Manchester United welcomed Athletic Club to Old Trafford looking to secure their place in the Europa League final.
Andre Onana began in nets with a back three of Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Noussair Mazraoui kept his place in spite of Amad returning to full fitness and Patrick Dorgu started at left wing back.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte retained their status as United’s current first choice midfield duo and Bruno Fernandes started alongside Alejandro Garnacho.
Rasmus Hojlund once again got the nod in the number nine position after being rested at the weekend versus Brentford.
Here are four things we learnt from the match.
Maguire still has a mistake in him
Harry Maguire has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance lately and was rightfully celebrated after scoring the crucial late winner versus Olympique Lyonnais in the last round.
He has also played an important part in United’s defence with the injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans and lately Matthijs de Ligt.
Nonetheless, he has not fully turned the corner and supporters saw the worst of Maguire in the first half.
Athletic Club’s opening goal was a spectacular strike but they should never have been given the opportunity to score it.
The ball was played aimlessly forward and Maguire, under no pressure, failed to pick out Yoro and gifted possession to the visitors, who promptly took advantage and put the ball in the back of the net.
Maguire has improved but this was a reminder that he cannot be the long-term first eleven solution for this football club.
Mason Mount’s big United moment finally arrives
The big summer signing of 2023 has had two injury-blighted seasons at Old Trafford and is often the forgotten man by United fans.
He came back from injury last month and he has been slowly eased into the first team.
Mount scored a well-taken goal at the weekend but his stupendous strikes make tonight without doubt the highlight of his United career to date.
The home side were holding on with Athletic Club in the ascendency but Mount’s excellent swivel and pinpoint curling finish restored their three goal cushion with 20 minutes to go.
He put an exclamation point on a wonderful 4-1 win victory a stunning long range effort from almost the half-way line.
Amorim has always been a big believer in the capabilities of the England international and United fans will hope this is the start of him paying back his big transfer fee.
Yoro plays beyond his years
Despite being by far the youngest member of the starting back three, Yoro looked the most composed and ready for the big occasion.
Maguire struggled and Lindelof mixed positive with negative moments but the young French starlet was a rock at the back.
He also took responsibility late on to come forward with the ball and played a key role in Mount’s goal.
United have really got themselves a talent in this young man, who has managed to become an unquestionable starter in the team after just a few months in the country.
United through to another final
Amorim claimed that United fans would have to suffer despite their three goal lead from the first leg, and they certainly did in moments.
Overall, it was a professional performance from the Red Devils as they made their way into another European final.
It will be the club’s third Europa League final in eight years and they will be hoping they can go one better than they did against Villarreal in 2021.
Despite this being a far from vintage United team, it speaks volume of the size and expectation of the club that they are about to participate in their fourth final in just three seasons.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
