Mason Mount on Thursday night toasted his finest moment in a Manchester United shirt after his brace ensured safe passage to the Europa League final.
United found themselves playing with fire when they fell behind on the night against Athletic Club after a stunning strike from Mikel Jauregizar.
But Ruben Amorim’s substitutions changed the game and Mount, along with Amad Diallo, came on to steal the show on another memorable European night at Old Trafford.
It has been tough for Mount with injuries derailing much of his progress since he arrived for £55million in the summer of 2023.
‘It was too long [waiting for a night like that],’ Mount told TNT Sports as the Stratford End chanted his name.
‘I carried on going, working hard in training every day and tried to stay positive and when I had an opportunity to try to make an impact.
Mason Mount bagged his first Manchester United goals at Old Trafford on an electric evening
Mount opened the scoring for the hosts before confirming the win with a sumptuous late strike
Mount has battled injuries since his move from west London and is keen to return to form
‘Today it paid off and I came on and affected the game. It was a tight game when I came on, I just tried to calm it down.’
Mount got his first goal of the season last weekend as one of eight changes in the 4-3 defeat at Brentford and he made it three in two with his brace here.
His first was a brilliant curling effort inside the box and his second even more spectacular after scoring from close to halfway with the Athletic goalkeeper way out of his goal.
‘When I saw him [the goalkeeper] come out I had it in my head if it comes to me, “first touch and shoot”,’ Mount explained.
‘I didn’t want it to come on my left foot and then I was just trying to get it on target, same with the first goal, create the turn and try to get it in the net.
‘The crowd has been unbelievable, they have stuck with us. For me, these were my first goals at Old Trafford, a night I’ve been waiting a long time for.
‘To go back to Bilbao is a special moment and we want to finish strongly.’
