Man United reach Europa League final after dispatching Athletic Bilbao
Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2025 Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2025 Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui in action with Athletic Bilbao's Unai Gomez Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff REUTERS
Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2025 Manchester United's Casemiro celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2025 Manchester United's Mason Mount celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Harry Maguire Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff REUTERS
Soccer Football - Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 8, 2025 Manchester United's Mason Mount scores their first goal REUTERS/Scott Heppell
MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United booked their berth in the Europa League final after a 4-1 semi-final win Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, with Mason Mount scoring twice to hand the hosts a 7-1 aggregate win and a chance for the beleaguered team to hoist some silverware this season.
United, who are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, kicked off the night with a comfortable cushion thanks to their stunning 3-0 victory a week earlier in Bilbao.
But Mikel Jauregizar put Athletic on the score sheet in the 31st minute after a terrible clearance attempt by Harry Maguire landed at the Spaniard's feet and he unleashed a blistering shot from outside the box into the top corner.
Mount drew United level in the 72nd minute, latching onto a pass from Leny Yoro before turning and firing past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Casemiro headed home from a free kick seven minutes later, and Rasmus Hojlund put the game out of reach in the 85th when Amad Diallo cut the ball back from the byline into the six-yard box and the Dane tapped into an empty net.
Mount completed his double in added time when he spotted Agirrezabala well out of his net and fired a shot from just inside the visitors' half.
United, the Europa League champions in 2017, will play Tottenham Hotspur in an all-Premier League final on May 21 at Bilbao's San Mames Stadium. REUTERS
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