The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fernandes on the mark as Red Devils hit Roma for six
Manchester United ran amok against Roma once again as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s comeback kings triumphed 6-2 and took a giant stride towards the Europa League final last night.
Having fallen short in four semi-finals in the last two seasons, the Red Devils were looking to underline their progress by reaching their first final under the 1999 treble hero.
Solskjaer was part of the side that thrashed Roma 7-1 in 2007 and oversaw another famous victory against the Giallorossi as United took charge of the semi-final.
Bruno Fernandes got the first leg off to a dream start at Old Trafford, only for Lorenzo Pellegrini to swiftly level and exmanchester City striker Edin Dzeko give Paulo Fonseca’s side a shock halftime lead.
But United have dug deep to bounce back time and time again this season, with Cavani inspiring the latest comeback when smashing home a superb leveller just minutes into the second half.
The veteran put Solskjaer’s men ahead after an error by substitute Antonio Mirante, before Fernandes added a penalty and Paul Pogba headed home.
Mason Greenwood came off the bench to add gloss on a night when Roma’s three first-half injuries took their toll in a dramatic encounter.
The Serie A side will be hugely disappointed with the way things unravelled, especially after responding so well to Jordan Veretout’s early injury and Fernandes’ fine ninth-minute opener.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport: “No I don’t feel the job is done but it was a good job done. We did well but we know they have quality.
“They scored two goals from the two chances we gave them. They didn’t have loads of chances against Ajax.
“The second half was very good.”
Arsenal kept alive their hopes of reaching the Europa League final as a Nicolas Pepe penalty gave the 10-man visitors an away goal in defeat at Villarreal.
The first leg of this semifinal clash appeared to be getting away from the Gunners as first-half goals from Manuel Trigueros and Raul Albiol preceded a Dani Ceballos red card just before the hour.
But Pepe would convert from the spot to send Arsenal home with a 2-1 deficit, Villarreal having also been reduced to 10 men late on following the dismissal of former Tottenham man Etienne Capoue.
This is Arsenal’s third Europa League semi-final in four years but they have only made the final once in that time – under current Villarreal boss Unai Emery, who looked to be getting one over his former club as the hosts made a flying start.
Trigueros opened the scoring with just five minutes on the clock, driving home a low effort after indecision in the Arsenal box allowed Samuel Chukwueze to play in his team-mate.
Mikel Arteta was left ashen-faced as the lead was doubled before the halfhour, Albiol turning home at the back post as Arsenal failed to get anywhere near to a routine corner.