Inspired super subs send United surging into final

Ruben Amorim had wondered which Manchester United would show up. In the space of another remarkable European night at Old Trafford, two did.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Manchester United Mount (72, 90+1), Casemiro (79), Hojlund (85) Won 7-1 on aggregate 4

Athletic Club Jauregizar (31) 1

AT OLD TRAFFORD

A passive, error-prone team were dismal for an hour. Then an inspired finish sent a side who looked to be stumbling and blundering their way into the Europa League final instead surging to it. Amorim’s schizophrenic side could yet end a historically bad season on a genuine high.

When Bilbao’s Athletic Club threatened a comeback that might have been outlandish even for the watching Sir Alex Ferguson, United had a couple of decorated trump cards to play. A man who set up the winner in a Champions League final and a serial Champions League winner took them to the Europa League showpiece. Mason Mount’s belated first Old Trafford goal, almost two years into his United career, cancelled Athletic’s lead. His 50-yard finish into an empty net in injury time meant he doubled his tally for the club in one devastating cameo. Meanwhile, Casemiro, who had headed United into a lead in the San Mames last week, repeated the feat, stooping to meet Bruno Fernandes’ free kick. Unleashed from the bench with Mount, Amad Diallo set up Rasmus Hojlund for the simplest of finishes. After scoring three goals in 15 minutes in San Mames, United had four in 19 at Old Trafford.