Manchester United secured their place in the Europa League final after a commanding 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on Thursday, sealing a 7-1 aggregate win following a 3-0 triumph in the first leg.

Bilbao initially took the lead in the 31st minute through Mikkel Hauriguesar, capitalizing on a defensive error. However, United overturned the deficit in the second half with four goals from substitute Mason Mount (71’, 90+1’), Casemiro (79’), and Rasmus Højlund (85’).

The final will be held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 21, and will feature an all-English clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who advanced after defeating Norway’s Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate.

This marks only the second time two English teams will meet in a Europa League final, the first being Chelsea vs. Arsenal in 2019. Tottenham have previously won the competition twice (1972, 1984), while United lifted the trophy in 2017.

The result provides a much-needed highlight in what has been a disastrous domestic season for United, who have suffered 16 league defeats — their highest tally in a Premier League season in 35 years. The club sits 15th in the table, level on points with champions Liverpool, though safe from relegation.

Key Match Highlights

United manager Rúben Amorim stuck with the same starting XI from the first leg, led by Portuguese captain Bruno Fernandes, who had scored twice in Bilbao. Meanwhile, Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde was without key players, including Nico and Iñaki Williams (injury) and Oihan Sancet, the club’s top scorer.

Bilbao’s opener came after a poor clearance from Harry Maguire, which led to Álvaro Djaló firing a shot that deflected off Lenny Yoro and reached Hauriguesar, who curled the ball past André Onana (31’).

Despite an earlier missed chance from Alejandro Garnacho, Amorim’s second-half substitutions proved decisive. Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Amad Diallo Traoré came on, replacing Manuel Ugarte, Noussair Mazraoui, and Garnacho.

Mount made an instant impact, controlling a pass from Yoro before curling in the equalizer (71’). Moments later, Casemiro headed home following a free-kick assist from Fernandes (79’), before being replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.

United’s third came through Højlund, who tapped in after a fluid team move for his sixth goal of the competition (85’). Mount completed the rout with a spectacular long-range strike from 35 meters after Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala miscleared the ball (90+1’).