MAN UNITED 1, CELTA VIGO 1
(United won 2-1 on aggregate)
Manchester United could best be described as stumbling into the final of the Europa League.
They were second best to Spanish side Celta Vigo in the second leg of their semi final, but somehow managed to find a way of making it to Stockholm.
Marouane Fellaini’s early goal proved decisive as the Reds spent most of the match in retreat and on the back foot as Celta enjoyed a remarkable 67-per-cent possession.
Celta’s undoing was the lack of a cutting edge as it took until the 85th minute before Facundo Roncaglia conjured an equaliser.
That set up a nerve-jangling finish as Celta went all out for a second goal that would have earned them a place in the final.
And in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time, Celta striker John Guidetti had the chance for glory but miss-kicked in front of goal.
The final whistle sounded seconds later as the players sank to the ground in disbelief and despair as they knew they were so close to reaching the final.
Unite manager Jose Mourinho spoke about the importance of the victory, while admitting his side was far from its best.
He said: “It means the opportunity to win a trophy, an opportunity to be back in the Champions League and an opportunity to end the season in the perfect way as it is the last match of the season.
“Manchester United had played other semi finals and finals of the Champions League so it was not the most important match in the history of the club and also for myself.
“I approached it as Celta would have done as it was the most important match in their history, and it was important we equalled that desire.
“When it was difficult and they were better than us and we were in trouble, that mentality, desire and togetherness made the boys fight to the end.”
Celta coach Ovidiu Hategan thought his side deserved victory over the two legs.
“Any defeat is bitter, but when we look back in the cold light of day, it confirmed what I though of my time. We had a fantastic season, but couldn’t turn the dream into a reality,” he said.
Sergio Romero kept his place in goal for the Europa League ahead of David De Gea as Mourinho kicked off with the side that started the first leg in Spain.
But there was eight changes from the side that began Sunday’s league game at Arsenal, Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera and Henrikh Mkhitaryan being the only survivors.
Celta began on the front foot and had a clear-cut chance to take the lead in the fourth minute when Iago Aspas cut in from the right and saw his goalbound shot well tipped over by Romero.
But it was United who took the lead in the 17th minute with their first clear-cut chance of the night.
Mkhitaryan on the left set up Marcus Rashford whose deep cross to the far post was headed home by Fellaini from six yards. Keeper Sergio Alvarez got his hand to the ball but could only push it on to the inside of the post.
Celta remained a threat and Romero was called upon again to tip over a drive from Pablo Hernandez.
Pione Sisto had a couple of decent goal attempts, the first an audacious chip that Romero caught under the crossbar.
Daniel Wass headed narrowly wide from a Sisto fiercely driven cross as Celta were intent on going down fighting in the event of losing the semi final.
United had a chance to double their lead soon after the restart when Fellaini set up Mkhitaryan whose 22-yard drive was well turned over the keeper Alvarez.
Celta, with two third possession, continued to drive forward and all that was missing was a cutting edge as Sisto crossed from the left for Guidetti fired wide.
United’s main threat was Rashford who weaved his way through the Celta defence only for Alvarez to make an important block.
Fellaini had another chance to find the net with an excellent shot on the turn that brought a decent save from Alvarez low down at his near post.
Substitute Jozabed had a 25-yard drive that flashed narrowly wide as Celta refused to concede defeat.
Guidetti headed wide from eight yards from a Mallo cross as he ought to have hit the target.
United made their first change with 13 minutes left when Mkhitaryan was replaced by Carrick.
Celta scored their equaliser after 85 minutes when Claudio Beauvue crossed from the right and Roncaglia glanced home a header from 10 yards.
Wayne Rooney immediately replaced Jesse Lingard as United went for the club captain’s vast experience at this critical juncture of the game.
There was an ugly melee moments later when Roncaglia appeared to throw a punch at Pogba and in the aftermath Reds’ defender Eric Bailly was sent off for his part as was Roncaglia.
United thought they had sealed victory after 94 minutes when Ander Herrera found the net, but Pogba was adjudged to have fouled Mallo as he tried to reach Fellaini’s cross before it diverted to Herrera.
There would be one final twist, however, when Celta flung one last ball into the box and Claudio Beauvue squared the ball to Guidetti who failed to control the pass as Celta’s last chance of glory disappeared.