Manchester United ensured a late salvo vs Athletic Club ended the Basque team’s flailing efforts of a comeback in their 4-1 win.
The 7-1 win on aggregate sends Man Utd into the Europa League final, with everything at stake against fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham.
Man Utd have now scored 35 goals this season in the Europa League, almost as many as they have in the Premier League so far.
Still, from the four scored vs Athletic, one was extra special for Ruben Amorim and he couldn’t hide it, addressing the same after the game.
Ruben Amorim loved one Man Utd goal in particular
As the team gets increasingly used to playing in Amorim’s system, they have started showing glimpses of what could eventually be a deadly setup.
Be it the wing-backs combining with each other, or the No. 10s behind the striker dovetailing to create space and launch attacks, the signs are visible.
Some goals just feel right and promise a brighter future and one such goal was scored against Athletic which had Amorim stand up from his seat and beam.
However, it wasn’t for tactical or systematic reasons, but for the vindication of the horse he’s bet his entire reputation on – Mason Mount getting his second goal in injury time to seal the 4-1 win.
Amorim is generally reserved in his celebrations for goals but he made a massive exception for Mount’s second, looking visibly delighted, like the prophecy he had made for the player was finally coming true.
He said after the game: “Not just me, if you look at the bench, that is the best thing. If you look at the bench and they are so happy for Mason Mount.
“Everybody in that dressing room sees Mason Mount doing everything he can to be available. He’s a really good player. Not just me, but his teammates were so happy for him.”
Mason Mount resurgence is a huge win for Ruben Amorim too
It goes without saying that the credit for Mount’s performance should largely lie with the player, who’s done everything he can to turn it around.
Having said that, Amorim’s unwavering support for the player also has a lot to do with the resurgence because Mount was a player completely devoid of confidence.
Amorim singled him out for praise from the very first day, praised his intangibles, and stood by him in the toughest moments, leading to the player wanting to pay back that trust.
He finally did that against Athletic and it should be the start of his Man Utd career in the best fashion because it’s all been stop-start until now.
Amorim deserves huge credit for it as well and Mount’s resurgence will make his position in the dressing room stronger. He knows a good player when he sees one, even when nobody else sees it.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
