Audio By Carbonatix
Mason Mount ended 20 months of torment with a brilliant second half double as Manchester United booked an all-English Europa League final with Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.
On an anxious, nervy, mistake-ridden night at Old Trafford, fingernails were starting to get chewed at the sight of the home side making it so hard for themselves despite starting the second-leg of their semi-final with Athletic Bilbao holding a three-goal advantage.
But Mount chose exactly the right time to step up.
Beset by a succession of injuries that have limited the England man to just 10 Premier League starts since his £55m move from Chelsea in 2023, Mount had only been on the pitch 10 minutes when he turned onto Leny Yoro's short pass inside the Bilbao penalty area.
Mount's strike was true and arrowed into the far corner.
It was his third United goal but it was by far the most important and ended lingering fears the visitors might become the first side in 134 attempts in Uefa competitions to overturn a three-goal first leg deficit away from home.
But there was more to come.
After Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund had steered United into a winning lead, Mount pounced on a loose ball 45 yards out and floated a superb shot into an empty net.
The goal capped a memorable Old Trafford night and maintained United's unbeaten record in the competition.
The final outcome was harsh on the Spanish visitors, who were the better side for long periods and led at half-time thanks to Mikel Jauregizar's magnificent 30-yard effort.
That did not matter to the home fans at the final whistle as they will now get a shot at salvaging their season against the Premier League's other great underachievers.
Latest Stories
-
Andrew Tandoh-Adote reprises role in ‘Black Star: the Teacher of Africa’ on March 8
5 minutes -
Ntim Fordjour calls for unity and patriotism after Ghana’s 69th Independence Day
11 minutes -
23 illegal miners , including four women , arrested for polluting Oda River
14 minutes -
Ghana attracting growing global attention ahead of 70th independence – KOD
23 minutes -
Africa must pay more attention to women’s health – Cancer Expert
28 minutes -
69 years after independence: Ghana’s freedom must deliver opportunity for its youth.Â
41 minutes -
Analysis: Why foreign countries are pressuring Ghana over its gold royalties
42 minutes -
Ghana’s democracy still a work in progress – Prof Osae-KwapongÂ
47 minutes -
Don’t cut down your cocoa trees due to the price cut – John Dumelo appeals to farmers
53 minutes -
A Plus launches Gomoa Easter Carnival; event set for April 2 to 5
1 hour -
MTN Ghana Foundation hands over GH¢15m accident and emergency expansion to Ho Teaching Hospital
1 hour -
Preserving history key to national unity and development – UNESCO rep
1 hour -
Kukubuso Basic School in shambles: Dilapidated buildings pose grave danger to students, teachers
1 hour -
Ghana’s reset must begin with values and accountability- Mahama
2 hours -
Economic gains are meaningless if citizens face hardship – Ntim Fordjour
2 hours
