Celta Vigo visit Old Trafford as they take on Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League Semi-Final clash. United edged out Vigo 1-0 in the first leg to gain an away goal advantage.
United come into the match on the back of a demoralising 2-0 away defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League. That defeat left them in the fifth place and four points from top four, confirming that winning the Europa League now looks like the only way to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Celta Vigo, just like their English counterparts, resume their European campaign following a crushing 3-0 defeat to Malaga in La Liga. The Spanish club, sitting 12th in the standings, do not have much to fight for on the domestic front and had the luxury to rest most of their first-teamers prior to this knockout match.
The Europa League is the main focus for both teams, however, all eyes would be on the English giants, who cannot afford to slip up in the competition. Jose Mourinho, in a pragmatic approach, stated that losing the match would mean that United aren’t good enough for the UCL. However, he did state that this time United “Want it more than Celta”. United would definitely want to advance to the final in Stockholm, where they’re very likely to face Ajax, who hold a 4-1 lead over Lyon. Celta, on the other hand, would be out as a David ready to slay a Goliath.
Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney have highlighted the importance of the result prior to the match, while Celta boss Eduardo Berizzo remains unfazed ahead of the intimidating tie. He has warned United by claiming that Celta are capable of doing the ‘impossible’, and are ready to give a perfect performance to win the tie.
Whatever happens, it’s certain that we’re in for a cracker of a match.
Personally, I feel that United should be able to see off their visitors and advance to the Stockholm final. They’ve got plenty of talent and quality to do so, that’s for sure. With that being said, I’d go for a comfortable 2-0 victory for the home side.
Manchester United
Squad – De Gea, Romero, Blind, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Tuanzebe, Darmian, Valencia, Carrick, Herrera, Pogba, McTominay, Willock, Fellaini, Martial, Rashford, Lingard, Mkhitaryan.
Injuries and Suspensions – Ibrahimovic, Rojo, Young, Fosu-Mensah, Shaw.
Celta Vigo
Squad – Alvarez, Villar, Mallo, Beauvue, Cabral, Roncaglio, Castro, Wass, Jozabed, Radoja, Hernandez, Aspas, Guidetti, Sisto, Gomez, Diaz, Fontas, Bongonda.
Injuries and Suspensions – Guiseppe Rossi, Ruben Blanco