Manchester United delivered a commanding performance at Old Trafford, defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final to secure a 7-1 aggregate victory.
The Red Devils, under the stewardship of head coach Ruben Amorim, have booked their place in the final against Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, set for May 21, 2025, at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium.
The emphatic result underscores United’s dominance in Europe this season, despite their struggles in the domestic campaign.
Following a stunning 3-0 victory in the first leg at San Mames, Manchester United entered the second leg with a commanding lead. The opening exchanges saw Athletic Bilbao, desperate to overturn the deficit, start brightly.
Mikel Jauregizar gave the visitors a glimmer of hope with a well-taken goal in the 31st minute, briefly igniting dreams of a historic comeback. However, United’s depth and composure ensured there would be no collapse.
The second half belonged to the hosts. Mason Mount, coming off the bench, equalized in the 72nd minute with a clinical finish, restoring United’s three-goal aggregate cushion.
Casemiro, a standout performer across both legs, added a second in the 80th minute, heading in from a set-piece to further deflate Bilbao’s spirits.
Rasmus Højlund, who earned a penalty in the first leg, got on the scoresheet in the 85th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. Mount capped off the night with his second goal in stoppage time (90+1), rounding out a 4-1 rout that sent Old Trafford into raptures.
United’s European Resurgence Amid Domestic Woes
Manchester United’s Europa League campaign has been a stark contrast to their dismal Premier League season, where they languish in 15th place with only two points separating them from the relegation zone.
The Red Devils have scored more goals in their seven Europa League matches (19) than in their 15 Premier League games (18) this calendar year, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion in Europe.
Ruben Amorim, who took over mid-season, has instilled a sense of belief in his young squad, which ranks as the sixth-youngest in the Premier League. Despite early nerves – exemplified by Patrick Dorgu’s struggles in the first leg – United have remained unbeaten in European competition, with eight wins and five draws.
Amorim praised his team’s resilience, stating, “The result is really good, but we had to fight for it. Bilbao are a strong side, and we needed our fans and our focus to finish the job. Now we prepare for the final.”
Athletic Bilbao’s Dream Shattered
Athletic Bilbao, sitting fourth in La Liga and on course for Champions League qualification, had harbored hopes of reaching their first-ever European final at their home stadium.
The club’s policy of fielding only Basque-born or developed players made the prospect of a home final especially poignant. However, United’s clinical performance in the first leg, coupled with Vivian’s red card, proved insurmountable.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde lamented the red card’s impact, saying, “The sending-off hurt us a lot because it conditioned the game. Eleven against eleven, we were better.” Despite the loss, captain Óscar de Marcos remained defiant, vowing to fight for a comeback, but the second-leg defeat ended their European aspirations.
The Final: Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, a clash that promises to be a defining moment for both clubs.
Spurs secured their place with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt, winning the first leg 3-1 at home and holding firm in the second leg. Like United, Tottenham have endured a torrid Premier League season, sitting 16th with a club-record 19 losses.
The final, set for May 21 at San Mames, will see two underperforming Premier League giants vie for European glory and a coveted Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season.
UEFA has confirmed that the venue will not change, despite the all-English matchup, with each team allocated up to 15,000 tickets. Demand is expected to far exceed supply, and Bilbao’s hospitality infrastructure will be tested by the influx of fans.
Tottenham, led by Ange Postecoglou, will rely on the likes of Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski, while United will look to Fernandes, Højlund, and the returning Amad Diallo to deliver. The matchup marks the first all-English Europa League final since Arsenal faced Chelsea in 2019.
Manchester United’s victory marks their return to the Europa League final for the first time since 2021, when they lost to Villarreal on penalties.
For United, winning the competition would not only salvage a disastrous season but also secure Champions League football, a remarkable feat given their potential to finish as low as 17th in the Premier League.
Tottenham, who last won a trophy in 2008, face similar stakes. A Europa League triumph would restore pride and end their trophy drought, offering a lifeline for Postecoglou’s project.
Historically, no team has lost a UEFA Cup or Europa League tie after winning the first leg away by three or more goals, a statistic that bodes well for United’s confidence heading into the final.
As Manchester United prepare for the final, Amorim will focus on maintaining momentum while navigating a congested domestic schedule. The return of Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt from injury bolsters their options, but the potential sale of Alejandro Garnacho for Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) reasons looms as a concern.
For Athletic Bilbao, the focus shifts to securing a top-four finish in La Liga and reflecting on a European campaign that promised much but ended in disappointment. The club’s fans, while heartbroken, will take pride in hosting the final and showcasing Basque football to the world.
The stage is set for a blockbuster final in Bilbao, where Manchester United and Tottenham will battle not just for silverware but for redemption. With both teams desperate to salvage their seasons, the San Mames will bear witness to a clash of pride, passion, and Premier League pedigree.
