Mason Mount ended 20 months of frustration with a sensational second-half brace, sending Manchester United into an all-English Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.
On a tense and error-strewn evening at Old Trafford, nerves were fraying as United, despite carrying a three-goal advantage into the second leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, struggled to impose control.
Then Mount delivered.
Limited to just 10 Premier League starts since his £55 million move from Chelsea in 2023 due to persistent injuries, the England midfielder made a dramatic impact just 10 minutes after coming on. Latching onto Leny Yoro’s short pass in the Bilbao box, Mount fired a pinpoint strike into the far corner—his third goal for United, but undoubtedly his most significant.
The goal eased fears of a historic collapse—no team in 134 UEFA attempts had ever overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit away from home.
Mount wasn’t done.
With United already in command through goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund, he capitalized on a loose ball nearly 45 yards out, lifting a superb effort into an empty net to seal the win.
It was a night to remember at Old Trafford, even if Bilbao, who led at half-time through Mikel Jauregizar’s stunning 30-yard strike, had been the better side for long stretches.
But for United fans, the result was all that mattered. Their side now heads to Bilbao with a chance to salvage silverware—and pride—against fellow underachievers Tottenham.
