Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao Report

Scorers: Mount 72’, 90+1’, Casemiro 80’, Hojlund 85’; Jauregizar 31’

Manchester United emphatically secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League final with a 4-1 win over Athletic Club, completing a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory and setting up a mouthwatering all-English showdown against Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils also maintained their unbeaten European run this season, putting on a clinical second-half display to dispatch the Basque visitors.

First Half – Early Scare Wakes Up the Hosts

Needing a fast start to recover from their heavy first-leg loss, Athletic Club began brightly at Old Trafford. The visitors carved out a golden chance within the opening 15 minutes, but Álex Berenguer squandered the opportunity by curling over from close range. Manchester United looked sluggish and paid the price just past the half-hour mark when Mikel Jauregizar unleashed a stunning long-range strike into the top corner, momentarily raising hopes of a dramatic comeback.

United responded with flashes of quality, and nearly equalised before the break as Patrick Dorgu played in Alejandro Garnacho, only for the Argentine to lift his finish narrowly wide of the far post.

Second Half – Ruthless Red Devils Turn the Tide

Athletic resumed control after the interval and continued to probe for a second, though Unai Nuñez’s wayward header was as close as they came. Ruben Amorim rang the changes midway through the half, introducing Mason Mount, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Højlund, and the substitutes quickly flipped the script.

Mount sparked the turnaround with a sharp turn and clinical finish to level on the night and all but end the tie.

Bruno Fernandes then turned provider, floating in a free-kick that Casemiro nodded home to make it 2-1. From there, the floodgates opened, with Diallo assisting Højlund for the third before Mount capitalised on a goalkeeper error to score a spectacular long-range fourth.

Conclusion – Final Awaits After Dominant Tie

United’s late flurry secured a commanding 4-1 win on the night and underlined their dominance across both legs, as they stormed into their ninth European final. They will now face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the decider, with a trophy and UEFA Champions League qualification on the line.

Athletic Club, meanwhile, were left to rue their dismal first-leg display and exit the competition after a spirited, but ultimately futile, showing in Manchester.

For more info on this game’s outcome, you may also visit:
Man Utd vs Athletic Club | UEFA Europa League 2024/25