Mason Mount ended 20 months of torment with a brilliant second half double as Manchester United booked an all-English Europa League final with Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.
On an anxious, nervy, mistake-ridden night at Old Trafford, fingernails were starting to get chewed at the sight of the home side making it so hard for themselves despite starting the second-leg of their semi-final with Athletic Bilbao holding a three-goal advantage.
But Mount chose exactly the right time to step up.
Beset by a succession of injuries that have limited the England man to just 10 Premier League starts since his £55m move from Chelsea in 2023, Mount had only been on the pitch 10 minutes when he turned onto Leny Yoro’s short pass inside the Bilbao penalty area.
Mount’s strike was true and arrowed into the far corner.
It was his third United goal but it was by far the most important and ended lingering fears the visitors might become the first side in 134 attempts in Uefa competitions to overturn a three-goal first leg deficit away from home.
But there was more to come.
After Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund had steered United into a winning lead, Mount pounced on a loose ball 45 yards out and floated a superb shot into an empty net.
The goal capped a memorable Old Trafford night and maintained United’s unbeaten record in the competition.
The final outcome was harsh on the Spanish visitors, who were the better side for long periods and led at half-time thanks to Mikel Jauregizar’s magnificent 30-yard effort.
That did not matter to the home fans at the final whistle as they will now get a shot at salvaging their season against the Premier League’s other great underachievers.
Mount makes his mark after months of frustration
The smile across Mount’s face as he took part in a walk of honour with the rest of his team-mates at the end of the game told its own story about the 26-year-old’s stalled career.
An integral part of the England side that reached the final of Euro 2020, Mount’s career has never got going following his move north from Chelsea in 2023.
Injury has followed injury and frustration has piled on frustration.
Yet United head coach Ruben Amorim has said on more than one occasion that Mount could be just the right man to fit his system, either in one of the two advanced attacking roles or in midfield.
Others have been more sceptical and even on this latest comeback, which began five weeks ago, there have been precious few signs of the talent of old.
How much of a weight is lifted off Mount’s shoulders with his double effort remains to be seen.
But both finishes underlined an inherent confidence that has been retained despite all the doubts repeated setbacks bring.
Mount can only hope it marks a screeching U-turn on what has gone before.
[BBC]