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This match meant everything to Manchester United’s season, the one that could save it from oblivion. Amid the Sir Jim Ratcliffe penny-pinching, there was budget for pyrotechnics to complement the tifos and raucous chanting from both sets of fans to create a glorious backdrop for what could be one of the final great European nights at Old Trafford.
With plans in place to knock down the Theatre of Dreams and replace it with a 100,000-capacity stadium in as soon as five years and the current United squad going through a transition under Ruben Amorim, the prospect of reaching the final four in major competitions before the final brick is laid is not guaranteed.
They used to be the norm. From George Best seeing off Real Madrid in the first leg of the European Cup semi-final in 1968 to Paul Scholes rifling the ball into the top corner against Barcelona 40 years later, the stadium has created a plethora of continental memories.
Those days are far behind and, even with thousands of supporters having already booked flights for the final in Bilbao, United did not look like taking the easy return route to northern Spain and a battle with Tottenham for a Champions League place until a late flurry of goals.
On arrival, it felt as though even the Premier League’s 15th-best team could not mess up a three-goal lead from a week ago. The almost 4,000 Athletic Bilbao fans in one corner, who had spent the day learning about Samuel Smith’s beer in the city centre, were eager to know there was still a tie on the line. The bufandas (scarves) were swung around heads and ikurrinas (the Basque flags) were put on display across the hoardings by those in txapelas (the traditional berets). When the retiring club legend Óscar de Marcos was sent to warm up, he demanded an increase in intensity from the fans and his fist pumping was met with robust roars.
The noise levels were matched by the intensity on the pitch from the two sides. United were looking to close down Athletic in the early stages but they became sloppy and the Basques made the most of the space they were given.
If the majority were expecting a walkover, they did not plan for the Basques’ anglicised spirit from a club who can boast a La Liga-winning manager from Hazel Grove, William Garbutt in 1935-36. Athletic were willing to use every potential opportunity as United creaked under the weight of expectation. Errors were committed in the buildup to the opener, although Mikel Jauregizar’s curling shot from 25 yards into the top corner created a small eruption.
This is not the United of Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and Scholes, they are still finding an identity under Amorim. When things are against them, strength of character is not always at the forefront of their thinking. But if atmospheres in the league have lacked enthusiasm and decibels, this was not the case. The supporters recognised the need to back their players, as was happening in the away end.
Tension grew as Athletic were on top, requiring United to find fortitude. If the hosts were hoping for a reset at half-time, it did not look forthcoming. Loose passes were putting them in trouble and only the failings of Athletic, hampered by the absence of creative trio Iñaki and Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet, meant André Onana was left untroubled.
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United have beaten only the now relegated Southampton and Ipswich at Old Trafford in the league since 1 December. Playing at home is not the joy it was in the days when most opponents were defeated in the tunnel beforehand.
Álex Berenguer was able to wander into space unchallenged as United lost their discipline and nerves abounded inside Old Trafford. Amid the cacophony, United needed leaders to calm things down but tranquility was hard to find in a team packed with experience as Manuel Ugarte forgot how to play a simple pass and Casemiro was booked for a late challenge, leaving Amorim to put Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role to steady the ship.
Amorim’s trio of changes added the experience of Luke Shaw and Mason Mount plus the dribbling skills of Amad Diallo to turn the tide in United’s favour, as Athletic faded physically. For all of Mount’s struggles in Manchester, few doubt the quality he possesses and he has a fine European CV. When others were failing to keep their heads, Mount remained calm to swivel and level the score with an expert finish, followed up by Casemiro’s ingenuity, Rasmus Højlund’s tap-in and Mount’s encore to rock Old Trafford.
A vintage European night on the pitch it was not, despite the scoreline, but everyone inside Old Trafford made it into one. It might not have been the parade United had envisaged when the clouds of red smoke were rising into the sky before kick-off but it offers a potential route back to more great Champions League nights before the curtain closes at the theatre.
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