Manchester United Kicked Athletico Bilbao Out of Europa in Semi Finals

Manchester United swept into the Europa League final with a commanding 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on Thursday, sealing a 7-1 aggregate triumph and offering their troubled campaign a chance at redemption with silverware to play for.

Despite a disappointing 15th-place standing in the Premier League, United now sit just one win away from their first Europa League title since 2017—and a return to Champions League football next season. Their opponents in the all–English final on May 21 will be Tottenham Hotspur, themselves enduring a mixed domestic season, in a repeat of last year’s showpiece at Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium.

Building on a dominant 3-0 first-leg performance in Spain, United enjoyed a quiet opening until Athletic momentarily stirred the hosts’ nerves. In the 31st minute, Mikel Jauregizar capitalized on a wayward Harry Maguire clearance, smashing a long-range effort into the top corner and silencing the Old Trafford faithful.

However, any lingering doubt was extinguished after the break. Mason Mount, introduced early in the second half, struck in the 72nd minute to bring United level, deftly converting Leny Yoro’s clipped pass past Athletic keeper Julen Agirrezabala and muting the visitors’ 5,000-strong traveling support.

Seven minutes later, Casemiro rose to meet a tantalizing free-kick delivery, guiding a glancing header home to nudge United ahead. The rout was confirmed in the 85th minute when Amad Diallo danced down the flank, cut the ball back to Rasmus Højlund, and watched the Danish striker tap into an empty net. Diallo then celebrated with teammates by snapping a selfie in front of the jubilant Stretford End.

Mount added gloss to the scoreline deep into stoppage time, spotting the goalkeeper off his line to unleash a bold, left-footed strike from inside his own half that sailed into the empty net. Manager Rúben Amorim could only laugh with delight, as United celebrated a night that could yet vault their season back on course.

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