Manchester United thrashed Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final second leg as well to notch a comprehensive 7-1 win on aggregate to reach the finals.
Despite falling a goal behind at Old Trafford on Thursday, the Red Devils came back in the second half to put four past La Liga’s meanest defence, sending a message to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the final.
Ruben Amorim’s second-half triple change turned the complexion of the tie as substitute Mason Mount grabbed a brace, while another sub, Amad, produced magic out on the right to lay it on a plate for Rasmus Hojlund to score. Casemiro got on the scoresheet as well.
It was not an easy game with the Spanish side dominating most of the first-half and at the start of the second half so the home side had to weather the storm at times.
Yoro was flawless Athletic’s only goal came from a mistake from Harry Maguire while Victor Lindelof was his usual panicky self. But despite his senior teammates struggling, Leny Yoro stood tall on the night.
He put in a near flawless defensive display, putting his body and head where it hurt, while he was brave with his use of the ball as he broke the lines with his passing while he carried the ball forward whenever he had the opportunity.
“We need to play this competition honestly, we need to win this trophy”
Leny Yoro acknowledges that Champions League football isn’t a want for Man United, but a need
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Amorim wants to see more of this from his defence and the Frenchman provided just that on the night. After the game, TNT Sports caught up with him and despite being only 19, he was pretty mature and measured with his responses.
When asked on how it felt to reach the final, he said, “We know the job is not finished so we try to stay focussed. But we will enjoy this night because we won.”
Great to win It has been a disappointing campaign for the 20-time English league champions, especially domestically, something Yoro admitted, though he praised the team’s form in Europe. United are after all the only team to remain unbeaten in Europe all season.
“Honestly, I cannot tell you. We have been good in the Europa League, not so good in the league. We will try and improve in the Premier League but we are really happy to be in the final of the Europa League.
“This competition has helped us to improve on some things. Premier League is really tough, so is Europa but it is different as well play different teams from different countries.”
There have been claims that Yoro always wanted to move to Real Madrid instead of Old Trafford but the 19-year-old put the record straight after the game in emphatic fashion.
Proud to be at United “I thank god everyday for being at United and to play football for this club. I’m really proud.”
And on the final, Yoro admitted that playing Spurs again would be strange but that the team is focussed fully on qualifying for the Champions League next season.
“We know Tottenham really well, and we know it is not going to be easy. It will feel almost like the Premier League but it is a final and I hope we can win.
“It is very important for us to play Champions League next season, the best competition in the world. We need to win this trophy and we will give everything to do it.”
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
