AFP, Manchester :
Manchester United survived a sizeable scare to reach their first Europa League final after a nervy 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo on Thursday completed a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Marouane Fellaini’s 17th-minute header put United 2-0 up on aggregate, but Celta hit back late on through Facundo Roncaglia, who was then sent off along with United’s Eric Bailly following a centre-circle shoving contest.
United will play a youthful Ajax team in the final at Stockholm’s Friends Arena on May 24, when they can complete their trophy collection and- perhaps more importantly-book a place in next season’s Champions League.
“We suffered until the end and it was open until the last second,” United manager Jose Mourinho told BT Sport.
“After 14 matches we are in the final. If we win the Europa League I am more than happy. It would be amazing.”
Mourinho will have to do without influential centre-back Bailly, whose suspension leaves Chis Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind as United’s only available central defenders.
With Mourinho having publicly abandoned hope of a top-four finish in the Premier League, after his side fell four points off the Champions League berths, United’s season would have effectively been over had they gone out.
Instead they have a chance to add a second big trophy to the League Cup won in February and allow Mourinho to end a complicated maiden campaign as manager by winning the fourth major European honour of his career.
Manchester United survived a sizeable scare to reach their first Europa League final after a nervy 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo on Thursday completed a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Marouane Fellaini’s 17th-minute header put United 2-0 up on aggregate, but Celta hit back late on through Facundo Roncaglia, who was then sent off along with United’s Eric Bailly following a centre-circle shoving contest.
United will play a youthful Ajax team in the final at Stockholm’s Friends Arena on May 24, when they can complete their trophy collection and- perhaps more importantly-book a place in next season’s Champions League.
“We suffered until the end and it was open until the last second,” United manager Jose Mourinho told BT Sport.
“After 14 matches we are in the final. If we win the Europa League I am more than happy. It would be amazing.”
Mourinho will have to do without influential centre-back Bailly, whose suspension leaves Chis Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind as United’s only available central defenders.
With Mourinho having publicly abandoned hope of a top-four finish in the Premier League, after his side fell four points off the Champions League berths, United’s season would have effectively been over had they gone out.
Instead they have a chance to add a second big trophy to the League Cup won in February and allow Mourinho to end a complicated maiden campaign as manager by winning the fourth major European honour of his career.
