Pogba, Fellani beef up United

> Injuries easing as duo strenghten team targetting Europa League final

MANCHESTER UNITED’S INJURY situation is easing as their bid to join an elite group of clubs who have won all the major European trophies continues with a Europa League semifinal against Celta Vigo tomorrow morning.

United travel to Spain for the first-leg after Ajax hosted Olympique Lyon in the opening tie overnight of the other last four clash.

The Dutch four-time European champions are one of four clubs – along with Juventus, Bayern Munich and Chelsea – United are looking to join in having won the European Champions’ Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup/Europa League.

And United manager Jose Mourinho expects to have Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini back for the trip.

Spaniard Juan Mata could also be involved after injury but Mourinho will have to wait on news of Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly, who suffered injuries in the weekend’s home draw with Swansea.

Mata warned United should not underestimate the challenge of Celta despite their modest 11th placing in the domestic league. Paul Pogba (left) and Marouane Fellani. haven’t got Zlatan there forever.”

Owen envisions a situation where Ibrahimovic takes up his one-year option with the club that would allow Rashford to grow naturally into United’s eventual first choice No.9 rather than be usurped by another big name signing.

“Rashford needs Jose to give him the ultimate belief and say ‘right you are going to be my man, you are going to be it’,” he added. “If he doesn’t think that just yet then the last thing he needs is for Jose to buy someone who will be there for the long term.” – The Independent

“I can say, without exaggerating, that they are one of the teams that play better football in Spain, and not only this season,” he said.

“Being back home will be special, but very difficult at the same time. We must perform at our best in order to beat them.”

Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is absent with a season-ending knee injury.

Celta Vigo go into their first-ever appearance in a European last four off the back of a 3-0 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao following heavy squad rotation.

There is consolation, however, in how rested some of his best players will be. Top scorer Iago Aspas was an unused substitute in the defeat and coach Eduardo Berizzo has no new injury worries ahead of the game.

“We have to be very together and we have to have to focus on the result that we all want very much,” Berizzo said.

“We are up against a great team but we have to redouble our efforts to make the dream a reality. Let’s hope it is a very special night.” – dpa