Mason Mount was hailed by pundits after his remarkable late double sealed Manchester United‘s place in the Europa League final.
A 4-1 win against Athletic Bilbao means United will face Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Bodø/Glimt, in the Europa League final on May 21 with both sides desperate to secure silverware to make up for deeply disappointing Premier League campaigns.
Mount scored his first goals at Old Trafford since moving to United in a £55million move in 2023 in front of a rapturous Stretford End.
The English midfielder had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes when he turned on Leny Yoro‘s pass before rifling the ball into the far right corner.
Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund then put the Red Devils 3-1 up on the night before the 26-year-old floated the ball into an empty net from 45 yards out.
TNT Sports pundits were full of praise for Mount, who has been beset by injury troubles in recent seasons, post-match.
Mason Mount was hailed by pundits after his remarkable late double against Athletic Bilbao
The 26-year-old midfielder scored his first two goals for Manchester United at Old Trafford
Mount, who has been plagued with injuries in recent years, joined Manchester United in 2023
Robbie Savage said: ‘I think it has been the best 30 minutes of his career. What a performance from Mason Mount.
‘The first goal is brilliant, the second magnificent. I said shoot, you could see the goalkeeper, the touch is brilliant but he drives it with his left, that in unbelievable.
‘We have seen Wayne Rooney do it – the best 30 minutes possibly of his life. The best half an hour on a football pitch.’
Mount won the Champions League and made 129 league appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge but has rarely featured since moving to Manchester.
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: ‘This is Chelsea Mason in terms of smart. That is Mason in a position he is comfortable in and he is a great finisher but if he is fit and healthy he can do it.
United legend Paul Scholes also heaped praise on the England international, who he claimed ‘looks perfect’ in Ruben Amorim’s system.
‘He will have a lot to offer if he is fit, that is the big issue, but get him up to speed and in this system too he looks perfect for one of the number 10 positions from now until the end of the season and kick on, they have a really good player.’
Amorim’s side sit in 15th place, two points ahead of West Ham in 17th, in the league with just three games remaining.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes also heaped praise on the former Chelsea midfielder
Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League final with a 7-1 aggregate win
Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund were also on the scoresheet as United won 4-1 on the night
However, a victory against Spurs will seal Champions League qualification and see Amorim picking up European silverware in his maiden season.
The United boss lavished praise on Mount after his brace.
‘It is important for every player, when you see that kind of guy working hard every day, eating well, resting, ice bath, when you have these kind of players you just want to help them and he can run like a winger and play with his back to goal,’ he said.
Meanwhile, speaking post-match Mount said: ‘It has been difficult since I have been here with injuries and setbacks and I knew something good was going to come and tonight it has paid off. It was a brilliant performance, we knew they would attack us but to get the first goal calmed us down.
‘It has been too long but I carried on going working hard in training every day and tried to stay positive, when I have the opportunity to come on I try and come on and calm the game down and have an impact
‘As I saw him come out I was in front of my midfielder I had in my head first touch and shoot, I didn’t mean for it to go on my left but I saw the defender was away so to get it on target really. The first one was instinct.
‘The crowd has been unbelievable, they have stuck with us, my first goals here so a special night, one I have waited for a a long time and to go back to Bilbao is special.’