Manchester United players' full time reactions vs Athletic Bilbao show their changing mentality

The Manchester United followers in the away end bellowed ‘Cause United are going to Bilbao’. Many of them will have booked planes and hotels already.

It is Spanish sides that are supposed to have a love affair with the Europa League. This United cannot get enough of it.

United have mustered 12 goals in 12 Premier League games. Athletic Bilbao boast La Liga’s tightest defence. Ruben Amorim selected eight defensive players. United were 3-0 up at half-time. Work that one out.

They have plundered 15 goals in five knockout ties. United are a different beast in the Europa League and they reserved their most accomplished performance against the tournament favourites in their own back yard.

Spanish teams have been responsible for United's last six knockout losses and that streak is set to stop against the team that promises they are 'never gonna stop'. The rendition of Amorim’s chant sounded more factual than hopeful. On this evidence, he is turning things around and United may yet have a glory day in May.

Amorim was still demanding in the 75th minute, still prone to crouching down. Last season, United threw away two-goal leads in Copenhagen and Istanbul. Coventry recovered from 3-0 down in that farcical FA Cup semi-final. For all this team’s flaws, they are not as chaotic and the 3-4-2-1 set-up provided a solid structure for United to protect their advantage in the second half.

United had a deep bench to draw from. Matthijs de Ligt and Amad were back in the squad and back on the pitch. Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount emerged. United’s strong position has undeniably been strengthened by their substitutes.

There was no over-celebrating at full-time from the United squad. Victory had been assured for practically an hour