So in the end it was almost the same score as the 2007 Quarter Final second leg of the Champions League match at Old Trafford (7-1). It could so easily have been. Edinson Cavani could have had a hat trick, although he is my Man of the Match as he grabbed a brace, he made the assists for two of the other three goals and was the player fouled by Chris Smalling for United’s penalty. For the record, Bruno Fernandes is now only the third player in Manchester United’s history to score 20+ penalties, after Ruud van Nistelrooy (28) and Wayne Rooney (27), taking United on the brink of another Europa League final.
This was the 18th European semi-final for Manchester United. It was the Reds’ second meeting with a Serie A side this season, after dispatching Roma’s Serie A rivals AC Milan in the round of 16. United have now only lost one of their last 13 games against Italian opponents in European competition (W9 D3).
Manchester United have scored six goals in a single match in European competition for the first time since netting seven against this same side in April 2007, taking control of the semi-final. They cannot now fail to make it to the Final. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a step further in hoping to win his first trophy as United manager and knows his only hope of silverware this season lies with success in Europe. Who the Reds will meet once they progress is still open, Arsenal now play at home to Villareal, but with a 1-2 deficit. But next up Liverpool on Sunday. Bring them on.
Article contributed by Contributor Kenneth. Comments are appreciated on our Facebook page.