Utd dedicate win to terror victims
AT THE FRIENDS ARENA ANCHESTER United pulled together in their city’s time of darkness, showing no little skill and spirit to overcome Ajax and win the Europa League.
Less than 48 hours after a terror attack killed 22 people and injured many more at Manchester Arena, the club’s fans, players and staff stood unbowed in Stockholm.
United embraced the spirit shown by the city they represent, with Jose Mourinho’s men winning the final with goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan securing a 2-0 triumph.
Afterwards, Pogba dedicated the victory to the victims of the attack.
“We know that things like this are very sad, all over the world: in Manchester, in London and in Paris, too.
“We had to focus because it was a very important game and we won for them and for the country.We played for England, we played for Manchester, and we played for the people who died.”
Referring to the cup win, which earns United a place in the Champions League, Pogba added: “We knew we were going to play in the Europa League and the goal was to win the Europa League. We did it,
Mso we’re very proud. Some say we had a bad season but the prize is here. We worked hard and we’ll enjoy it now. now.”
Mkhitaryan was s happy to fulfil his colleagues’ es’ prophecies after helping g the Red Devils reach the Stockholm tockholm showpiece with th five European goals.
“Thank you to o my team-mates beecause without t them I couldn’t score so many goals,” he said.
“I’m happy that I scored here today in the final because everyone was saying, ‘You’re going to score in the final’ and after the last game against Celta Vigo I was dream dreaming about scoring in the final and I di did.” Juan Mata added: “I “It’s massive for us. W We came here with one option – to win the trophy that the club had never won and we did it so we ar are happy. “It was a great fin nal and my first E European final with United, hopefully the first of many. “Especially after what happened in Manchester we wanted to win this and we’ll bring the trophy back.
“It was a very difficult week for a lot of us and for the city of Manchester and we tried to win for all the people who have suffered. This trophy is for them.”
NERVES were settled at the Friends Arena when Pogba – playing in his second match since his father Fassou Antoine died aged 79 – opened the scoring.
Neat play down the right ended with Pogba collecting the ball on the edge of the box. The Frenchman took a low 20-yard shot that deflected off Davinson Sanchez, wrongfooting goalkeeper Andre Onana and rippling the back of the net.
The goal was just reward for a bright start that soon tapered off, only for Mourinho’s men to return impressively from the break.
Just three minutes after the restart Chris Smalling rose to meet a corner from the right, heading on for Mkhitaryan to acrobatically lift into the roof of the net.
Ajax’s callow side – the youngest in a major European final – were unable to find a way back as United added to this season’s EFL Cup and Community Shield triumphs.