When Manchester United looked to be on the ropes against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night, it was the substitutions made by Ruben Amorim that enabled them to fight back and land the knockout blow.
United still had a two-goal advantage following Mikel Jauregizar’s stunning long-range strike in the first-half. But playing without any real semblance of authority, there was reason for a few nervous faces around Old Trafford.
The subs changed that. Mason Mount was brought onto replace Manuel Ugarte with the game largely passing the Uruguayan by. It enabled Bruno Fernandes to drop into a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro. Amad Diallo meanwhile replaced Alejandro Garnacho in the other no10 role.
The impact was instant with Amad repeatedly terrorising the Ahletic defence from the right, providing the assist for Hojlund with his sublime skill also helping create Mount’s equaliser.
Mount ended 20 months of torment, seizing his moment with that wonderful strike 10 minutes after coming off the bench, adding further gloss with an audacious second from 45 yards out late on.
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With Amad and Mount on the pitch with Fernandes also still on the scene in a deeper role, the level of United’s technical quality instantly shot up, also aided by the presence of Luke Shaw on the left Everything was quicker, crisper and cleaner.
Mount could be undroppable now he’s fit and scoring
The smile on Ruben Amorim’s face after Mount’s second told the whole story and the United head coach will be desperate to keep him fit for the trip back to Bilbao later this month after declaring him ‘perfect’ for the position he was deployed in last night.
‘I’m so happy for him. He is such a player. He works really hard, he has quality,’ Amorim said. ‘When you see that kind of guy like Mason working hard every day, eating well, having ice baths, when you have this kind of player you just want to help him. He is perfect for this position as he can be a midfielder, but also runs like a winger so I’m really happy for him.’
This wasn’t the first time Amorim has showered Mount with the highest of praise and has been smitten with the former Chelsea star since his arrival in Manchester. If Mount remains fit, it is difficult to envisage his manager leaving him out.
Garnacho to drop out for Amad
Prior to the ankle injury that was initially feared to have ended his season, there was a strong case for Amad being United’s player of the season under Amorim. Having also scored off the bench against Brentford at the weekend, he has returned without missing a beat.
It raises the question who would be sacrificed to ensure he and Mount start against Tottenham.
Deploying Fernandes in a deeper role alongside Casemiro opens up one slot. But someone else needs to make way.
Garnacho has firmly re-established himself in Amorim’s plans after being dropped from the squad last December and has started all but one of United’s last nine matches in the Premier League and every one of their Europa League knockout ties.
The Argentina international’s decision to sit alongside his manager at a press conference on Wednesday reflected his growing maturity with Amorim again effusive in his praise for the 20-year-old.
But Amad’s availability once again changes things. No player, including Garnacho, has the ability to beat his man with bewildering skill and pace like the Ivorian. Despite not starting a game since February, he remains United’s second top scorer this season. After Erik ten Hag repeatedly made mistakes with Amad’s game time, it seems unlikely Amorim will repeat those.
Shaw and de Ligt could also come in
Elsewhere in the side, Shaw’s impressive cameo could see him push for a starting role – fitness pending of course, as has become the norm for the England international.
Victor Lindelof, out of contract at the end of the season, was a bag of nerves in the first-half and Amorim will be desperate to have Matthijs de Ligt back for the all-English final on 21 May in Bilbao.