Man Utd and Spurs bring home the bacon to set up sizzling Europa League final and winner-takes-all £100MILLION showdown
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One team has the edge going into the final
UNDER-FIRE bosses Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou will face off in a tasty first all-English Euro final for six years.
Two Mason Mount wonder strikes, plus further Old Trafford goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund completed Manchester United’s 7-1 aggregate Europa League semi-final demolition of Athletic Bilbao.
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While Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro sealed Tottenham’s 2-0 win on Bodo/Glimt’s plastic pitch to complete a 5-1 aggregate win and the full English.
United manager Amorim and Spurs chief Postecoglou will now meet in a mouth-watering winner-takes-all showdown back in Bilbao in 12 days.
For the Aussie, it might be his last ever game in charge of the club, with it believed he could be sacked even if they win.
A delighted Mount said: “My first goals at Old Trafford, so it’s a special night. One I’ve waited for, for a long time.
“It’s been difficult since I’ve been here with the injuries and setbacks.
“But I knew something good would come and it’s paid off in a semi-final.
“It was a brilliant performance from the lads. And getting that goal to make it 1-1 calmed us down a bit. I just tried to come on and affect the game.”
Mount’s second was a David Beckham-esque long-range shot.He added: “As I saw the keeper come out I had it in my head, ‘First touch and shoot’.
“The crowd has been unbelievable. They stuck with us. To go back to Bilbao, a special night and we want to finish strong.”
Both clubs have suffered woeful Prem seasons but the victors are guaranteed a Champions League spot - and the £100million bounty that comes with it.
MANCHESTER UNITED all-but booked their spot in the Europa League final a week ago.
And, despite a brief first-half wobble, it was never really in doubt at Old Trafford on Thursday night as the Red Devils secured a comeback 4-1 win at home over Athletic Bilbao.
Mikel Jaureguizar sent a nervous shiver around the ground with his fine effort on the half-hour mark.
United struggled to click and no doubt some feared of an almighty collapse.
But, when Ruben Amorim turned to the bench, it made all the difference - as Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount were all involved in Mount’s delightful equaliser.
Casemiro scored with a clever header and even Rasmus Hojlund got in on the act to tap in.
Then Mount finish the job in style with his long-range effort into an empty net. Smiles all round.
Now United have an all-English blockbuster with Spurs later this month to save their dreadful season.
Roll on, Bilbao…
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Ruben Amorim’s men at Old Trafford…
This means that England will have SIX representatives in Europe's premier competition next season.
The feat has never been achieved before by any nation competing in the competition.
It will be extra remarkable as both clubs are guaranteed to finish in the bottom half of the Prem.
Combined they have lost 35 league games this season but have remained impressive in European competition.
And Amorim said: “I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t win it, it’s nothing.”
It will be Tottenham’s first Euro final since suffering a heartbreak 2-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool in 2019 — the same year Chelsea KO’d Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League showpiece.
Spurs had a 3-1 lead from the first leg but romped to another win on the night thanks to goals from Solanke and Porro.
Solanke said: “It feels so good. We’re down to the business end and we’re into the final. One more game to go!”
Spaniard Porro added: “We’re very happy for the fans — it’s so far from London. We deserved this.”
Spurs will have the edge going into the final, having won all three encounters with United this season.
Here is a look at Spurs' record vs Manchester United from this season.
- PL - Man United 0-3 Spurs - Sept 29, 2024
- EFL Cup - Spurs 4-3 Man United - Dec 19, 2024
- PL - Spurs 1-0 Man United - Feb 16, 2025
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