Manchester United and Celta Vigo have picked weakened teams in their league matches in search of back-door qualification for the Champions LeagueOlive branch of the week was handed out by Pep Guardiola after his side’s win over Crystal Palace, when the Manchester City manager said he hoped Manchester United would go all the way and win the Europa League because it would be amazing to have five English clubs in the Champions League next season.So it would, though looking around at the standard of competition in Europe, some are going to have to pull their socks up to make any more impression on the knockout stages than they managed this time. Monaco scored six goals against Manchester City, proceeding to...
After brushing aside Lyon in the Europa League semi-final first leg, the Dutch club can scent a chance of a first European trophy in 22 yearsIt is a cold Thursday morning at Ajax’s De Toekomst complex, where the canteen doubles as a trophy room, the sheer weight of football knowledge can be overwhelming, and the atmosphere is unsurprisingly buoyant after the events of the previous evening at the Amsterdam Arena. Nothing is being taken for granted but Ajax can be excused for feeling pleased with themselves after their stunning performance in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. These occasions are supposed to be cagey, cautious affairs and they have just torn up the script by beating a dangerous...
A moment of magic from Marcus Rashford covered for the fact that United’s strikers have struggled all season – backing up José Mourinho’s regular gripesFeyenoord, Fenerbahce, Zorya, St-Étienne, Rostov, Anderlecht and now Celta Vigo. Against their seventh different opponent from a seventh country Manchester United’s challenge was to finally produce the signature display that had eluded them on their travels.Do so in this Europa League semi-final first leg and José Mourinho’s side would make themselves firm favourites to reach the final at Solna’s Friends Arena in Stockholm later in May. Related: Marcus Rashford gives Manchester United crucial away win over Celta Vigo Related: Celta Vigo v Manchester United: Europa League semi-final first leg – as it happened Continue reading...
Ibrahimovic’s season might be over after he twisted a knee against Anderlecht but the injury allowed match-winner Marcus Rashford to switch to the centreThe final act of normal time featured the sad sight of Zlatan Ibrahimovic twisting his right knee and being taken off as the tie moved into extra time. Yet this would have a beneficial side effect for Manchester United with what happened in the 107th minute of the contest.Ibrahimovic’s exit meant a reshuffle as on came Anthony Martial, who took Marcus Rashford’s wide-left berth, with the No19 becoming centre-forward – and his deflected left-foot finish took his side into the Europa League semi-finals. Related: Marcus Rashford’s extra-time winner takes Manchester United through Related: Manchester United 2-1 Anderlecht...
Mauricio Pochettino’s side showed the kind of intensity required for a Europa League comeback but fell short after their midfielder’s red card against GentA Spursified Wembley felt like an incongruous setting for a Thursday night in the company of the eighth-best side in Belgium. Then again, that was precisely the kind of sniffy attitude that Tottenham Hotspur had to leave at the door if they were going to avoid another continental embarrassment. They have reached a point in their development where anything less than absolute commitment in the Europa League is impossible to defend, for all that football at their temporary European home was supposed to involve glamour ties against Barcelona and Real Madrid instead of the relative modesty of...