Mason Mount’s hard work was on full display as he sealed a 4-1 victory for Man U over Athletic Bilbao to book a place in the Europa League Conference final.
Coming on as a substitute in the second half, Mount scored twice to help his side cruise to a 7-1 aggregate win, booking their spot in the final against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 26-year-old midfielder wasted no time making an impact, finding the back of the net just 10 minutes after his introduction, before adding another in stoppage time to cap off a performance that was as crucial as it was impressive.
Mount’s journey to this moment hasn’t been easy. Since joining United in 2023, he’s faced a series of frustrating injuries, including a head knock in September that kept him sidelined for over a month and a muscle issue that forced him to miss the first part of 2024. However, his persistence never wavered.
Having netted his first Premier League goal of the season just days earlier in a dramatic 4-3 loss to Brentford, Mount’s brace in Bilbao became a symbol of his commitment to overcome adversity. His two goals in a European knockout match made him the first United substitute to achieve this feat since David Beckham’s iconic performance against Real Madrid in 2003.
United coach Ruben Amorim was quick to praise Mount’s work ethic and quality. “He’s the kind of player that gives everything, whether he’s fit or not,” Amorim said in his post-match comments. “Seeing Mason push through injuries and continue to work on his fitness day in, day out is inspiring. He’s not just a midfielder – he has the dynamism of a winger too.”
Mount’s teammate, Rasmus Hojlund, also expressed admiration for his resilience. “Mason’s had to deal with a lot of injuries, but his mindset has always been about getting back on the pitch. He’s shown nothing but positivity, and today he showed everyone what he’s capable of,” said Hojlund.
As United now look ahead to their Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on May 21 at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, Mount’s comeback story serves as a reminder of the value of perseverance, and the rewards that come with hard work.
