Ruben's Reds bloody did it as they will be returning to Bilbao for the 24/25 Europa League final in which we will face a familiar foe in Spurs. That will be another night 😬.
As for tonight though, what a game! Another night to remember at Old Trafford.
With a 3-0 lead from the first leg, no one was feeling absolutely confident that United will go through because of well, have you seen us this season?
It's always tricky whenever you have such a difference in these cup games as most would think you're comfortable so it could play on your mind about sitting back and letting the opposition come onto you. That could invite unnecessary pressure though, which may not be what you want.
United did appear to do the latter as Bilbao were the side that looked more on the front foot and controlled in this game. I don't think we started it off as we should've as there wasn't enough going on from the players to set a great tempo, one that would suggest we are absolutely going for this and we're not going to give Athletic Club a chance.
That wasn't the case as the away side were a lot better on the ball, were more composed and were the team that was playing actual football. United on the other hand, seemed to be the side that were away from home and needed to overturn a 3-goal deficit.
We were very panicky with very little composure to our play as too often, we gave the ball away cheaply which just added to the already high tensions. None of the early nerves were settled and if anything, were raised.
Whilst Amorim's side did have a couple of breakaways which was always going to happen given the fact that Bilbao had to go for it from the off meaning that there would be sapces to exploit, much like most of the season, United failed to make the most of great openings.
And then, the inevitable.
Half an hour in and Ernesto Valverde sees his side take the lead. Some pretty weak defending from someone who is usually a stalwart at the back in Maguire. He lost out in the air before playing a poor pass from the second ball which went straight to a Bilbao player. Jauregizar then hit a purler from all of 25 yards out that went in the top corner. Onana once again, needs to be questioned for his saving technique. He should've done better.
That put us somewhat against the ropes with all those thoughts of us cocking up coming back.
However, Garnacho had a glorious opportunity to equalize but failed to hit the target after being put through one-on-one just minutes after that opener. A poor attempt at a lob went just wide when he should be scoring.
His finishing is not good enough. Luckily that didn't haunt us yet still, it could've done.
United managed to get to halftime just a goal down whch would've been disappointing to Amorim but wasn't the end of the world. A healthy 2-goal lead still stood and still meant that we were in the driver's seat.
The second half saw the Spaniards up the ante as they were in and around our box quite a lot during a 20-25 minute period after the restart.
What we were seeing from United was even more panic as the players began to give the ball away even more cheaply. Whereas in the first half United lost possession not long after regaining it, the second saw them give it away instantenously. We couldn't string two passes together.
This just increased Bilbao's confidence with Valverde's side inching closer to United's goal.
Fortunately for us our visitors never really threatened Onana.
Due to all of this pressure and lack of an attacking threat ourselves, Amorim decided to change things up as he brought on all of Mount, Amad and Shaw for Ugarte, Garnacho and Mazraoui with the Moroccan also on a second yellow.
And these substitutions were inspired.
When they came on with 30 minutes to go, it really changed the game. This is when United really began to take the game to Bilbao.
Just 10 minutes after coming on, Mount rolls back the years. Thinking he was playing for Chelsea, the MUFC no 7 made a beautiful Cruyff-turn before a Mainoo-like curler into the bottom corner to bring us back level on the night and pretty much seal the deal in the tie. A lovely finish but also a great assist by Yoro who moved like prime Xavi.
The second was added not long after and it was the man who needs his revival to be studied as Unc Casemiro grabbed his 2nd in two games against Athletic Club as he scored another header. A free-kick from captain Bruno found his teammate's head at the front post which ended up looping over the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
If Mount's goal didn't fully convince people that the tie was done, this by Casemiro certainly did.
We then saw United start to play with a bit of confidence for the first time in the game as the players looked to be having fun with the way they were popping the ball off.
This popping off lead to Amad and he does what he does, something that we've been missing since his injury in mid-February. When he gets the ball, things happen.
He got the ball, and things happened.
After another decent run by Yoro who played it out wide, Amad got the ball and took defenders on before playing a simple cross to Hojlund who had the easiest of tap-ins to see his name on the score sheet. Even he couldn't miss from there.
That is now 2 goals in his last three games. Hitting some form ahead of the final.
The scoring wasn't done there even if the tie was as Mount turned into Beckham with his second finish.
Bilbao's 'keeper rushes out for a sweeper clearance but doesn't get enough of it. The ball gets to Mount just inside his half and hit the sweetest left-foot finish you will ever see from that distance into an empty net. Not an easy strike by any means yet was made to look so by a player who's had his demons with the Devils.
That rounded off the scoring with United in the end, giving Bilbao a bit of a hiding with a 4-1 win on the night and 7-1 win on aggregate. So much for the best defense in La Liga.
Ruben Amorim will be over the moon at reaching the final yet will have his reservations about his side's overall performance.
In his press conference, he spoke about how they focused on the first 30 minutes in Spain rather than the following hour after Athletic Club had a man sent off. I think he'll probably do the same for this one although the time stamps will be reversed.
That first hour was nothing short of shaky, suspect and submissive as his players didn't look at the races.
Once those changes were made though, nobody can have any complaints as they were game changers.
Amorim deserves a lot of credit for those substitutions as I'm not sure many would've agreed with him. They were correct and were the reason why we saw the game out without much stress.
He would've also been delighted at the returns of some players like Amad, Shaw and Mount who've hardly played recently; the fact that a player like Hojlund got a goal as he is a player that the manager speaks highly of; and we saw Casemiro continue his revival.
All focus will now shift to the final but as for the moment, he and we all should enjoy this win.
Ratings
Onana - 6
Lindelof - 6
Maguire - 6
Yoro - 7.5
Mazraoui - 6
Ugarte - 6
Casemiro - 8 MOTM
Dorgu - 6
Garnacho - 5.5
Bruno - 6
Hojlund - 6
Amad - 7
Mount - 8
Shaw - 6
Mainoo - 6
Amass - 6
Ruben Amorim - 8
Final Thoughts
WE'RE INTO THE FINAL 🙌!
I feel like that's all that needs to be said.
The game itself for the most part was pretty disappointing as that performance was not what we wanted to see in such a crunch game.
But man, am I soooooooooo happy and excited about being in the final. Of course we could lose but until then, all I want to see is positivity. Positive energy breeds positive energy and it attracts positive energy.
That's all we need for that game because we will be going through the motions once more.
We also need to enjoy it because this is what football is all about, this is why we watch it: the BIG games.
I'm just so happy that the season isn't over and we still have something to look forward to. We obviously have to up our game but with players returning and the fact that we've been in finals recently, I do feel somewhat confident for that final.
LET'S WIN THIS THING!!!!!!!!
Mason Mount scores a brace in Man Utd's 4-1 win over Athletic Club | Mason Mount: Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)