Manchester United scraped through to the final of the Europa League after a 1-1 draw in the semifinal second leg ensured a 2-1 aggregate win over Celta Vigo
A jittery performance saw Manchester United edge past Celta Vigo by the slimmest of margins as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Thursday night. The result gave Manchester United a 2-1 aggregate win and ensured their progression into the final of the Europa League due to be played later this month.
It didn’t take long for Manchester United to grab a big foothold in the tie as Marouane Fellaini headed home the opener – which was also their second goal in the semifinal – after Marcus Rashford found him with a delightful pinpoint cross.
However, with just five minutes left in regulation time, Celta Vigo sent the home fans into jitters as Facundo Roncaglia tapped in the leveller. But, Jose Mourinho’s men hung on for the remainder of the match to earn the close aggregate victory over the Spanish opponents.
The result earned Manchester United a date in the final with Ajax, with the match set to be played in Stockhold on May 24. Here are the best tweets that emerged in the aftermath of the match
FT: #MUFC 1 Celta Vigo 1 (2-1 on aggregate).
We’re into the @EuropaLeague final! ??? #UEL pic.twitter.com/adQqVahP8A
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 11, 2017
Take Me Holm #MUFC pic.twitter.com/OZ1wGCe5kW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 11, 2017
Man Utd 1-1 (2-1 agg) Celta FT:
Shots: 11-16
Possession: 40%-60%
Chances created: 9-14
Pass accuracy: 77%-86%Man Utd through. Just. pic.twitter.com/fBVJofM59V
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 11, 2017
United celebrate reaching the final of the Europa League/UEFA Cup for the first time in their history. ?#UEL #UELfinal #MUFC pic.twitter.com/scAEyZIO4i
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 11, 2017
Manchester United fans were elated as the Red Devils reached their first Europa League final:
@ManUtd LOVE THIS CLUB. FOLLOW FOLLOW FOLLOW.. pic.twitter.com/t1CLQi3AyZ
— ㅤ (@VintageUtd) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @EuropaLeague Nós somos os Garotos de vermelho, Nós somos o famoso Manchester United.#MUFC ??? pic.twitter.com/aCB7NOE6iI
— Marco Red Devil ?? (@MarcoRedDevil) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @AFCAjax hell yeah. pic.twitter.com/TsnW6XftRw
— ROHIT BIJANI (@rohitbijani) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @EuropaLeague Fantastic our first ever Europa league/UEFA cup final, we’ve come all this way now we have to win this surely, buzzing for the final
— Shabaz (@DeadIyJuan) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @EuropaLeague Ajax here we come!!!
Sir Alex Ferguson’s philosophy was built around
“Edge of the Seat Stuff”Jose Mourinho’s
“Edge of the breathe Stuff”— Nabeel Hashmi (@HashmeNabeel) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd pic.twitter.com/GIn1Fn6i6j
— قابريال (@Gbrial_mu) May 11, 2017
Jose Mourinho was the toast of the Manchester United supporters following his celebration at the end of the match:
@ManUtd @EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/emNl76h947
— World Football GFX (@Fasn_Designs) May 11, 2017
Let’s be honest: Manchester United have played very tepid and dull football, but the mentality, thanks to Mourinho, is coming back.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) May 11, 2017
Photos: Mourinho celebrating #mulive [getty] pic.twitter.com/8JB1k3LtVv
— utdreport (@utdreport) May 11, 2017
Jose mourinho!!! ❤ @ManUtd @AnthonyMartial coz United r going to Stockholm ❤ pic.twitter.com/haD0fDHuia
— Katie Flynn (@Kate_flynn86) May 11, 2017
Mourinho’s first season has been decent. Taking in note that half of the his squad are Van Gaals players.
— ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ (@Utdology) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @EuropaLeague WE’RE GOING TO STOCKHOLM BOYS, I DON’T KNOW HOW WE DID IT BUT EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL, HERE WE COME pic.twitter.com/3qO1eUALnG
— José (@MourinhoMindset) May 11, 2017
Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini combined for the first goal and the duo were lauded by the Manchester United fans:
Marcus Rashford makes my heart happy ! So proud and happy
— Sadikshya Bhandari (@Sadikshya_) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @Fellaini Sweardown Rashford is NOT only 19 years old. No way. His decision making is top class.
— VincenzoMUFC (@VincenzoCenzo1) May 11, 2017
@Fellaini pic.twitter.com/Qvz2hVQOAv
— Ryan ? (@ClassicCantona) May 11, 2017
@Fellaini Zidane has your Posters in his Bedroom??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Mata’s Control (@iNaheemMUFC) May 11, 2017
Fellaini gets so much stick from fans including me but he got us to the final tonight with that goal! pic.twitter.com/60PxZzDgwS
— Boy Wonder Rashford (@RedRashford19) May 11, 2017
Fellaini ?✔️
Rashford Assist✔️
Europa League Final✔️
Mourinho the Boss ✔️#EuropaLeague / #MUFC?MANCHESTER UNITED WILL NEVER DIE ? pic.twitter.com/gaHC1Uve57
— Fergie’s Fledglings (@RedDevilTimes) May 11, 2017
@ManUtd @Fellaini Man of big occasions. Great spirit and effort despite abuses from plastic fans. Kudos, @Fellaini.
— Kuro Ansokubi (@_kuro_hime_) May 11, 2017
Thought Fellaini was excellent tonight, people are very quick to criticise him but will never give him credit when he plays well
— Sibs (@SibsMUFC) May 11, 2017
Marcus Rashford has scored or assisted each of United’s last 4 Europa League goals. Made in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/lVxN6EB68b
— MUSC Mumbai (@ManUtdMumbai) May 11, 2017
I swear man Fellaini has resilience. No wonder all our managers have chosen to keep him. Say what you want but he’s a fighter.
— Akash (@TheUnitedLink) May 11, 2017
Finally, Eric Bailly was a major talking point after his dismissal meant that the Ivorian will miss the final later this month:
Eric Bailly and Facundo Roncaglia have both been shown a red card and will miss the Europa League final should their sides make it. pic.twitter.com/uZxpnJia1e
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 11, 2017
With main man Bailly suspended for the final, Only one man can step up to the job pic.twitter.com/T4DzeSCQJE
— Sam ◢ ◤ (@VivaLaTuanzebe) May 11, 2017
Would love to know what made Bailly & Valencia flip out like that at the same time. Both are generally very calm.
— Doc MUFC (@Doc_Joshi) May 11, 2017
Bailly and Valencia aren’t the kind of players who would get into fights. John Guidetti must have said something not very nice. #UEL
— Aysha Ridzuan (@ayshardzn) May 11, 2017
I have this feeling Eric Bailly was racially abused. Dude is mostly calm but something triggered the beast in him
— B.H.Olamide (@midobanks) May 11, 2017
I’m hoping. Probably unjustifiably. That Bailly can get this rescinded. https://t.co/u4N1YN1RPO
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) May 11, 2017
Missing that sitter couldn’t have happened to a more deserving player after than pathetic play acting to get Bailly set off!
— SCHOLES (@iamscholes) May 11, 2017
Jose Mourinho on Eric Bailly’s red card: “We lose a very important player – and we don’t have many.” pic.twitter.com/mWAyKY15VT
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 11, 2017
Bailly being red carded and unavailable for the final only means one thing… pic.twitter.com/VbWRNhVA3t
— United girl (@_UnitedGirl_) May 11, 2017
Eager to hear why Bailly and Valencia both reacted furiously, at exactly the same time, to no physical aggression. Something riled them.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) May 11, 2017