Ruben Amorim expressed his joy for Mason Mount, who scored twice to help Manchester United secure a 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao. This win confirmed their spot in the Europa League final.
Mikel Jauregizar’s impressive first-half goal had given Athletic hope of a comeback at Old Trafford. However, Mount’s goals, along with those from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund, ensured a 7-1 aggregate win.
Mount’s performance marked his first brace in European competition since scoring for Chelsea against Real Madrid in April 2022. Three of his five European goals have come in semi-finals. Speaking to TNT Sports, Amorim praised Mount: “I’m so happy for him. He is such a player. He works really hard, he has quality.”
Amorim also highlighted Kobbie Mainoo’s brief but effective appearance: “I really like Kobbie Mainoo, just 10 minutes [he played], but everything he did was really good.” He added that players like Mount inspire others with their dedication and work ethic. “When you see that kind of guy like Mason working hard every day, eating well, having ice baths, when you have this kind of player, you just want to help him,” Amorim said.
Mount himself reflected on the significance of the night: “It was too long [waiting for a night like that]. I carried on going, working hard in training every day and tried to stay positive.” He described it as his best night in a Manchester United shirt and relished scoring his first goals at Old Trafford.
The match saw United struggle for 70 minutes before Mount’s introduction changed the game. Amorim became the first manager since Thomas Tuchel to reach a major European final in his debut season with an English club. Despite domestic challenges, he acknowledged the team’s progress: “We did quite well in Europe, but we are struggling in the Premier League.”
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Amorim admitted feeling stressed about the upcoming final against Tottenham on May 21 at San Mames: “I’m stressed already because of the final. If we don’t do it, it means nothing.” Yet he remains optimistic about their chances and appreciates the fans’ support during a challenging season.
Returning to Bilbao holds special meaning for Mount as he aims to finish strongly: “To go back to Bilbao is a special moment, and we want to finish strongly.” His determination reflects the team’s resolve to succeed despite earlier struggles.