FANS CAN FIRE MAN U TO FINAL, SAYS HERRERA

Herrera wants big show of support at Old Trafford for Celta Vigo showdown

ANDER Herrera wants Manchester United’s supporters to turn Old Trafford into a cauldron when his side look to complete victory over Celta Vigo in today’s Europa League semifinal return leg.

Marcus Rashford’s sweet second-half free-kick brought United a 1-0 win in last week’s first leg, putting Jose Mourinho’s side within touching distance of the final in Stockholm on May 24.

But although United have gone 17 European home games without defeat, Celta have scored in all six of their Europa League away matches this season and Herrera said everyone in United red would have to be on their game.

“They have scored away in every game they’ve played in the competition, so we have to be aware of that,” the Spanish midfielder said.

“They are a very good team, very dangerous when they play away, and we will need our fans at home.

“We really need them to create a good atmosphere, a difficult atmosphere for the opponents, who can push us to be in the final.

“It’s not going to be easy.” United have never won the Europa League and are bidding to reach a first continental final since their 3-1 loss to Barcelona at Wembley in the deciding match of the 2010-11 Champions League.

But while success in Europe’s second-tier competition will complete United’s collection of trophies, what motivates them above all is the place in next season’s Champions League that Europa League success would yield.

Mourinho has openly abandoned United’s hopes of securing the top-four finish in the Premier League that would open the door to the Champions League.

He made eight changes to his starting XI for last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, which brought an end to United’s 25-game unbeaten league run and left them four points below fourth-placed Manchester City.

Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Antonio Valencia, Paul Pogba and Rashford are among the players expected to return for United today.

Celta need not look far for inspiration, having overcome a 1-0 home defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk to prevail 2-1 on aggregate in the last 32.

They can also call on a cup pedigree that saw them overcome Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of this season’s Copa del Rey.

Picture: AFP APPEAL TO FANS: Manchester United’s Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera falls during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 7. Herrera has called for a big turnout at Old...