MANCHESTER UNITED booked their spot in the Europa League final a week ago.
Tonight, it was officially confirmed – with a comeback 4-1 win at home over Athletic Bilbao.
There was a party atmosphere inside and outside of Old Trafford, knowing all the Red Devils needed to do was avoid a thumping at home to book their spot in the final in two weeks’ time.
But Mikel Jaureguizar sent a nervous shiver around the ground with his fine effort on the half-hour mark.
United struggled to click and no doubt some feared of an almighty collapse.
But when Ruben Amorim turned to the bench, it made all the difference – Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount were all involved in Mount’s delightful equaliser.
Casemiro scored with a clever header and even Rasmus Hojlund got in on the act to tap in.
Then Mount finish the job in style with his long-range effort into an empty net. Smiles all round.
Roll on, Bilbao…
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Ruben Amorim’s men at Old Trafford…
Andre Onana – 6/10
Came and made a massive punch clear from a dangerous-looking free-kick early on to alleviate the pressure.
On first viewing, it looked like he was beaten all ends up by the Jaureguizar strike – but replays showed his got fingers to it… and he may be disappointed he couldn’t tip it past the post.
Had nothing else to do, really.
Victor Lindelof – 3
Will have been uttery overjoyed to see Nico Williams ruled out through injury.
But even so, Lindelof looked distinctly nervy on the ball, repeatedly needlessly clipping it out of play down the touchline to hand possession and territory back to the Spaniards.
Surely playing his last few matches for the club, one has to imagine. A weak link and unreliable right now.
Harry Maguire – 4
The hero in the quarter-final here but it was his mistake that sent the anxiety levels through the leaky roof at Old Trafford.
A sloppy pass that was meant for Yoro only picked out Alvaro Djalo whose blocked shot fell for Jaureguizar to curl into the top corner.
Not the only time he gave the ball away, admittedly none were as costly as the goal.
Leny Yoro – 7
Certainly not the biggest culprit out there in what was a woeful first hour but hardly stood up and performed, either.
Then seemed to get a bit of attacking impetus.
Did one mazy run forwards and got into an excellent position on the edge of the area – before producing a centre-back’s pass when he needed a more delicate ball to feed Diallo.
But found the right pass when striding forward to tee up Mount to score.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Played more of a right-back with Dorgu allowed to push on and did his defensive work largely okay.
Except for the fact that he almost handed Athletic the perfect start with his nothing headed clearance in his own area from an overhit cross gifted the ball to Unai Gomez who set up Alex Berenguer but he could not keep his shot down. Let off.
Booked midway through the first half.
Casemiro – 8
Seems to be looking fitter, stronger and – dare I say – younger with every passing game these days.
Most things went through the Brazilian who is brimming with confidence – epitomised by a cheeky backheel flick to pick out Hojlund.
But he seemed to be sucked down by his struggling colleagues and was booked for a late, strong challenge.
Manuel Ugarte – 4
Provided some much-needed scrappiness in the middle of the park and got involved.
But didn’t stamp any authority on the game, though, and didn’t retain possession well enough in both halves of the pitch.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
Tried his best to make something happen going forwards – once even too hard as he nicked a ball off his captain’s toes as he lined one up – but looks very much a left-back, not a wing-back.
Half-hearted appeal for a penalty was somehow looked at by VAR but there is still some slither of sense in football as the check was completed with no further action taken.
Switched over to the right when Luke Shaw came on.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
As usual, the man United looked to to make something, anything happen.
But even the Portuguese playmaker had a hard time doing that, resorting to pop shots and whining about free-kicks.
Must be so frustrating for him to play in this team when his quality is so many levels above that of those around him.
But today, he was no better than the rest of the largely dire starters.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
For a £72million striker, it is staggering how Hojlund can look as lost as a little boy who has can’t find his mum in a supermarket when playing up front.
Yes, he occasionally gets in the right areas and from time to time holds the ball up to link in with others.
And yes, he got that tap in right at the end which his pals were evidently delighted about… but the lost little boy could have put that in the net.
Despite the goal, as harsh as it sounds, tonight was yet more painfully obvious that Manchester United MUST sign a proper No9 this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho – 3
Had one moment of any real note. The golden chance to calm everyone down when clean through on goal before half-time.
But never gave the impression he was going to find the net… and his limp chip dribbled wide.
A worrying lack of goal threat from the Argentine and rightly hooked off early. A bitterly disappointing performance.
SUBS
Luke Shaw (for Mazraoui, 62 mins) – 7
Plenty of United fans are ready to see the back of Shaw this summer and his injury record is a nightmare.
But there is no doubting when he is fit, he can still be one of England’s best left-backs.
Defensively solid and knows what to do when he gets forward, can’t ask for too much more.
Amad Diallo (for Garnacho, 62 mins) – 8
Immediately got the United fans out of their seats when a neat one-two with Dorgu saw him race down the right and get into the Bilbao box.
Nothing came of it but it was at least a statement of intent, something sorely lacking for the first hour.
Followed it up with his involvement in the equaliser and was constantly trying to cause damage – and doing exactly that.
A stark contrast from Garnacho.
Mason Mount (for Ugarte, 62 mins) – 9
Shaw was good, Diallo excellent but it is Mount who grabs the headlines. And rightly so.
Pretty much his first touch was a header after he just mistimed the jump… only for the ball to be recycled, work its way back to him.
The turn and finish was a real peach – prompting a huge sigh of relief for him personally and for everyone connected to United.
Almost more impressively, just a minute after his goal, Mount put in a crucial foot to nick the ball away by his own left corner flag.
And he saved the best until last, scoring from miles out on his left foot when urged to shoot at the unguarded net.
He’s certainly not had the United career he wanted so far, but that was his best game in red. Hard not to be pleased for him.
Harry Amass (for Lindelof, 81 mins) – N/A
Kobbie Mainoo (for Casemiro, 81 mins) – N/A
Read the full article here