Mourinho brands Bailly ‘naive’ over sending-off

Jose Mourinho branded Eric Bailly “naive” for being ruled out of the Europa League final after Manchester United’s progress was marred by the defender’s red card.

Bailly’s late dismissal was the only sour note on what proved a tense but triumphant night as Celta Vigo were overcome.

“I didn’t see the red-card incident but Bailly was phenomenal,” Mourinho told BT Sport. “The game was emotional for everyone. Some kept control better than others.

“Facundo Roncaglia is not new in these situations, Bailly was probably naive. We now lose a very important player for the final, and we don’t have many.”

Mourinho says lifting the Europa League can now ensure the perfect end to his first season at Old Trafford. United will face Ajax in Stockholm on May 24, seeking the one trophy that has eluded them in an illustrious history.

It was a nervous, at times chaotic, finale after Celta equalised on the night after 85 minutes and two players – Bailly and Roncaglia – were sent off.

Mourinho was relieved his side progressed 2-1 on aggregate, attributing the nervous closing stages to United’s failure to finish the tie sooner, especially after they had dominated the first leg last week.

“After 14 matches, we are in the final. If we win the Europa League, I am more than happy. It would be amazing,” he said.

“It means there is an opportunity to win a trophy, an opportunity to be back in the Champions League, and it means an opportunity to end the season in a perfect way because a final is the last match of the season.

“Obviously, Manchester United have had other semi-final and finals and Champions League finals. Obviously, this was not the most important match in the history of the club, or myself, but it is a way to approach things.

“For Celta, it was the most important game of their history and it was important for us we equalled that desire and, in the end, when the game was difficult and they were better than us and we were in trouble and not playing well, that desire, that mentality and that togetherness made the boys fight.”

United had to ride their luck in the final stages, but over the two legs Mourinho felt his side deserved victory.

“We suffered until the end and it was open until the last second. The boys gave everything they had. I’m really pleased for them.”