third to start the celebrations before Mount added his second of the night after a stunning effort from halfway secured a 7-1 win on aggregate and send the club into the final, where they will meet Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
#1 – A start with almost no intent
Ahead of kick-off, United unveiled another tifo and a set of fantastic fireworks to install a stunning atmosphere at Old Trafford, but the players’ first half was anything but fireworks.
It was no secret that Athletic Club would look to dominate on the ball and push for any opening they could, and United seemed slow, lethargic, and yet to wake up as the Reds went into half-time with far more red flags than necessary.
United’s performance was very poor in the first 60 minutes. Amorim made a number of changes to kickstart his team on the evening, but four second-half goals took them through to the final.
#2 – Ugarte experiment might not be working
In the first leg, Ugarte was praised for his performance further up the pitch, but on Thursday evening at Old Trafford, he looked too clumsy and slow with the ball at his feet.
Coming off the back of a 90-minute fixture against Brentford, the Uruguayan international’s first half on the night was very poor, with fans slamming a “terrible” night for the Reds midfielder.
In the second half, he was not much better and was taken off after a little over 60 minutes, with his replacement, Mount, impressing far more.
#3 – Amorim knows his most important players
The difference between United’s performances prior to the second-half substitutes and once the trio came on was beyond night and day.
Everyone knows about Amad’s importance, and it was on display in buckets as the tricky winger imposed a sense of composure and confidence on the night, but it was Mount’s impact that was truly breathtaking.
Amorim has been public in his praise for the English midfielder, but criticism has been rife. However, after back-to-back goals against Brentford and Athletic Club, these doubts are starting to creep away as he gets back to full fitness.
#4 – United feel as if they are on the up
Countless times this season, United fans have witnessed their side climb from the pits back to victories, with comebacks against Ipswich Town, Lyon, and Manchester City just a few to name under Amorim.
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Amid all these comebacks, it is now starting to feel as if there is a sense of belief under the manager, and the way the club were able to secure their path to the final will only add to the side’s momentum heading into the game on 21 May.
#5 – An all-English final in dangerous
United will be playing Tottenham Hotspur in the competition’s final, with both the trophy and a place in the Champions League next season on the line.
United and Spurs have both been dismal in the Premier League, sitting 15th and 16th respectively, but all of that will head out the window on 21 May.
However, it must be noted that, on all three occasions the two sides have met this season, Ange Postecoglou’s men have beaten United, so Amorim must be warned that his opponents will know a lot more about his side than if it were an opposition from the continent.
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