Manchester United booked their spot in the 2017 Europa League final after recording a 2-1 aggregate win over Celta Vigo in the second leg of their semi-final at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Red Devils took a one-goal advantage into the return match after winning in Vigo last week, and Jose Mourinho’s side ensured that they would make the final with a 1-1 draw in the second leg, which produced two red cards late on.
The 20-time English champions will take on Ajax in the final of the competition in Stockholm on May 24, with the winner gaining an automatic spot in the group stage of the 2017-18 Champions League.
A positive start from Celta saw the away side come close to registering in the fourth minute of action, but Sergio Romero was on hand to make a brilliant save from Aspas, who had danced past Darmian and Daley Blind before curling one towards the top corner.
Man United make the breakthrough in the 17th minute when Rashford found a yard of space in a forward position before delivering a sensational far-post cross onto the head of Fellaini, who used his neck muscles to fire the ball past Sergio Alvarez.
The Red Devils might have doubled their lead in the period that followed as Mkhitaryan and Lingard both had efforts from dangerous positions, but the former’s volley was over the crossbar, before the latter’s effort deflected just over Celta’s goal.
The away side’s best chance to get on the scoresheet in the first period came in the 42nd minute when Sisto danced into a wide position before fizzing a cross onto the head of Daniel Wass, but the midfielder’s effort flew wide of the post as Man United took a 2-0 aggregate lead into the half-time interval.
The pressure from the Spanish side was relentless, and Celta had one back in the 85th minute when Roncaglia headed a Theo Bongonda cross into the bottom corner, setting up a grandstand finish.
Bailly and Roncaglia were then both sent off in the 88th minute after a clash which involved both sets of players in the middle of the park, with Guidetti going down under contact from Bailly, and Roncaglia handed a red card for his reaction. The pair had to be separated again leaving the field, but play continued into six additional minutes.
Celta had a wonderful chance to break Man United hearts in the 97th minute when Claudio Beauvue found Guidetti inside the box, but the striker could not convert under pressure as the Red Devils squeezed through to the final following an incredible finish to proceedings at Old Trafford.
