Manchester United are going to Bilbao to compete in the Europa League final after beating Athletic Club in the semi-finals.
It has been a difficult first six months in charge for Ruben Amorim, but his Manchester United side breezed past Athletic Club with a 3-1 win in the second leg at Old Trafford. The Red Devils already held a three-goal advantage from the first leg and the Spanish side were only able to manage to score one goal over the two legs.
That goal, in the second leg, was cancelled out after Mason Mount came off the bench to score his first-ever strike at Old Trafford. He would go on to complete a brace and inspire United to a 4-1 victory, with Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund also getting on the scoresheet.
Now, the stress of preparing for the Europa League final faces United. Amorim will be trying to avoid any more injury setbacks for the remainder of the season, with Matthijs de Ligt recently listed as a doubt for the eagerly awaited final in Bilbao.
Leny Yoro wants to follow in the footsteps of three Man Utd legends
United centre-back Leny Yoro has another performance to be proud of against Athletic Club.
The young defender, who is still in his first season at United following a transfer from Lille last summer, missed the beginning of the campaign due to a pre-season injury.
Yoro has since cemented his place in the team, with his ball-playing attributes showcased yet again against Athletic Club, especially when his assist set up Mount for a wonderful goal in the second half.
Speaking to respected journalist Andy Mitten after the match, Yoro explained his thinking as he brought the ball towards Athletic Club’s penalty area before passing the ball to Mount.
“I’ve tried to bring the ball forward to help the team to score goals,” Yoro told The National. “I managed to pass to Mason and he did well. We’re happy with the win.”
Now, Yoro has a chance to win a trophy in his first season as a United player. It would be a remarkable achievement for a 19-year-old to win a European Cup and the French starlet could make that happen in a United shirt in Bilbao.
Yoro named three legendary defenders, who all played for United, he looks up to after all the trophies they won throughout their careers. They include Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Raphael Varane.
“I’m still a young player but on the pitch this [pressure] means nothing. When you join a big club like Man United you must settle quickly because the fans are waiting for you, even with a big transfer like I had. I feel confident. I’m 100 per cent focused on the game. If you put too pressure on yourself you cannot play your game so I just think about the game, that’s it.
“I come to Man United to achieve big things, to win trophies, so when you see players like Rio Ferdinand, Vidic, Varane you want to achieve the same things as them, stay in the memory of fans and be a big defender. When they compare me to them, it’s a real honour, I’m proud of this. I’m trying to be the best I can.”
Winning the Europa League at 19 would put Yoro in a strong position to follow in the footsteps of great United defenders who came before him. It’s not hard to see why United fans are excited by last season’s signing.
Alarming Yoro statistic from Athletic Club victory
Yoro hardly put a foot wrong in United’s second-leg win over Athletic Club.
Over 90 minutes, Yoro recorded an assist and had an 88% pass success rate, touching the ball 65 times and making four passes into the final third.
However, it was intriguing to rediscover that Yoro was also fouled more times (4) than any other player on the pitch.
It’s a weapon in United’s armour to have a defender who is an extremely talented ball carrier. The sky is the limit for Yoro.
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