Rome: Manchester United sealed a spot in the UEFA Europa league final despite losing 3-2 in a thriller against AS Roma, the Red Devils got past the Italians with an aggregate score of 8-5 on Thursday (May 6).
Edinson Cavani’s 39th minute strike at the Stadio Olimpico was the only positive for the visitors in a sluggish first-half as Roma created a hell lot of opportunities only to be denied by good goalkeeping from David de Gea as well as some poor finishing.
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However, the hosts turned up the heat later in game striking twice through Edin Dzeko and Bryan Cristante. The Red Devils cancelled the lead as Cavani completed his brace from Bruno Fernandes’s delivery before the eventual winner for the hosts came through Nicola Zalewski who’s volleyed effort ricocheted of Alex Telles beating De Gea at his near posts Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will now have their eyes on the final against Villarreal.
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In the other semi final, Villarreal played out a nerve-jangling draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London on a mute score line but their 2-1 first leg lead got them through to the final. This match was redemption for Unai Emery who returned to haunt the London club that sacked him back in 2019.
Pierre Emrick Aubameyang had a couple of chances to put the Gunners in front, but he struck the post in both of them. After scratchy first 45 minutes, Mikel Arteta’s side threw everything at the Yellow Submarine with Smith Rowe and Holding too went close to scoring but the visitors were very compact at the back throughout the game denying Arsenal any sort of space to work with. Paco Alcacer had the best chance for the visitors in the second half but his finishing was not up to the mark. However, it was enough for Villarreal to book a place in the final against Manchester United at the Stadion Miejski in Gdańsk, Poland.
